CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8663, 27 December 1889, Page 2

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES.

» CHRISTMAS EVE. Never have the streets of New Plymouth had such a lively appearance as on Tuesday night. They invariably present a scene on Christmas Eve of extra activity, but in the present instance the people thronged into town from all quarters, and the streets were ciowded. The visitors came from every direction, and all seemed animated with a distinctive desire to participate in the wild happiness of the season, and to reveal how widespread was the spirit of Christmastide. From east to west there ran a sea of joyous faces, with eddies here and there, as groups gathered round shop windows and admired their contents. In places it was difficult to make headway against the stream — especially " Under the Veranda," where persons would be apt to be driven back a considerable distance, the pressure in one direction at times being very strong. Young and old filled the pathway, and the moving vehicles in the roadway of those who had driven in from the country gave the town a very active and lively appearance. The utmost good tomper prevailed throughout the evening and there was not the sign of anyone being under the influence of liquor to be seen anywhere. The shopkeepers had made an extra effort on this occasion, and their shops looked attractive ; the illumination "Under the Veranda " being a marked feature to draw the people together in that direction. From early in the evening till half-past eleven o'clock the town was thronged, and as the latter time approached paterfamilias and mater were to be seen with their perambulators full of the purchases, &c, they had made, whilst others who had not provided a " conveyance" had their arms full of tilings. The express train was an hour late, and a large crowd assembled at the railway station to see it come in. It arrived at about a quarter to eleven, and as it was a long train, and the carriages all full, the scene at the debarkation of the passengers was a very busy one. As night wore on the excitement subsided, but the streets were not cleared till past midnight, and traps were heard making their way out of town for some hours afterwards. THE TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION held by the Fire Brigade was a great success. The firemen met at the station at half-past 9 o'clock, and formed in procession. The band came first, then the fire engine, drawn by two horses, on one of which a postillion in comic character was mounted, and then the 'firemen with the reels. On the fire engine a platform was placed, and on this a " band of musicians," who were dressed up for the occasion, took their stand. The route taken by the procession was along by the Railway Station, as far as the Terminus Hotel, thence along Queen-street to the White Hart Hotel, where a halt was made for a few minutes. A start was then made along Devon-street, as far as Elliot-street | where the procession turned back, and marched to the reclaimed land where a halt for several minutes was made. A start was next made for the B.igade Station where the processionists separated, after having an hour's capital fun. The Band played some inspiriting music on the march. A large crowd of people followed the procession, and appeared to derive great fun from the antics of the " musicians " on the fire engine. CHRISTMAS DAY. ' The day was observed by the Episcopalians and Catholics as a religious holiday, and therefore to outward appearances it had the aspect of Sunday. The weather was everything that coidd be desired. In the morning tho church people were seen wonding their way to their respective places of worship, and in the latter part of the day everything was quiet and in repose. hT. MARY'S CHURCH. On Christmas Day there was Holy Communion at 8 a.m.; at 10 a.m. there was a children's service, conducted by Rev. T. Farley, consisting of prayers, carols, and a slioit address. At tho 11 o'clock service, both Archdeacon Govi'tt and Rev. T. Farley took part. The musical part of the service was well performed. The sermon was preached liy the Archdeacon, who took his text fiotn Ih.iiah bi>. 8 it. The church was decorated very effectively, and reflected great credit on those whose work it was. The pulpit was decorated by Mrs It. C. Shaw ; the font by Mrs W. Skinner ; the lecterns, Miss Isabel Haineiton ; altar and pillars, Misses Webster and Stapp ; gallery, Misses K. Hamerton and Todd. The decorating of the windows and other work was dove by Mrs Robinson, Misses M. Hamerton. Deveuisb, Marshall, Holford, N, Webster, E. Hamerton, Govett, Hijrstbouse, Rutherford (2), Fry, ftirkby, Weyergang, Rawpon, B.

