NEW YEAR’S EVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 January 1926, Page 13

NEW YEAR’S EVE.

THE PASSING OF 1925. JIEAVEXS WEEP COPIOUSLY. WET CROWDS IN NEW PLYMOUTH. More in sorrow than in anger the heavens viewed the departure from New Plymouth on Thursday night of the year 19'25, with all its worries and cares and viccissitudes of joy and sorrow. The passing of the old friend was attended by greater weeping than has been known for some time. and to the accompaniment of the merry tattoo of large and frequent raindrops on the housetops and shop roofs, gutters streamed full, and people deserted the streets for what solace they could find on rather cold side-walks.

In spite of these conditions, which prevailed almost continuously until midnight from early in the evening, it was quite a large crowd of men, women and children that filled the footpaths of Devon Street between 7.30 p.m. ami nine o’clock. There seemed to be less hilarity than usual on New Year's Eve. but perhaps the knowledge that one had come abroad without overcoat or umbrella, or the sensation from hats that sent periodic Niagaras down the back of one’s neck, and from trouser Iwjttoms that clung clammily to the calves of one’s legs was a reasonable excuse for many to feel less joyful than Usual. SUNSHADES TN THE RAIN. The torrents of rain did not entirely mar the evening, however. A protesting drain pipe attached to a verandah post of a well-known shop in the centre of the town complained of its age ami of the unfair burden it was called upon to bear by projecting through two weak esses in its shop-front side two delicate and far-reaching columns of spray, and it afforded the younger element a considerable amount of secret pleasure to watch the various effects produced on the passers'by. Most, as they were struck in various parts of their anatomy, turned sharply with an air of injured innocence suspecting the presence of, a water pistol, and many passed on wondering as to the origin of their shower bath. The young ‘’bloods’’ of Christmas Eve, with their bowler hats, large hornrimmed spectacles and canes, were succeeded on Thursday night by a festive hand armed with miniature sun shades, who did their best to maintain the spirit of the occasion, hut beyond these and a rather thin and intermittent chorus from the squeaker and trumpet brigade, the majority were content to confine their celebrations to the usual orgies in the ice-cream and fruit salad shops. THE SCOTCH ELEMENT. The numbers in the streets began to dwindle early, the trams carrying packed freights to the more inviting warmth of home and the blankets, but as the hour of twelve approached quite n considerable crowd began to ass nnble near the post office. As the chimes rang out. the passing of the old year was marked by the singing of “AuH I-a ng Syne.” The Caledonian Pipe Band which had rendered appropriate music from the balcony of the Criterion Hotel earlier in the evening, led the midnight <-«• -.•brations, and io the tune of the piles a Scottish reel was enthusiastir:tl:y danced. Engine whistles at the railway station and factory sirens joined in the clamour of the moment. Then the Caledonians departed to pay their round of “first footings.” and amid much noise and sing-songing the crowd gradually broke up. Thus was 1926 •A-efcoined by New Plymouth.