EASTER HOLIDAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17139, 19 April 1919, Page 10

EASTER HOLIDAYS.

GOOD FRIDAY OBSERVED.

OUTDOOR RECREATIONS.

LARGE NUMBERS ABROAD. The wcathor was fine but dull for Good Friday, the first day of the Easter holidays. The morning dawned bright and clear, but early in the forenoon heavy clouds began to appear, and the occasions on which the sun shone out warmly and brightly were very few. Notwithstanding, many hundreds of residents of the i Auckland city and suburbs, as well as visitors to the city, spent the day in the open. Owing to the fact that the tram- ' way service was completely suspended the city streets presented an unusually calm aspect, and the main thoroughfares were throned by larger crowds of pedestrians than is usual on holidays. Several hundreds of people left by steamer, launch, and yacht for the various resorts of the Waitemata Harbour and Haurakl Gulf. , The tramway picnic and popular ex* 1 cursion to Motutapu, attracted a great many people. Ihe Auckland centres' bowling tournament was commenced, and the games were witnessed by large numbers of people, including many visitors from thp country. Many lovers of sport attended tho cricket test match at the , Domain, and private picnics were held j in the open spots of tho city, the Domain, | and parks. j The Presbyterian Girls' Bible-classes'' Union for th d Auckland district is holding i an Easter camp in St. Paul's Hall, Devonport. There arc some 120 eirls present, and' the camp, the second of its kind, pro* mises to be a great success. Church Services. Special services were conducted at many of the churches yesterday morning. At St. Mary's Cathedral the morning servico was taken by Archdeacon MacMun'ay, and j the three-hour devotions by Bishop | Avorill. The Rev. W. E. Gill&m con-1 ; ducted morning services a* St. Matthew's, i I and an address was given by the Rev. J. I Calder in _ tho evening. Ante-communion j I and devotional services at St Paul's, were j taken by Itbe Rev. C. A. Watson. An , adwess, accompanying the showing of lantern-slides depleting scones of tho Passion, was given at St. Paul's in the evening, the weather being too uncertain fto permit of the open-air meeting in- ! tended. Special services were hold at the , Beresford Street Congregational Chutcli, .The Rev. F. Warner gave an address on tho j Passion as an inspiration to heroic virtue, and special music was given by organist and choir. Good Friday services were also held all St. Sepulchre's, All Saints', and other churches. Recital of Stored Music. A recital of sacred musio was given last night at St. Matthew's Church, being attended by the largest congregation which has ever gathered at this annual sacred concert. The anthem, " Turn Thy Face From My Sins," was given by the choir, tho solo in which was taken by Master Cyril Kelleway. Madame Bella Russell sang Attwood's beautiful solo, i " There is a Green Hill Far Away " and "0 Divine Redeemer." The recit. and air, "A New Commandment." was given by Mr. T. W. Brough, who also took part in the duet, "So Thou Liftest Thy Divine Petition," with Mr. C. Mountain. Tho latter singer was also heard in the solo, " King Ever Glorious." Mr. Arthur Towsey gave as an organ solo Chopin's " Marche Funcbrc," and the anthem, " 0 Saviour of the World," by Cross, was sung by the choir. All tho items were well rendered, and the recital greatly enjoyed by those, present. Dur. ing the servico a collection was taken up in aid of the poor of tho parish.