THE HOLIDAY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8877, 2 January 1890, Page 5

THE HOLIDAY.

The old year, was seen out and the new one ushered in much in the same way as that very interesting obligation is usually recognised, but-rather more quietly than has happened during the last few years. From an early hour-in the evening bands of young men and boys, afflicted with a mild form of lunacy, paraded the streets singing appropriately foolish songs, apd in other ways behaving themselves according to their limited tastes. Also there were numerous amiteur Christy minstrels (fired, perhaps, with emulation of Mr Charles Hugo), who walked about in most humorous style. As the very witching hour of raidnight arrived ■ these ribald spirits became more exnbarant, until, when the town clocks struck twelve and the ships’ bells at the wharves began a vigorous peal, they were appreciablyjnoisy. Apart from these gentlemen there were many more sober-minded people, who had stayed to see (in their mind’s eye) the New Year in, and also to observe the Fire Brigade’s torchlight procession. The procession staited from the Manners-street station shortly after 12 o’clock, headed by Mr Jenkins’ band, and marched up Taranaki-street, thence by way of Ingestre, • Cuba, and Mannersstreets to Lambton-quay and Molesworthstreet, and back to the station. The only tableau was that representing the muchmaligned Darktown Fire Brigade, but that one was excellently contrived and managed. The march of the procession was enlivened all along the route by a display of coloured fire and rockets. In Taranaki-street an accident involving about £IOO worth .of damage happened. Some boys were getting off crackers, and one of those pyrotschnioal luxuries got into the vehicle which carried the coloured fire. The. result was the destruction of a great deal of stuff, and the cart was also damaged. The horse was got out of the shafts uninjured, but the procession was greatly delayed, and the display of fireworks along the route was not what it otherwise would have been. The chimes of St. Peter’s rang out merrily soon after midnight, and other bells were also pealed in honour of the occasion. Of fireworks there were comparatively few. Some of the vessels at the wharves sent up a few reckets and burned coloured fires ; but the display of the enterprising Fiockton was most notable. On the whole the New Year was ushered in with due respect, and perhaps with less Jlarrikinism than there has been for a long time. Contrary to general expectation the big gun on Mount Victoria was not fired as the old year died out and the new one was born. NEW YEAR’S DAY. The new year came in cloudy and somewhat chilly, with every probability of rain before the day closed. At an early hour the streets were lively with excursion parties, wending their way in various directions. Toward noon heavy rain clouds passed over town, and about 1 o’clock heavy peals of thunder were heard in the distance, but no rain fell In town. At Pitone and up the Hutt Valley a sharp shower of rain and hail accompanied a severe thunderstorm about 1 o’clock. Rain also fell up the Manawatu district, but at Lowry Bay, not very far distant from Pitone, only a few drops were noticed, and than the sun shone out brilliantly in a beautiful blue sky. Toward 5 o’clock the clouds again gathered over, and between that hour and 6 o’clock rain fell heavily, oansing considerable discomfort to the holiday makers, many of whom got drenched. Rain fell at intervals during the whole of the evening. With the exoept’on of a couple of boating casualties, reported in another column, no'serious accident occurred-to mar the day’s pleasure, THE CAUSDONIAN SPORTS. The Basin Reserve was crowded during the day, and a very pleasant gathering was thoroughly enjoyed. The results qf the sports will be found elsewhere. In the evening the Caledonian, Society’s concert in the Theatre Royal was well patronised. the Druids’ picnic. The Druids’ annual picnic is always a most enjoyable gathering, and yesterday’s proved no exception to the general rule. The steamers Stormblrd, Mana and fluia commenced running to Lowry Bay soon after 9 o’clock, and from that time till late in the afternoon each trip the boats were crowded. At the Bay Jenkins’ brass band played during the day some choice selections of popular muaio. Swings were erected for the young people, and were exceedingly well pat roni-ed, more especially by the fair sex. Races for the youngsters, with any amount of toys as prizes, were provided. ■ One great attraction was a baby show, for which there were sixteen entries. The judges were Mesdames Richards and Rollo, Captain Jones (of the s.s. Mans), Messrs H. Lepper and Gell. The Rev Joseph Berry also gave some assistance. The competition for the prizes was very keen, as the babies were so much on a par. The prizes were allotted as follows .-—Finest all round baby (girl), Silva Dunstan, aged three months, first prize £2 ; prettiest baby, Annie Dnon, 12 months, second prize £1 ; lightest baby, Robert Norwell, IIJ months, third priza 10s. Mr Gell, in making the announcement of the awards, said be believed it was impossible to get finer specimens of babyhosd than were shown that day. WESLEYAN PICNIC. ' The Wesleyan Sunday Schools held a piohio in Epuni’a paddock at Pitone. About 1000 children and their friends were pieaent. Plenty of amusements in the shape of races and games were provided, anfi a thorougbly pleasant outing would have been enjoyed had it not been for the heavy rainfall which drenched to the skin many of the pleasuretakers. PICNIC AND GARDEN FAIR. A picnic and garden fair was held in the Rev Father Lane’s grounds at the Lower Hutt, and passed off. Very successfully. There was a very large' attendance, and all kinds of novel, games were arranged for the children.. There was - also on the ground a Pandora box, the proceeds from which will amount to a. considerable sum, to be devoted to the building fund of St, Joseph’s Orphanage. The several races were conducted by Mr J. Robinson, who was assisted by Father McNamara. Slight rain fell during the day, and this had the effect of preventing a considerable number from attending. Mach praise is due to Father Lane for bis unremitting attention to those present.’ Upward of 500 tickets were sold, and after expenses have been paid It is expected there will be a handsome snm to hand over in aid of the building fund. During the day a band on the ground played some excellent selections of mnsic, which greatly enlivened the proceedings. RAILWAY TRAFFIC. The Government line had a largo share of patronage yesterday. About 1000 upconntry visitors came into town, including 150 from the upper Wairarapa district. In the morning, the first train north took out 300 passengers for Wairarapa stations, and and there were daring the day about 1500 passengers to the Lower Hntt in addition to tnose conveyed to the Warleyan picnic at Pitone. The Manawatu railway also conveyed large numbers of visitors to the Marions upcountry pleasure resorts. The morning through train to Palmerston .was well patronised. The 10 a. tn. train was the largest ever sent by the Company, consisting of a long line of cars drawn'by three engines, About 1000 visited Plimmerton, and some 800 or 900 children were conveyed to Crofton and Khandallah. Paikakatiki and Otaki were also visited by large numbers. The early down train brought a good many conntry visitors to town.-The train arrange.

