CHRISTMAS DISPLAYS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 172, 24 December 1874, Page 2

CHRISTMAS DISPLAYS.

As many of the shopkeepers in the city had last night anticipated their uiual Christmao eve display, an earlier opportunity was given us of describing—in accordance with our J usual custom—the extra attractions looked for by an English people at this time of year. Following the order that has hitherto obtained, we commence with the butchers, and the first from starting are Messrs Clarkson Brothers, who have a very nice display of meat, noticeably in beef, three heifers fed by Mr J. Ferguson, weighing each about 750; two calves, bred and fed by Mr Smith, Avonhead, each about 120; two half-bred Leicesters, each 1101 b; and a very nice display of even half-bred lambs, bred and fed by Mr Patterson, of Prebbleten. The window was arranged in tasteful order, with inviting-looking sucking pigs, bred by Mr Frost, of Riccarton, besides a large display of hams, tongues, (poultry, and small goods, decorated with flowers, which presented a very pleasing appearance. In the order of the route, Mr Dunn, poulterer, Cashel street, was next noticeable for his large assortment of poultry, some large size geese and turkeys looking all 201bs each. At Mr Mein’s shop (corner of Cashel and Colombo streets) the usual display of meat, so prominent last Christmas-eve, had been postponed until to-night, but the Cashel street window was displayed with porkers, calves’ heads, tongues, pies, and general small goods, arrayed with an eye to taste, the chef d'cenvrc being two designs of palms, in fat overhanging a large ham, bearing the appropriate compliment, “ A merry Christmas to you all.” The footpath was lined with spectators during the evening, and the universal remarks of approbation must have been pleasing to Mr Borrett, small goods manager to Mr Mein, whose work was the subject of comment. The shop of Mr Sharp, pork butcher, Colombo street, was also an object of attraction, an object which could not fail to catch the eye on entering, being a monster pig, weighing about 4001bs, surmounted by a juvenile sucker, which only served to show the contrast. The shop was also hung with numerous porkers, showing careful selection and quality, but that most distinguishable was the window laid out in groups, with suckers wearing collars of various colors, pinned with a rosette, the small goods so interspersed with evergreen relieves as to form a tout cnscuible at once pleasing and effective. Messrs Gaisford and Edmonds, Colombo street, had a very nice display of meat, prominent being a splendid four - year - old heifer, bred and fed by Mr Keith, Ferry road, weighing about 8001bs. A veal, bred and fed by Mr Pride, Riccarton, weighing 1201bs, and a number of even half-bred Down lambs, bred and fed by Mr J. Johns, Papanui. The windows were also tastefully displayed with porkers, small goods, some in pyramidal form, the whole divided by flowers and evergreens, which had a very nice appearance. Mr G. Bull, butcher, corner of Manchester and Cashel streets, had really an exceptional display of meat, the majority being prize animals, most prominent being the first prize three-year-old, and second prize heifer at the late Metropolitan Show, bred by Mr Wm. Boag, Fendaltown, and fattened by Mr J; Ferguson, weighing 8201bs. In the shop was also a first prize steer at the late Lincoln Agricultural Show, and highly commended at the late Metropolitan exhibition, bred by Mr Pannett, and fattened by Mr S. Garforth, also weighing 8201bs. Noticeable also was a first prize three-year-old heifer at the Christchurch Show, bred by Mr W. Boag, and fattened by Mr J. Ferguson, weighing SOOlbs. Mr Bull also showed nice veal bred and fed by Mr Williamson, Papanui, weighing about 901bs, some really fine crossbred lambs, bred and fattened by Mr B, Griffiths, Spreydon farm, and some first prize long woolled wethers at the late' Metropolitan show, under 18 months old, snowing a great deal of Lincoln, and bred amreattened by Mr J. Hurse, Woodend, average of 951bs, one weighing as muchfa„ 1501bs. A feature also was two first prize fat ewes at the late Christchurch exhibition, by the same breeder, weighing 93 to 95 lbs. On the shop boards was displayed crown fats, and the various pillars were decorated with evergreens, with flowers and rosettes interposed. Mr Deering, pork butcher, Colombo street had a show of pork and small goods, his arrangements being evidently incomplete. The window of Mr Boot, confectioner, High street, was tastefully arranged, the centre of the upper shelf of the window being filled with a wedding cake —a work of art, and enclosed in a glass case. The lower portion of the window was filled with Christmas and new year cakes bearing the several compliments, vases containing flowers and French sweetmeats filling up the spaces, disposed of in tasteful order. Entering the shop of Mr Gee, confectioner, Colombo street, a display of evergreens in tasteful arrangement first met the eye, while the designs of fancy confectionery in every variety bearing the compliments of the season, looked not only nice but tempting. Entering the ladies’ room was found displayed a large assortment of fancy French sweets, the “ Cosaque,” a favorite with young ladies, being prominent in all shades of designs and rich colors. Among the many novelties in this room was a new table firework, forming a bouquet of flowers, theß favored one receiving a geranium whichH explodes gently in hia hand, no doubt to big I

slight consternation and the general amusement, while his pleasantry is restored by the motto which he also receives.

Mr Pyett, confectioner, Armagh street, had an excellent show of Christmas trees, fancy confectionery, &c,, and altogether the window was dressed very tastefully. The various Chxistmas trees bearing toys, sweets, &c., which were lighted up, had a very pleasing effect.

The leading grocers and greengrocers throughout the city also presented their usual Christmas display; the latter, from the large supplies of delicacies received in their line, evidently anticipating the general desire for the possession of the best of things exhibited by the public at this season of the year.

The Christmas Decorations at Lyttelton. —Messrs Parkinson and Co’s shop, Norwich Quay, was handsomely decorated last night with a profusion of evergreens and flowers. They had a splendid show of meat. Two heifers, a bullock, and two calves, from Mr Parkinson’s run at Kaituna, and some sheep and lambs from Mr John Gebbie’s, were really prime. In Canterbury street, Mr Bunker’s shop was decorated with holly, with cherries tied on to represent the berries. At Mr Judge’s, in London street, there was a fine show of meat, decorated with evergreens and flowers. Mr the tobacconist, in Norwich Quay, decorated his Mr shop in London street is beautifully with fronds of the tree ferns, and there iTa handsome Christmas tree inside the shop. Messrs Pitcaithly and McKeever have both a splendid show of meat, nicely decorated.