NEW BRIGHTON NOTES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 276, 26 December 1914, Page 14

NEW BRIGHTON NOTES.

The result of the meeting called by his Worship the Mayor to consider the advisability or otherwise of holding the annual gala is that the meeting decided to hold a gala, as usual, Saturday, January 9, being decided upon as the date. Judging by the hearty way in which it is being taken up, and also from the fact that the net proceeds are to go to" the Belgium Fund, the gala promises to eclipse any previous one held, the indefatigable hon. secretary, Mr A. P. Hopkins, having got out the programme within two days of the decision to hold the gala. There are no fewer than 27 events on the programme. Entries for amateur flat events close on January 4. The rain, though very beneficial to the borough, was nevertheless very disappointing in other respects, coming as it did just the time the Municipal Brass Band was to make a start with its annual round of the borough. From some people's view it did not seem like the usual Christmas Eve, but it is understood the Band has decided to make the round of the borough on New Year's Eve. The borough begins to wear its summer aspect now, large numbers of townspeople having arrived during the past few days, and houses, furnished and unfurnished, are at a great premium. The line body of Boy Scouts at New Brighton have had a great disappointment through the wet weather, as they had arranged, through the Scoutmaster, Mr G. W. Bishop, to go camping in the Domain for a few days, and this has had to be abandoned until a later date. The Presbyterian Church had a sale of work here this week, headed by a band of very energetic workers and stall-holders with well-filled stalls. A large amount of business was done, and the financial results ought to be very satisfactory. The Christmas services held in the Beach Church (Anglican) were well attended. Thursday afternoon found several workers busy decorating the church, and it looked very well when finished, in spite of the rain. There

was a large number at the 7.30 a.m. service. At 11 a.r-si. there was morning prayer, followed by the Holy Eucharist (choral), at which the vicar, the Rev. H. H. Mathias, assisted by the vicar of Burwood, the Rev. Tobin, officiated. The anthem, '' O you that bringest good tidings,'' was well rendered by the choir.

The people of the borough are all sorry to note that the person who has been carrying on the dog-poisoning has not been detected yet. Siuce last week a very valuable dog has been numbered among those which have fallen victims to the poisoning, and it is thought that the authorities in Christchurch should take some steps to abate the (nuisance.