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Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 8971, 2 January 1891, Page 2

NEW YEAR'S EVE. The unseasonable weather that prevailed on Wednesday afternoon ani evening quite put a damper on the New Year's Bye festivities. During the afternoon a misty rain set in from the northward, and towards evening increased so much that it jlooked as if the amusements prepared for ) the occasion — such as the Fire Brigade [ Procession — would have to be put off. The rain, however, did not prove such a deterrent, for it did not increase beyond a constant mizzle, which waß discomforting enough. In the early part of the evening, despite the bad weather, a large number of people thronged the principal streets of the town, but there was a marked diminution | in numbers as compaied with Christmas Eve. THE PROCESSION. The Fire Brigade procession, which is now looked upon as an annual affair, came off m announced. The procession was formed in front of the Brigade station in Brougham-street at 9 o'clock in the following order :— l. Firemen in full uniform. 2. Garrison Band. 3. InßpectorGeneral Blnzer of - the Darktowns, in carriage with his staff. 4. The only original Darktown Rescue Fire Brigade, with their world-renowned engine the Niagara, under Captain Gorgius Deßunger. 5. No. 1 reel and detachment of New Plymouth Brigade. 6. No. 2 reel with tame. 7. No, 3 reel with same. Capt. i Maher got his forces marshalled punctually, and at th^ fixed time the procesaion moved off to the inspiriting strains of the Band, and the laughter of the vast concourse of people, who had assembled to view the spectacle. The Inspector-General Blazer of the " Darktowhs," who w.as-got up to perfection, drove with 'his assistants in Darby's donkey cart. The asinine quadruped who occupied the shafts was in such fettle that it was "deemed advisable to have a man at his head in case of a bolt. Following the Inspector came " The Darktown Rescue j Fire Brigade." The Brigade occupied a I stand, which was fixed on the fire engine, | drawn by two horses, the leader of which 1 was ridden by a postillion in fancy dress. Part of the staging ..was fixed up as a house, and here two members of the Brigade, dressed as females, acted pantomime along with those on the front staging, to the delight of. the hundreds of spectators who followed the procession "on the sidewalks. The centre of attraction in the procession was, of course, the Darktown portion, who kept up their antics splendidly. The route taken was along Brougham-street as fur as the Terminus Hotel, thence into Queenstreet as far as the White Hart Hotel, thence into Devon-street as far as the Red House Hotel. The procession then turned up Gover-street, thence into Courtenay-' Btreet, and next into Eliot-street, and then again into Devon street, and down to the Imperial Hotel, where a turn was made down Currie-Btreet to the Reclaimed Land. The colored lights and fireworks ,used by those taking part in the procession made a good display, and were tho means ofmaking the affair more effective. One or two slight mishaps happened to the house rigged* on the -fire engine during the journey, but these were easily rectified. On the reclaimed land the house was set on fire, and the Darktowns then came to the rescue and extinguished the flames. The band then played " Auld Lang Syne," and the most successful procession ever heldby the Brigade terminated. The Brigade deserve every credit for the manner in which they worked up and carried the procession through. A word of thanks is also due to the Band for their services. While the procession was going along Courtenay.street, some person — who" ought to, have known better — threw a stone, which struck Fireman C. Sole, who was one of the' Darktown Brigade, in the head, inflicting a severe wound. THE CHURCHES. . . There was the usual service at St. Mary's Church on Wednesday evening, and at midnight the church bells rang the old year out and the new year in. At the Wesleyan Church there waß the usual midnight watch, when appropriate addresses were delivered by Revs. P. W. Fairclough > and W. .Grant. The choir sang several hymns. Miss Okey presided at the organ. NEW YEAR'S DAY.' The first day of the year 1891 broke in a most unpromising way with rainy squalls, which continued up till noon. There was nothing of a special nature in town, and the private picnics which had been arranged were all declared off on account of the weather. There .was a morning service at St. Joseph's at 8 a.m., and' vespers were held at 7 p.m. t CONCERT AT ALEXANDRA HALL. On New Year's night Mr Garry gave an entertainment m the Alexandra Hall. There was a good attendance of the public. The first part of the entertainment consisted of a. performance by the Liliputian Minstrels, and the second part of a miscellaneous concert programme. The juveniles were exceedingly clever. The corner men were Masters L. Smith (bones) and J. Garry (tambo), and Master F. Hendry made an excellent interlocutor. Tho comic songs "It isn't Mine" and "Never no more" were sung effectively by Master Smith. Master W. Birch was encored for the comic song, "Nobody •knows the •trouble that was there " He also sang " The Laughing Nigger" with effect. Master Knyyett did justice to the ballad " The Cricket on the Hearth," tho chorus being good. Master L. Kirkby, who has a clear and strong voice satig the ballad " Kiss me and I'll go to sleep," with effect. Master J. Jury sang " Daisy Bell" sweetly, and Master Wainhouse did ! justice to the ballad -" Only to' see her face again." The jokes between the corner men and interlocutor were laughter, provoking. The second part opened wich an overture " Tricotrin waltz" by the, orchestra. Miss Battle was heard to advantage in the song, v Tho Old Lock." Mr Godfrey sang " The Arab's farewell to his favorite steed" in a pleasing manner. The cornet solo, " The death of Nelson," was played with effect by Mr G. Garry. Miss Bella Wood, was encored for "The Song that reached my Heart," and repeated the last verse. Master R. Cottier played a violin solot with good execution. A d&bulant, in the person of Mr C. Kirkby, did justice to the song " Red and .White Roses." his voice being a very pleasing- one. The accompaniments were played by Mr Garry, and Mr J. Morey accompanied Mr Garry in the cornet solo.