SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1871.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 610, 23 December 1871, Page 2

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1871.

Feeling the influences of the genial and festive season upon us, we desire to offer our Christmas compliments and kind regards to our fellow citizens. It is handed down by tradition of the most remote antiquity, and modern observation but serves to confirm the truth of the ancient saying, that " Christmas comes but once a year." It is probably a wise dispensation that it is so, for if it came more frequently, as, for example, once a month, it would be toujours perclrLv, and, like the old Priest's servant in classic days, who got sick of living on the sweeties that were sent as offerings to the god, we holidays, and social gatherings and excursions, and all the other good things that combine to make us merry at the Christmas tide'- Coming, however, but once in the twelve months, we have no .compunctions in giving ourselves over with utter abandon to the gladness of the season, and the man who feels at Christmas time with the same sensations as during the rest of the year should be regarded as a dangerous man and not to be trusted. In all mankind, and womankind too, there is an element of rakishness, and just as cow-pox is a prophylactic to small-pox, and prevents the outbreak of that mortal disease, so the opportunity of a little mild dissipation at Christmas time conduces to the moral health of the community throughout the rest of the year. Full of the importance, therefore, of this great social institution, we say to all: Brethren and sisters, be glad ! G-o in for fun. Draw it mild; don't go too far; but enjoy yourselves withal; every one according to his temperament. You who take your pleasures sadly, as is said by foreigners to be the fashion of the Briton, be grim if you will, but try and be happy in your own melancholy way; and you to whose nature joy is more congenial, unbottle the pent-up steam and let it fly. All nature calls to enjoyment, and so do posters and advertisements all over the city and the pages of the daily press. The Evening- Stab is bent on enjoyment. We pant for the cool sea breezes and the bracing country air. For two whole days must the people be deprived of the mental pabulum which we supply, for the Evening Star is abroad. Its staff is scattered, catching butterflies. "We cannot resist the genial influences around us, and in the very atmosphere which we breathe. If we have sorely smitten any one, we forgive him ; and to one and all, in the good old homely phrase, we bid a Mebby Christmas and a Happy New Year !

In another column will be found a lengthy correspondence bearing on the subject of public contracts. "We do not venture an opinion in its present stage on the merits of the question, but we cannot refrain from saying that if the .allegations of unfair treatment are correct, a very grave case of public abuse is unearthed, Tenders are sacred things till a decision is formed respecting them, and if the tender of one man is shewn to a competitor, who is thereafter permitted to amend his tender, there must be something underhand proceeding. We have no doubt the matter will not end here.

A. negro ontertainment was given last evening at the Catholic Institute, in aid of the widow, Mrs Owen, whoso husband wasiatcly murdered at Fiji. There was a good attendance, and tho entertainment afforded a vast amount of amusement.

We are obliged to hold over several matters owing to pressure of space. The Banks will close on Boxing Day. The breaking-up party and distribution of prizes, at Miss Drury's educational establishment, Kensington House Wake-field-street, took place last night, The party was well attended, and all enjoyed themselves amazingly; a well decorated Christmas Tree being a source of great interest to the juvenile portion of the guests. Tho following is the list of prizes awarded :—First Class.—Misses Garrett, and Jackson ; Masters E Seymour, and HevFeu. Second Class. — The Misses Dixon, D M'Kerras, Froude, Scott, Waters, and Newton. Third Class.— Misses Jeffrey, Seymour, L Newton ; Masters Dixon, Holland, and Morgan. Fourth Class.—Miss A Lipstine, Master Lipstine, Master E Dixon, Misses M MC'Kerras, Winthrop, and Eyle. Private Class.—Master W T Thompson. Honourable Mention.—English : Miss Bomber, Miss Smith. Music : Miss and Master Leech.

An entertainment was given yesterday evening by Mr R. J. Morrissy, to his pupils of the Preparatory School, Hob-son-street, and their friends, which proved eminently successful. The principal feature was the recitation by the boys, of an imaginary parliamentary scene. This was gone through with much spirit and correctness. After this, a number of pieces, both prose and poetry, were delivered ; and some of the lads showed considerable powers of oratory, and an exactness of puntuation and enunciation, which speaks volumes for the care and pains Mr Morrissy must have bestowed in their education. Tho auditors being requested to award the prize for oratory, unanimously declared Master Hill, a son of Mr E. 8. Hill, to be entitled to it. This concluded a pleasant evening's proceedings. The following was the list of prizes awarded :—lst Class. — English composition, grauimai", spelling, dictation, and arithmetic, Ist prize, S Edmonds. 2nd prize, elocution, recitation, and poetry E Hill. 3rd prize, geography, Mason, Shove. 4th prize, history, Shove, and W Joynt. sth prize, writing theme and essay, J Adams. Second Class—lst prize, English prize, including recitation, poetry, composition, dictation, spelling. 2nd prize, elocution, including recitation, and poetry, Frank Jones. 3rd prize, geography, Fred Quick. -Ith prize, history, Henry Edwards. sth prize, writing theme and essay, Frank Quick. Third Class. —English prize, including spelling, geography, history, dictation, and arithmetic. After a severe contest between Harrold Griffiths, Fred Edmonds, William and John Mason, wa3 awarded to the latter.

The customary decoration on Christmas eve have not by any means been carried out this year to so full an extent as usual. A few of our tradesmen, however, form honorable exceptions to the general rule, and the fronts of their houses are gorgeous with the graceful tops of the toi-toi grass, fronds of the tree fern, and branches of pohutakaua bearing their dense clusters of purple flowers. Houghton's restaurant, •^■"•njr'ii rrester ronrna "Darby's Thi"*l" hotel, Hewin, JJornwell, and others, have done their best to make a display. Loggie the butcher, too. has not neglected to decorate the outside of his shop, and set off the fine show of meat within. Perhaps the best arrangement in the window is that of Mr Canning, who has evinced artistic taste in placing his magnificent confectionary in tempting array. Other have done tolerably well, but on the whole there seems a lack of spirit, and there is no display of any great pretension. No doubt, however, before the gas is lit, there will be a more perfect development of green bushes, and other accessories to ornamentation.

" This way for the riders." Such expressions will greet the ears of the juvenile portion of the community, at Vauxhall Gardens, on Boxing Day. A large round-a-bout or whirly-gig will be fitted up in the grounds for their amusement, containing open carriages for the timid, and prancing steeds " warranted quiet to ride " for the bolder one 3. This necessary adjunct to an English fair will remind many of the old country and the happy rides they have had in days gone by, on similar machines.

Although the various shops in the town are well decorated, we think the palm must be given to "Mr Hale, of Parnell, whose shop window is a model of perfection. Cakes, bonbons, sweets, confectionery, Christmas trees loaded with good things, and a host of things pertaining to his art, adorn the windows and attract the gaze cf the passers by.

The Christmas festivities at Cremorne on Boxing Day are likely to prove very attractive. Footraces, three-legged race, barrel race, quoit match, wheelbarrow race, sack race, greasy boom, and a host of other amusements will constitute the programme of sports. The Enterprise steamer will run every hour from the wharf to Cremorne during the day.

Mr William. Thorne, barrister and solicitor, has removed his office to Vaile's Buildings, Wyndham.street. Mr Gillies met. the electors of the ( City West last evening in the Mechanics' Institute. There was a large atendance.

The Eev J. W. Williams delivered his lecture on" Martin Luther, the hero of the reformation/ at Pitt-street Sunday School! The attendance was good, and the lecture listened to with deep attention.

The City Hall was well attended, last evening, and the Skating Rink appeared to afford considerable amusement.

The Provincial Council was prorogued yesterday evening by the Superintendent.