WAITARA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14095, 29 December 1909, Page 7

WAITARA.

(From Our Own, Correspondent.) Christmas Pay was celebrated quiet. It her,©/- most people remaining indoors* on acoount of the dusV raised by something approaohing a gale, which raged most of tb.e day. The religious nature of the greatest festival in Christendom was fittingly observed at the various churches. At 6t< Johns' (Anglican) Holy Communion was celebrated at 8 a.m.. and Matin* at 11 a.m., tfie vicar, Rev. J. B. Brockle* hurst, - officiating on both occasions, and preaching on the great festival. The church was charmingly decorated with holly, which lent quite an Old World air to the sacred budding. On the altar white flower's in profusion showed in strong relief from- the carved oak reredos. Hymns appropriate to the holy season were oapably rendered by the choir, Miss K. Gilbert presiding at the organ. The sanctuary was, covered with a new carpet of correct ecclesiastical design, used for the first time. I, understand that a new altar will also shortly be placed in position, which, will further enhance this church, which is associated with so many hallowed memories. Ati St. Patrick's (Catholic) the Very Rev. Clean M'Renna was the oelebrant of the Mass. In honour of the festival the body of the churoh was. tastefully decorated with ferns and native foliage, while the floral decoration of the high and' side altar was just sufficient to enhance, without hiding, their artistic presentment. The music of the Macs was Bordese's with Hummel' s "0 Salutaris Hostia" after the consecration, and the time-honoured "Adeste Fideles" as aji offertory. Mrs. J. G. Russell presided at the organ. Several improvements have recently been effected in this church, the pillars supporting $he sanctuary arch,, and the communion rails, being artistically decorated in white and gold, so_as to harmonise with the high altar, on the wall at the rear of the high altar, and immediately above it, are displayed three fine scrolls bearing the words "Sanetus" in gold lettering, on a white and crimson ground, in mediaeval style, the whole surmounted by the Cross surrounded by* rays- This work is by an artist who has had many years' experience in the Old Country as a churoh decorator, and was greatw admired. Another aide altar and statue is needed to help complete the internal furnishing, ana it is hoped the generosity of the congregation will soon render this an accomplished fact. Further improvements are meditated in the near future, notably a belfrt and bell, a choir gallery, and the levelling and planting of the church grounds. For the lastnamed, it is hoped to organise a working bee at the proper season, The members of the church are to be congratulated on possessing such a devotional little church, As uj> to the pre* sent there has been no special call mad^e on the congregation for furnishing they will doubtless feel strongly impelled to assist all future efforts made to beautify their church. At the Wesleyan Church Christmas service was hela in the evening at 7 p.m. The Rev. F. T«»Read officiated and preaphed on the festival of the day. The usual Christmas musical service was carried out by the ohoir in a capable manner. The past week has been a strenuous one with shopkeepers, and despite the fact that a plethora of entertainments in the shape of an operetta, two bajsaars, a picture show, and a concert, all within a fortnight, which depleted the public purse to the extent of about £200, all appeared to be doing" a roaring trade, particularly on Christmas

Eve, when business was prolonged till a very late' hour. The town was full of people, and though lively, there was no disorder apparent, and, what is very creditable, no drunkenness. There are rumours of an impending libel action between a well-known f local resident, who is not unknown throughout Taranaki as a comic vocalist, and the proprietor of a paper published a few milts from New Plymouth. The ground for action is alleged libellous comment in th© report of a concert held recently. If the matter is threshed out iv court, an interesting case will result, as I understand high legal talent will be retained by the aggrieved party. Anent the death of Leopold of Belgium, and th© protest from Feilding by a group of well-meaning busy bodies, because the dominion Hag was half mast, how is it that we Britishers, with all our good qualities, have such a knack of poking our noses into other countries' business ?•' This Feilding protest recalls to my mind what happened to an Englishman* thought he would trot over to Russia and remonstrate personally with the then Emperor Alexander, on bis alleged treatment of the Pol-38. The Emperor's retort to his visitor was very brief, but to the point. "R"ght f the grievances of your Iridi first before corning to dictate to me my course of action." Not an undeserved rebuke in the face of events at the time. • 1 an* afraid our greatest fault is Pharisaism. "Everything in. our garden is lovely," and everything "no class" in foreign gardens. This spirit' is the cnu-se bf the great unfriendliness which tbe Continental nations generally manifest to the Britisher, the Britisher who scoffs at what he cannot understand, and who possibly writt'S l^ book on, «ay, the "Decadence of Spain," or some similar topic on loss than a month's aequ-aintanoe with the inhabitants of the country.