EAST COAST NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1355, 16 January 1905, Page 3

EAST COAST NEWS.

.TOLAGO BAY. ■. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The festive season has come and gone with the usual accompaniments of music ' an d gaiety. On Christmas eve the school&OUS0 was the centre of attraction for old and young, a splendid Christmas tree bavin" been erected, and every preparation made for a night’s entertainment. The "tree was beautifully decorated, and covered with toys of all sorts, and brilliantly lit up. The whole was given by Mrs Hale, assisted by Mosdames Farrell, Tulloek, Nelson, Agnew, and Smith, with Mr Maurice Fitzgerald acting the part of Santa Claus, to the great delight of the youngsters. Mr W. A. Holder distributed the prizes off the tree, every child getting some eift. The little ones wore delighted, and went home well satisfied with the night’s fun. Snppsr was provided by the elders, and partaken of amid the strains ’ of the local brass band of Native per.formers discoursing sweet mnsie till the dawn of Christmas day. Great crodi. is dne to those who gave the treat for the children, and also to the ladies end cent’emen who assisted to make it so suc--cesssful. On Boxing-day the people ■turned out in gay attire, some to patronise the excursion to Cook’s Cove, and some picnic spots absorbing the rest of tho boh--day-seokors. Tho day was lovely, and all had a pleasant time of it. On Now Year s eve the people assembled on the parade to hear the band discoursing appropriate music, and to soo tho display of fireworks, awaiting tho advent of the New Year. On -the stroke of 12 o’clock the church bolls rang in tho new year, with tho wish to all ■ of continued prosperity and a happy New Year. On Kew Year’s day the annual •sports were bold on tho racecourse. The weather was fine, and the attendance was wovy large. , , . n To give you fcbe number of vessels cal.Ing here lately would simply mean a very long list, also a shipping reporter, in fact too many to enumerate. When I get short **Tbt news I will make up the list. The Bov. Mr Grant gave an improssive Service on Christmas evening to a largo congregation, and on Saturday evening, January sib, he gave an address to men only, which was largely attended. Messrs Fraser and Son opened up iheir new promises on Christmas ovo wwb varied assortment of novelties and toys •of every description, in another window •dainties in corfS6tiooary and a nice assort....YTffiNY■.displayed. Tho crush f the shop made it impossible ■io obtain'.blore than a glimpse of tho show, -so booming was the trade. The steel upper work for tho bridge has arrived in New Zealand. The Coanty Engineer, Mr DeG. Frßser, aqd wife, are spending a few day’s holiday in Tolago. Mr Tulloek s mother and sisters are visiting here. Miss Ida Oldham, of Auckland, is -stopping with her sister, Mrs A. C. Linwood, for a few days. The engagement of Mr George Jolly, A, oldest son of Mr Bon Jolly, of Tnkapua, to ’ .A Gertrude, eldest daughter of Mr H. Good- ■: ley, of Tolago, iB announced. The wedding'ls to take place at Easter. .