CHRISTMAS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1440, 24 December 1886, Page 3

CHRISTMAS

The festive season has caa>ed the Qsaal flutter among tradesmen, who again ▼le with each other in displaying the moat tempting wares In their windows, best and cheapest,” of course, for C'sh, if obtainable. The display of goods compares very favorably w.ti of previous years, but the seme remark caacnt be app'iod to the decorations, wh J are by no means equal to previous efforts, evergreens, without any floral relief, being the material used in almost every instance, for acknowledging the near approach c-f Santa ( laus.—Mr W. 0. Page’s shop was first visited by our representative—who found that “ Old Father Christum” was not forgotten. Mr Flower’s place of business showed a well-filled window of first-class condiments, the welcome, * A Merry Christmas," in split almonds on toffy claiming first attention. Mr H. O. Segera’ windows were capitally dressed, with a handsome doll In bridal costume as central figure. Messrs H. J. »' o '>o and Go’s display of Christmas cards and other suitable presents next claimed credit. Their mansgar, Mr Matheson, always does present a favorable display. Messrs H. Zander and Go’s grocery department wasliterallyor. named with everything that will be required by housewives. Barrels of currants, raisons, &c. were shown in their windows with appropriate divices, “liquors of the best brands’ were arranged with tffeo 1 ', and the whole appearance of the shop caused us to quite beliavethe firm’s statement that they bad already done capital “biz.” —A proxn’n nt feature In this window is the facsimile head of a London bulldog, with a remarkab’e history, holding in its month a large slice of cindied pee 1 ; In the next window of the same firm we noticed some taking Viennese furniture, of neat pattern. Returning to the grocery with Mr H. Zander some five-year-old port was sampled to onr satisfaction. The Ashburton Bread Company showed some finely-made Christmas cakes and some tempting small goods. Mr W. C. Davis, of Herbal Beer fame, had a profusely decoiated shop, filled with confectionery, fruit and condiments, the latter being artistically arranged. Some fine fresh strawberries from Mr Langley’s garden, sound eating appUrs, grown by Mr Mayo, aid black cherries fr M Orati were also on view. In regard to the apples we use the word “ sound ” because the fruit sold by Mr Davis was grown last year being preserved by Mr Mayo in a successful way unknown to or rot practiced by most growers,—Mr H. M. Carson’s gtoercies and confectionery looked well and Messrs Dimact and Coe drapery showed creditablydressed windows. Mr J. McGregor, grocer, had not troubled about deo r r - lions, but he exhibited h?s amply-applied shop in a new dress. Several desirabie improvements have been effected by Mr McGregor In the interior of his place of business, and the painter has carried ont bis agrees ent to make the interior present a festive appearance. In Mr Andrew Orr’s drapery shop tome really first-class tweeds and tartans from the Ashburton Woollen Factory were noticeable. Messrs Orr and Alcorn had a goodlj-aizjd spruce In their window doing seivice as a Christmas tree, on which had been placed articles to relieve the color. In their tecond window was to be seen an attractive display of electlc-platefl were, etc. —Mr J. Banger, confectioner, tind his shop prettily decorated with evergreens, and tbe contents of the shop itself were well arranged.—Mr D. McFarlane, gave a very bulky exhibition of the ingredients required by housewives of experience !n making Christmas puddings, all the goods being ticketed in plain figures at both shops.—Mr AV. Zander showed a cap ! tal assortment of fancy goods, seme large dolls being prominent featnre of his exhibition.—Mr A. C. Prichard’s drapery establishment was covered in front with numerous aitlcles of light wearing apparel for summer nse.— Mr H. M. Jones, who advert'ses the advent of Santa Clans, had a very large stock of toys on view in hta window in Barnett street, and inside were to be seen hundreds of dolls of all sorts and sizes, to say nothing of very suitable fancy goods.—Mr A. W. Ran dell had a large snpply of confectionery, fruit and vegetables, which will no doubt dlssappear before to-morrow. Of the batchers Mr Lancaster had tbe best display. His shop was profusely decorated with evergreens, and some very nice joints of beef, pork and lamb lay on the counters. Mr Lancaster’s show of small goods and bacon was also worthy of attention.—ln Miss Hitchcock’s window, well supplied with birenits, lollies, etc., are noticed specimens of fancy needlework and feather-cleaning.—Mr Pattman, of the Somerset Hotel, was the only one of publicans who made anything like an attempt to do justice to the season. Both bars were prettily decorated with fancy work in colored paper, Ivy, etc,, and to look at the exterior of the hotel, a visitor would have expected to hear of the presence in the town of the Governor cr some other distinguished visitor. Messrs Hayes and Co and Mr W. Baylis had their windows full of Christmas cheer, and the first-named firm exhibited season drapery and m'llinery At the north end of the town, Mr Tasker, who went In for floral decoration, displayed s mo fine joints of beef, with small goods, poultry, etc. Mrs Manhire’s window gav© us a peep at some first-class needlework, of fancy type, which b j .s only to be seen to be admired. In Mrs M rris’s store there were some bams and bacon, apparently cured by a master of tbe trade, and a plentiful supply of Christmas and other cakes, bread, biscuits, &c. Altogether the display of goods in the various shops was extremely creditable.