THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1834, 14 January 1887, Page 31

THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.

• f ; 'new; year's eve. Down on the bay the lights of ships . Twinkled in gleaming red, And In the soft and sil -nt sky ; 1 The' white stars shone o'erhead. ; A murmur of the city's noi«» Was wafted to » he hill— The passing tound of bell or band ;—; — Else everything was still. The sile -'t forest murmured not Of summers it Had Known ; There was'no wind to stir the leavei,

To whisper what was gone ; And far away, and near at hand, The quiet; peaks re<uv d dim, And on the stones the lapping waves

Murmured their new year's hymn. We stood, a group of new-made friends, And waited for the bell That from the tower would presently Sound out the o]d year's knell ; Then hands would clasp and pleasant words

Frame wishes kind and true, ' But I slipped quietly from the rest To thinK, alone, of you. I stood beside the garden seat ; Below, the city's light Gleamed brightly, and bright rockets shot Into the moonltaa night ; I clasped my handB — Mv thought was prayer; Bells tolled— l did not move ; Then with the last long stroke of twelve I Bald "God bless, my love." Seas rolled between— yet in that hour, What d'stance could divide ? , . But my chenk paled with the thought " Not him I stand beside." All brightness vanished from the hour, Even my peace was gone ; And though the friendly voices called I wished myself alone. So many years— so many years We watched in— hand iv hand t So many grleis and jo> s they brought, And now ? Apart we stand. Shall we before the year has flown

Have light that meeting throws ? Or shall we farther be apart, And heed it not— who knows ?

— Aijck.

THE SCENE IN TOWN ON SEW YEAR'S EVE was a lively one. A dense crowd thronged the streets, making progress through them a difficult matter. The windows were brilliantly lighted, and as on Christmas Eve were arranged in most attractive form. Hundreds were in from the country, and bronzed faces were smiling on all sides, as window after window attracted notice.

As the chimes told off the quarters, bringing the New Year closer and closer to its birth, the noise and excitement in the city increased, and from the hills on the still air could be heard the distant hum of thousands of busy tongues and feet, and the noise of traffic, fireworks, and strains of music. Then, when the last note of twelve sounded, rockets shot, up into the sky in all directions, and signs of rejoicing were visible on every hand.

For those so disposed were the midnight services solemn and impressive ; to lovers of music " The Messiah" gave pleasure ; and at the theatre " The Magistrate" delighted lovers of fun. At these various places hundreds spent the earlier portion of the evening, but when the New Year came in hand was clasped in hand, old enmities were forgotten, old hopes renewed, and glad good wishes indulged in on every side.

High up into the sky bright rockets shot, and the sounds of rejoicing were audible on every hand. Traffic did not cease in the streets until some hours past midnight, the late trams being crowded to excess. Silence had scarcely settled upon the city when daylight woke the birds, and the rising sun glittered and sparkled upon the harbour.

NEW YEAR'S DAY.

At an early hour the town was astir, and from the homes on the hills the smoke was curling upward into a blue sky. There was every prospect of a bright and warm day, and soon after the breakfast hours hundreds of picnic parties were afoot. The excursion steamers were crowded, so also were the trains, trams and busses, and light costumes added their effect to the festive appearance o£ the streets. The Caledonian sports attracted a large crowd, and all would have gone as merry as bells, but that the weather put in a protest in the shape of a sudden thunderstorm, and in a short space of time the quiet sequestered spots that picnickers love were sloppy, slippery, and deserted. How many hats and bonnets were reduced to a state of pulp ; how many pretty costumes spoiled would not be safe to say. Those near enough to town made a general rush for trams and busses, but hundreds were drenched through before they reached home.

Outdoor amusement was out of the question for that day ; dozens of parties were broken up, and in moods varying, as more or less disappointment was sustained, or more or less damage done to bonnec or dress. Towards evening the weather cleared, and " those men !" could go out again if they chose, and a great number did choose, while the ladies consoled themselves with music or gossip. In spite of the rain, the evening passed pleasantly for many, and the various places of amusement were wiell patronised. Once more night came with its quiet, and Sunday following gave the revellers time to recruit.

MONDAY WAS A GLORIOUS DAY, a day of golden sunshine and blue waters and skies. Never was more perfect day for prints and laces, and at the sports and in the streets, on the trams and in the trains, light dresses and bright ribbons fluttered in the breeze.

A very large crowd attended the Caledonian sports, and a crowd which seemed to enjoy the entertainment provided. It is not often that Dunedin gives such a succession of cloudless skies as we have enjoyed since New Year's Day. Holiday-makers ought to think themselves fortunate, and visitors favoured indeed. There are numbers of strangers in the city, and no better time could be chosen to see the place to advantage, The rural spots, the picturesque walks are at their best in the glowing sunshine, Bush and valley alike are beautiful, and the birds are singing joyously, while on the blue narbour the white waves dance merrily.

There is a great deal said about the poverty of New Zealand; but taking the holiday crowds as they are is a counterblast to the talk about our miserable condition. Ta^e th,e children to begin wtth» how few

among the number are ill' dressed or have the appearance of • being poorly* f ed ? • There - are some, of course; but not many, and it is a real*; pleasure to witness so many > signs of prosperity as the holiday crowds present."

AT THE THEATRE.

On Monday, there^was^a large audience,, composed chiefly of visitors from the country, | to witness Hazel Kirke. The stalls and \ pit were crowded 'and" -there .was some difficulty in obtaining, good seats in the circle." • - -'■■-- < ■ ,

The progress of the play w&s watched with much interest, and it was as interesting to watch the different expressions on the different faces as the fun and pathos of the piece unfolded itself. „ , Townspeople are apt to go to the theatre too often to fully appreciate it ; .but those who by distance are debarred from attendance, except on rare occasions; miss nothing from want of appreciation. .

Miss ■ Fischer, in the farmhouse garden scene, wore a simple white muslin dress and a large straw hat. In another act she looked well in a costume composed of navy blue and claret-figured silk, with plarefc silk panels and drapes. The bodice was of the figured material, with a full front of claret.

Not being a fashionable audience there were not many pretty dresses in the circle, but among those I noticed was a pretty costume of grey, with facing* of black f and white striped silk. ' A pale blue dress figured with cream rosebuds, several handsome black evening ' costumes, and one of pale arsenic green. ~