THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.

Evening Star, Issue 3385, 26 December 1873, Page 2

THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.

SACRED CONCERT. A concert on Christmas night is a novelty; but if we could count on being treated to such delightful music as the Carandini company discoursed last night at the Queen’s Theatre we should have uo objection to such concerts being perpetuated. We have uo hesitation in saying that it was the finest concert of its kind ever held in Dunedin. Where so much was good, we think it invidious to particularise to any extent, but are forced to remark that the audience seemed to be a very critical one. Still the gems of the concert were deservedly appreciated, and only consideration for the performers prevented encores being asked in most instances. Madame was in capital voice, and sang her two solos, “ Angels ever bright and fair” and “Hear, ye Israel,” in excellent style. Miss Rosina’s effort was “With verdure clad.” Mus Isabella, whose voice we were glad to hear again, gave “But thou did’st not leave, ’ from the Messiah, besides taking the solo part in the anthem, “ As pants the heart;” and Miss Fannie was heard to the greatest advantage in “Salve Maria” and “ He was despised ” Her rendering of the last mentioned air was the feature of the concert; ami often as we have heard her in it, we do not remember it being so well sung as it was last night. At its conclusion she received quite an ovation from her delighted audience. Mr Gordon’s tine voice did full justice to “ Arm, arm, ye brave” and “ Why do the nations?” for both of which he had to bow his acknowledgments. The several part pieces were also well rendered; the “ Quando Corpus,” from “ Stabat Mater,” being especially good. Mr Anderson played selections from “St. Paul,” and on being encored gave the grand march from “ Le Prophete.” The audience was an unusually large one, the lower parts of the house being well filled. THE KAILWAY, The number of persons who travelled on the railway yesterday was not very large. At the main station at Dunedin there were taken out 21 first-class single tickets, 31 second-class single tickets, 32 first-class return tickets, and 262 second-class return tickets. At least half of the return tickets represent two children each, half-fare and half-tickets being the rule for juveniles. To this may be added another 100 for those who went from the Pelichet Bay .Station, BOAT RACES. A. boat race between the Excelsior and Fair Play crews took place yesterday, tlie •Excelsior crew rowing in the Queen Victoria, and the Fair Play crew in the Amateur. The course wa» from the end of Jetty street, round a buoy moored off Black Jack’s Point, and back to the place of starting. The boats got away well together, and the race promised to be a keenly-contested one ; but when about half way on the outward c mrse, the sculls of the boats came in contact, aud after this contretemps all hope was over with the Amateur, which shortly atterwar*is fell out of the contest and ceased ail efforts to win. The Queen Victoria rowed over the course, and was thus declared the winner.— At Port Chalmers the new boat, the Union, built by Green, of Dunedin, was m.tched against the Pioneer, belonging to the Port Ghalmers Rowing Club, The course was from the old jetty round the barque Queen o. tho South. The crew of the Union consisted of Edgar, stroke; Walker, 3rd;

Burke, 2nd ; and Davis, bow. The following constituted the crew of the Pioneer : aokley, stroke ; Smith, .Trd ; 'hea, 2nd ; Watson, bow The Pioneer came m the winner by three lengihs. THE CHURCHES, At St. Joseph’s, masses were celebrated from six o'clock till eleven o’clock. At the latter hour high nn-ss began. Of tae musical portion of the services, tim Kyrie, Gloria, and Credo were from Haydn s First Mass ; theSanclus and Henedictns, from Goan M’s ; and the Agnus Dei, from Moztrt s First Mass. The Adesco Kulelcs was sung during the mass ; and the Hallelujah Chorus at the conclusion. Tile flight Rev. Dr. Moran [treadled. There was also a service in the evening —The interior of iSt. Paul’s was tastefully decorated. The rails of the communion table were adorned with evergreens here and there in festoon fashion. Immediately behind the communion table itself was a very effective symbol of ( 'brist’s dedh, with the word “ Immanuel ”in large white letters. On the first there was still another cross, in white, ' surmounted by a white star—emblems of peace and goodwill. The choir, staffs, and prayer desk, the pillars in the aisles, and the windows all shared in thogeae>al decorations. Un the walls mottoes in red and blue letters, on white grounds, intervened ; in other parts of the church, groups of evergreens and clusters of flowers were pleasantly conspicuous ; and on the front of the organ, in white letters on a red ground, was the brief but suggestive sentence, “ Peace on Earth.” firs Excellency, Lady Fergusson, and suite were present. Archdeacon fdwards preached the sermon, choosing for his text Matthew, c. 20, v. 28 —! I e o lection, which was in aid of the Bi-nevoU-nt Institution, amounted to 128 4 did. 'The interior of All Saints was decorared throughout with club moss. Over the arch of the chancel and over each window was a text. The choir was assisted by Mr Gordon, of the Carandini Company. The Rev. Mr [Stanford preached. There were large congregations at the three places of worship. AT THE TORT. Christmas Day was observed in the usual maimer at the Port yesterday. The different vessels in pore, were decorated with bunting and evergr.ens, the Zoalauclia being very conspicuous. The colors of mostly all the vessels were at half-mast during the day, as a mark of resnect to the late Capt, Edwards, formerly commander of the s.s. Orneo, and for many years connected with the firm of AlAieckan, Blackwood, and Co.