CHRISTMASTIDE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18746, 27 December 1922, Page 5

CHRISTMASTIDE

CELEBRATIONS AT HOME. MARRED BY INCESSANT RAIN. GATHERING OF ROYALTY. Press Association—By Telegraph— Copyright LONDON, December 25. The Royal Family at Sandringham is spending Christmas on simple, happy, old English lines, though on a larger scale probably than ever before, owing to the size of the gathering, which includes their Majesties, Queen Alexandra, the Prince of Wales, Prince Henry, the Princesses Royal, Maud, and Victoria, the Dowager Empress of Russia, Queen Olga of Greece, and the King, Queen, and Crown Prince of Norway.—A. and N.Z. Cable. (Received Dec. 26, at 8.15 p.m.) Christmas Day here was chiefly distinguished by incessant rain. In the morning it began\ to drizzle, and the afternoon brought a downpour The West End and city streets generally were deserted,- except for an occasional policeman and an equally occasional churchgoer. The train and omnibus services had been reduced, and taxi drivers elected to take a holiday until the evening, when prospects of carrying fares to the hotels for gala dinners brought them into evidence. All the leading hotels were gaily decorated, and these which secured fin extension of the hours during which wine and spirits, could be served were well patronised, but those which offered the extra attraction of good bands and dancing floors fared better; otherwise the city seemed quiet and closed within itself. The Royal Family, with the exception of Prince George, who Is ill, were present at the Christmas dinner at Sandringham. The Palace guests included King Haakon and Queen Maude of Norway and the Dowager Queen Louise of Denmark.—A. and N.Z. Cable. AMERICAN CELEBRATIONS. NINE PERSONS SHOT. NEW YORK, December 25. (Received Dec. 26. at 8.15 p.m.) Nine persons were shot in Christmas rows to-day in various places in the United States. A telegram from Seattle states that a ferry boat operator who was temporarily crazed invaded the home of a citizen and killed three of the latter’s children. He then shot himself, dying later. At Louisville (Kentucky) a woman shot a .man in her apartment and kept an allnight vicril over him. i According to a TJniontown (Pennsylvania) despatch four men were shot during Christmas celehParions in a local mining region.—A. and N.Z. Cable FESTIVAL AT DOORN. HOHENZOLLERNS FORGATHER NEW YORK, December 25. (Received Dec. 26, at 8.15 p.m.) The New York Times's Doom correspondent states that the ex-Kaiser celebrated Christmas in something like the former Imperial style. The so-called Goblin Hall of his residence was ‘decorated hv a huge Christmas tree cut by the hx-Kaiser and adorned by his bride. The Crown Prince and the ex-Kaiser’s grandsons attended the feast. The children presented Wilhelm with a de luxe bound copy of his own book. Carols were snng after dinner, in which the personnel were allowed to join. The ex-Kaiser led the singing in a lusty voice. A special service was held in the private chapel. Wilhelm, dispensing with the services of the chaplain, officiated himself. —A. and N.Z. Cable. GERMAN CHILDREN. GUESTS OF ANGLO-AMERICAN SOLDIERS. BERLIN, December 25. (Received Dec. 26, at 8.15 p.m.) Thousands of German children were the guests of the British and American armies in the occupied regions of Germany. The children, who were led by their school teachers, received packages containing clothing, food, toys, and candy. The army bands furnished music.—A. and N.Z. Cable. CHRISTMAS IN RUSSIA. SOVIET’S INSTRUCTIONS. RELIGIOUS ELEMENT BANNED. LONDON, December 22. The Soviet has officially issued instructions forbidding the decoration of Christmas trees with religious emblems, especially figures of angels or anything recalling a religious festival. On the contrary, the people were ordered to emphasise the heathen origin of the festival. The Soviet Press hopes that the Christian Christmas will be replaced by a general carnival, including masquerades and fireworks. —A. and N.Z. Cable.