"LETTING IN" THE NEW YEAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6590, 1 January 1883, Page 5

"LETTING IN" THE NEW YEAR

■ The ushering in of the new year of ISS3 should be long remembered ts one of the most pleasurable yet witnessed in this city— pleasurable from the fact that with it it has brought contentment and happiness to all— contentment from the fact that in all directions are to be noticed signs of prosperity and happiness, and an absence of the worry and care consequent upon dull times and scarcity of work. The new year has opened most promisingly. In almost every household, we feel sure, the " firstfoot " has been most welcome, and has felt to be the arbinger of a happy new year and prosperous times All our industries are busily and profitably at work. The timber and other trades are as brisk as it is possible for them to be, and business generally is of a sound and healthy nature. Ib various directions arc promises of new industries to be started during the year, and with the country in a prosperous condition, we feel confident when next we are called upon to usher in another new year we shall be able to still further congratulate ourselves upon the steady progress made, the promise of which was given with the birth of the year ISS3. The new year was " let in" with the customary greetings and hilarity. When the "?kirts of the departing year" had finally disappeared, the usual rejoicings took place, t.nd the streets were | thronged with a lively and vocal crowd, who did not disperse for several hours. THE WHARF. From an early hour last evening Qneenstreet presented quite a lively appearance, on account of the large number of people who were promenading up and down the footpaths. A3 the night advanced this large crowd began to wend its way to the Queenstreet Wharf, all evidently in expectation of witnessing the visual display of fireworks sent off from the various vessels in harbour. By eleven o'clock there must have been fully 1500 persons on the wharf, and as the hour .of midnight approached this number had increased to fully 2000 people. As twelve o'clock drew near the excitement amongst the crowd gradually increased, and as the last clang of the town clock was heard tolling out the hour of midnight mutual wishes of " Happy New Year " could be heard in every direction. At the same time the first vessel to take up the note of welcome to the New Year was the p.s. Enterprise, whose bell was set going at a speed that must have fairly scared the not generally timid master of that vessel. The s.s. Hero gave the signal for the display of fireworks by the firing of her signal gun, and the other vessels quickly took up the signal; and what with the ships' bells ringing, blue lights, and rockets, the New Year received a hearty welcome, whilst the Binging of " Auld Lang Syne," and other songs by different parties, and the music of the Naval Band which paraded the wharf, added much to the joyous time. To the Union Company's steamship Hero must be given the palm for the display of fireworks. The Wetliersfield, Antares, and the Gronsvair ably aided the efforts of the first named vessel to suitably receive the new born 18S3. The steamers of the Northern S.S. Company were conspicuous for their vigorous bell ringing. At about 1 o'clock tlie display of fireworks ceased, and parties of seamen sallied forth from the different vessels and paraded the wharf and Queenstreet, singing merry songs until a late hour this morning. By about 2 o'clock the wharf was again almost deserted, except by the parties just mentioned, and the New Year was left to gather strength in comparative quietude.