Fifty Years Ago

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1926, Page 3 (Supplement)

Fifty Years Ago

CHRISTMAS IN TARANAKI CELEBRATION OF YULETIDE

How did the people of Taranaki celebrate the Christmas season fifty years ago? Times were harder then; vet although handicapped by the general disorganisation and unrest consequent upon the Maori War, by lack of finance for development purposes, and by the almost primaeval state of much of what is now productive farming land, the people of 50 years ago possessed the happy faculty of being s light-hearted when occasion demanded as they were industrious from morning to night of almost every day in the year. So when Christmas came round it was celebrated with as much rejoicing as the facilities of the time could provide, and a search In the Daily News' flies of 50 years ago shows that at Yuletide one ami all gave themselves up to whatever wholesome delights best suited their tastes. Glorious weather prevailed throughout the entire Christmas season of 1877. ■‘Out of this golden opportunity our fellow townsmen have taken their fill of joy," said the Daily News, “and they have done so in so rational a way that there was not -a single case at the Police Court at New Plymouth on "Thursday morning. On Monday evening the Garrick Club gave a performance at the Oddfellows’ Hall, but the evening was too delightful for those at leisure to seek the attractions of the stage. Late in the evening our slumbers were broken by a band playing “Adeste Fideles," and other carol-like strains. On Christmas morning there was a large congregation at St. Mary’s Church, the sacred edifice being beautifully decorated. On the front of the gallery was emblazoned the “Gloria in Excelsis Deo,’ and on the Com- • munion table and in the windows were magnificent bouquets of roses, magnolias, glad ioii and oarnations. During the ©er-1 vic© the Te Deum and a Christinas anthem were excellently sung by the choir, reinforced as it was by the fine soprano notes of a lady visitor from Carlyle (Waitara». The Ven. Archdeacon Gov©tt conducted the service. •‘On Wednesday (Boxing Day) picnic®, races, sports and excursions attracted the citizens in various directions, but the chief attraction was the Good Templar fete at Glenavon (Mr. Courtney’s property) on the banks of the Waiwakaiho River. Special trains conveyed numbers to this beautiful suburban spot, and there by the clear waters from the peak of the mountain tumbling over their bed of volcanic boulders, or r»n the grass beneath the tree, the beautiful afternoon and evening were enjoyed. “At Inglewood on the same day was held the Sunday school fete. About 150 children took tea and then proceeded to the recreation grounds, where swings • and other amusements were provided for them. During the absence of the children, about 200 adults took tea, after which the children returned from the play and were regaled with buns and milk before being dismissed.” “The time-honoured festival of Christmas has again been duly observed in the district,” says the Daily News of December 23, 1873. “As might be expected in a respectable community such as ours, there have been no revelling® or loud demonstr tions of joy, but a sober and peaceful enjoyment of the beautiful season and of the rites that accompany it has been the fortunate lot of most of us.

“On Christmas Eve the usual bustle consequent on the preparation for the feast was observable in th. town, and some extra efforts were made by tradesmen to make their wares especially attractive. Tempting displays of prime beef were made by the butchers, while th© Sweet fruits of the Mediterranean were attractively exhibited by the grocers. Some places of business were decorated with ferns and shrubs from the forest, and at night the premises of Messrs Veale, Morey. Wright, Foote and Cock were decorated with Chinese lanterns. Midnight Mass was celebrated with great pomp at the Catholic Chapel, •by the Rev. Father Lampilia, in th© presence of a crowded congregation, and the hymn ’Adeate Fideles’, sung by enthusiastic choristers, in the still midnight air had a captivating effect on many who listened to its carolling •trains. On Christmas morning a large congregation assembled at St. Mary’s Church, which was, as usual, richly decorated with garden Howers. The service was conducted by the Rev. H. H. Brown, and the choir, accompanied by the organ, sang the usual hymns and anthems. “On Boxing Day a large number of persons proceeded to the beautiful ? rounds of Mr. Courtney at Waiwakaiho, or the purpose of engaging in the annual Good Templar fete. Here, upon the river terrace, admirably adapted for an al fresco festival, the pleasure-seekers assembled and witnessed an athletic •ports meeting. “The sports programme included a high jump, broad jump, vaulting with the pole, throwing the cricket ball. Templars’ Handicap, of 220 yards, swimming race (300 yardsi. tug-of-war (Templars v. The World L putting the shot, halfmile handicap, and mile handicap.. Substantial prizes, varying from £1 to £5, were offered; a frequent collector of prize-money being Mr. R. (’. Hughes. Similar sports gatherings took place at Okato and at Manutahi.” Christmas of th* year ISBI was celebrated in much the same manner as in

previous years, though rather more quietly. On Christmas Eve a brass band, under the leadership of Mr. Hughes, enlivened the proceedings by playing a good selection of music in the centre of the town, whilst the drum and fife band of th© Band of Hope, under Mr, C. Tunbridge, also helped considerably to the general rejoicing. “The services of the police were not required on any occasion for arresting drunken or noisy men,” says the News, “but a stricter watch might have been kept in the suDurbs of the town, ■where the larrikins amused themselves by unhinging gates and other foolish tricks.” The passing away of another year brought little change in the method of celebrating Christmas in Ne Plymouth. Recording the advent of Yuletide in 1882, th© News stated; “On Saturday evening Devon Street presented a most animated appearance the people turning out en mass© to witness the decorations and profusion of good thing®, and the business don© was astonishing. It appeared as though by magic t*h<j Jiving population of New Plymouth had turned out in company to honour* the approach of happy Chnstmastide. The evening was fin© and clear, which circumstance enhanced pleasure of listening to the strains of the Volunteer Band, which performed a number of selections opposite th© Criterion Hotel. The fife and drum band also played on the vacant corner facing Devon and Brougham

Streets. Early on Christmas morning the Volunteer Band again paraded, and played a number of sacred pieces of music on Maryland Hill, and also in front of the Government buildings, after which they performed a march through the town to Major Stapp’s residence, where more sweet music was discoursed. Th© churcht - were adorned with ferns and evergreens, ami sermons preached in them upon the advent. At Si. Mary’s Church a special musical festival was observed in the evening, under the conductorship of Mr. Angelo Forrest. The day was quietly observed, and attended by the customary family reunions. “On Boxing Day the community generally devoted itself to pleasurable excitement pf a more active nature. The Volunteer B«.nd and a nunil r of others proceeded to the Normanby sports, whilst others, in vehicle and saddle, addressed themselves to the races at (.'remit The particular source of attraction was the United Temperance Fete at Bell Block, three trainloads being conveyed thereto. Sports of an’ enticing nature were improvised, whilst programme of other events for which prizes were given was. carried out. ami youth and pleasure wen. hand in hand merrily.”