meats on both lines were well managed, and no accident is reported. Although the town has been unusually fall of visitors, and plenty of money has been spent, .very little drunkenness has been seen, and the town has been in a respectable state of quietness. ■' -The Theatre and Opera Honae last night were well patronised, the latter being crowded. > ' - . ■ (VROIf OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.' Mastertos, January 1. The Caledonian. Society’s sports were attended by about 1800. The Society’s Handicap was won by F. Cooper, of Blenheim. The chief interest, however,'centred in the wrestling, in which Simeon, a local champion, was beaten by Ham, a Canterbury Maori. (per press association.) Oamaru, January 1. The annual games of the Caledonian Society began to-day. The weather was boisterous, bat notwithstanding this and counter attractions the attendance was large. Bicycle races were the principal events. The maiden bicycle was won by Lawson, the two- miles safely by J. Mitchell, the two mile roadster by T. Watson, and three miie roadster by T. Watson. The other events were fairly well contested. Christchurch, Janaary 1. New Year’s Eve passed off here with very little demonstration. No larrikioism is reported. To-day 60CO people went to witness the regatta, bat the wet weather which prevailed spoilt the sport. Timaru, January 1. The Caledonian games (first day) were held in cold, showery weather. Two thousand five hundred were present. The games generally were well contested. New Year's Eve passed off very quietly. Dunedin, January 1. The atrocious weather to-day pat a stop to all amusements, rain, with heavy gusts of wind prevailing during the day. The Caledonian sports were postponed. Auckland. January 1. To-day. beside the races at Ellorslie Water, excursions and picnics were held. _ The weather was unfavourable, occasional showers falling and cold winds blowing.