Smith, and Watkins. Tho Rev. T. Farley, Messrs Robinson, S. W. Shaw, W. Skinner, and other gentlemen assisted the ladies in the work. At the Henui Church there was early Communion, and at 11 the morning service was conducted by the lay preacher, Mr Young. This church was also very 2>retti]y decorated. St. Joseph's church. Mass was celebrated on Christmas Day in the Catholic Church at 7.30 and 10.30 a.m., the usual midnight service being dispensed with. The church was very prettily decorated with fums and flowers, and over the altar was the inscription "Gloria in Excelsis Deo." The Rev. Father McKenna was the celebrant at both masses, and preached powerful sermons on the Nativity. There was a large attendance jat both services. At the second mass a full choir rendered the various numbers in the mass in a highly satisfactory manner. They comprised the Adeste FideUs, by Xovello ; Con cone's Mass in F (Kyrie, Glona, Credo, and Acinus Dei) ; Jouve's Sanctus and Bcnedictus ; Webb's Domine Salvam ; at offertory, the Noel Noel, was sung by Mr Flahavan in a very satisfactory manner. At Vespers there was another large attendance, the music being :—: — Vespers: Novello's Adeste Fideles; Webb's Grand Magnificat in A ; and Webb's A Ima Ecdemptoris ; at offertory, Aye Maria (Cherubini), waß sung by Mr Flahavan. At the Benediction the following were sung ; Solo, 0 *alutur\s (Novello) ; LiUmy, by Shultz ; duet, Tantum Ergo, by Rossi. THE OTHER CHURCHES held no special services, and were closed like any other day in the week. SACRED CONCERT IN RECREATION GROUND. During the afternoon the Volunteer Band performed a selection of sacred pieces. There was a large number of people parading the ground, and the performance by the band was very effective n the open air. The following programme was gone through :—: — " What a friend we have in Jesus" March, (Wallace); "Hallelujah Chorus," and " Worthy v is the Lamb and Amen," (from " The Messiah ") ; anthem, " The Mighty Lord" (Beethoven) ; anthem, "To thee, O Lord " (Leach) ; " Army Hymn " (by Peabody) ; fantasia, sacred, " Adoration " (Linter) ; anthem, " Glory to God" (H. Round). BOXING DAY. Some heavy showers fell early in the morning, which made most persons fear that the holiday would be spoilt by a wet day; but at about 8 o'clock the clouds cleared away, and a fine, brilliant day opened out. THE RACES were the chief attraction of the day, a full report of which is to be found under its proper heading in another column. THE WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC was held in " Standish's paddock," and was a great success. The gentlemen who interested themselves in tins affair were — Messrs W. A. Collis, J. C. George, E. Okey, E. Veale, Horris Ford, Walton, and others. Various sport were provided and in the afternoon there was an excellent tea, the tables being presided over by Mesdames Hoskin, Rogers, Perry, E. Veale, Mynott, G. F. Hooker, Misses Jackson (2), George, Mynott (2), Sole, Sadler, Okey, Perry, Hoskin, and Veale. Messrs Harris Ford, Walton, and Collis provided amusements for the children ; and Messrs E. Veale and E. Okey supervised generally. The Temperance Band, under Mr E. Howell, were on the ground, and conderably enlivened the picnic by their music. MR GARRY'S MINSTREL ENTERTAINMENT Mr Garry's benefit minstrel entertainment in the Hall on Boxing night was well attended by the public, who seemed to appreciate the programme submitted for their approval. The chair business of the entertainment was decidedly good. Mr Churton was, interlocuter, and Messrs Birch and Newell, " bones" and " tambo" respectively. The songs '•Climbing up de golden Stairs" (bones), "Angels Whisper Sweet Good Night" (Mr Perry), " Clara Nolan's Ball" (Tambo), " The Last Sweet Words of Mother" (Mr Churton), " Airey Ann" (Bones), " Sweet Genevieve" (Mr Simms), and " I owe ten shillings to O'Grady" (Tambo) were ail well received. The jokes were fairly good, some of the local ones being pretty ingenious. The second part consisted of songs, dances, and sketches. A nautical song by Mr Perry was deservedly applauded. Mr Flynn's song and dance " Caroline" was encored, as was Mr Teutenberg's song and dance. Both responded to the calls. An organ bolo by Mr Garry who played on an American organ for which Mr Carter of Inglewood is is the agent was a good item. Mr Conway's comic sketch and song was encored, while Processor Duff's " Great Ladder Feat" met with quite a demonstration. Mr Croydon's pneumatic solo was laughable. Messrs Flynn and Birch scored an encore in the double song and dance "Heel and Toe." The sketch "He Would Be An Actor" brought the programme to a close The entertainment was successful both financially and otherwise.