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West Coast Times, 2 January 1889, Page 4

quenoe neatly every home ia tows and many in the country faraisbad their qaota to tbe crowd of sightseers who went forth to look upon each other, the chops, and ultimately tbe fireworks, in spito of the legions of small dynamiters, who held pos* session of the side walls and thoroughfares and shot their crackers a.% the crowd, is if they had been mummers at the Carnival of Venice. Revell Street presented an nnusually gay and festive appearance, aa much in keeping with the spirit of welcome i to young 1889 as it was out of keeping j with the d«ath of old 1888. Tbe shops from one end of the town to the other were glittering with lights and a sore temp* tatinn to the crowd which sauntered hsp£ pity along from one window to another. At a quarter psst eleven the Fite Brigade prooeEßsion, Captain Michel in command, started from the No. 2 Station Noith Revell Street, andj made tbe usual round with a display of colored lights, rockets and roman candles, the Volunteer Band showing tbe way. Mr John Cameron as usual wss a con» spicuous figure on the engine, and handled bis team maivelouely in the fsoe of the noise and glare_of the pyroteohnioi during the passage of * the procession, which was followed by a tbiak crowd of hangers on, marching to the time of tbe band and laughing hilariously at the smart cracker fire. The Kennedy, lying at the wharf, responded to the general hilarity by throwing up some grand rockets, which exploded with, a loud report, and asserted their superiority in the midst of the universal din. Arrived at tbe No. 1 station tbe band played a solemn dirge for the dying Jyear, and a momentary alienee followed the interval between tbe last strains of tbe music and the terrifying clang of the alarm bell, which announced that tbe new year bad sprung into existence fully-armed, and— let ns hope— than tbe dead year. The first Btroke of the bell had a doable effect. It set a storm of rockets, shooting up into tbe dark sky. whilst from every ooign of vantage on the Brigade Station dark and mysterious figures became startlingly prominent, as red fires flashed up here and there and illuminated tbem and the facades of every building in tbe town. This wss one effect. The other was that Ithe concourse of people gathered in the streets at onoe shook bauds. Tbe wa9 heard along the streets ' A Happy New Year,' the reply * There came to you,' and often this addendum, ' and many on 'em.' It was as if a small whirl-wind of kindly greeting had sprung iip at one end of the crowd and had passed along to the ether- The arrangements made by those in charge seemed to be admirable, and tbe quantity of fireworks let of probably equalled that expended in previous years, Daring the dis« play the band played selections, but none went more home to the feelings of all present than 'Auld Lang Syne.' Towards tbe close of the scene the bell rang out a quicker measure and a oloud of fire shot np and spread itself abroad in the sky and the "devil amongst tbe tailors" cracked and fizzed and tbe Catherine wheels spun round till all was giddy and golden showers of sparks rained from tbe belfry tower, and the glare of the colored lights and tbe varied hues of the fiery balls which fell from the Boman candles announced that the end had come. Iv a few minutes the outlines of the buildings in the neighborhood, tbe facade of tbe station itself, grew dimmer and thinner, and the soft darkness of tht summer night once more settled down on the surroundings, and the world and his wife gradually took himself home to supper and to bed.

NEW YEAR'S DAY Was a fitting successor to N«ir Fears' Eve. The summer night was followed by a glorious day, tbe son shining full and hot, and the sky boasting a serene blue, it has been a Btranger to for many a long month. The town abandoned itself wholy to pleasure. The steamers at tbe wharf were surprised and taken possession of by an unwonted crowd of passengers, who were for some exoitoment greater and more stirring than that to be found within the limits of home. Both field and flood were in favor. The noble army of picnickers* was abroad upon the waters and the dnsty nigbwaya: It spread forth until It embraced all points of the compass and never ceased its wandeiiogi until long after night hid fallen. A long stream of people wept down to tbe sports at Glossop'i, ar^d the green of nature wag diversified, by the summer attire of the fair <^z. The Wesleyan picnic party also attracted a goodly gathering of ohurqja people and frienda, and waa most tuceessful. The above is but a short rei.ame of what the holiday times have b?'m. Now they are & thing of the past, and tbe world will return— let it be hoped— with renewed rigor to the taskr> which 1889 1) ready to Bet.