CHRISTMAS DISPLAYS IN CHRIST-1 CHURCH.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 476, 24 December 1875, Page 2

CHRISTMAS DISPLAYS IN CHRIST-1 CHURCH.

Though the display this year of Christmas fare was not as general as on former occasions—especially among the butchers, who, remembering that Sunday would intervene and interfere with sales, had delayed slaughtering until last night—those tradesmen who had determined to run this risk came out in strong form, the exhibition of meat, as a whole, being perhaps the finest ever seen on an occasion of this kind in Christchurch, and the confectioners and pastry cooks excelling by comparison with previous seasons. Starting from this office, first Mr Dunn, poulterer, displayed a large assortment of poultry, comprising tempting looking turkeys, geese, ducks, fowls, chickens, pigeons, &c, arranged to best advantage, their individual merits being heightened in appearance by a display of bouquets and evergreens tastefully arranged, Next, Mr Swindell had an excellent display of various kinds of poultry also looking very tempting. Mr E. M. Mein’s shop, at the corner of Cashel and Colombo streets, so noted for its Christmas displays, was an object of attraction to a large number of persons, and deservedly so, for not only was the arrangement of the shop good, but its contents were a sight in themselves. The most prominent feature was the carcase of a short-horned heifer, weighing 11001 b, fattened by Mr S, Garforth, and which took the first prize at the Lincoln Show of 1873, the first prize at the Christchurch Exhibition in May, 1874, and the prize for the best beast on the grounds. Also the first prize at the Christchurch November show, and prize for best beast on the ground July exhibition, 1875. At the November Metropolitan Show, 1875, there was nothing shown to compete with it in its class. A large carcase pure bred Devon, which was highly commended at the last Christchurch show, and weighed 12001 b, looked splendid meat. The show of black-faced lambs at this shop was also really excellent, with a number of fine cross-bred sheep, with veal and pork of best quality to be seen along the line. The small goods window contained tempting items of all sorts, including suckers, and were a credit to their manufacturer, and to taste in their arrangement. The shop was neatly decorated with bouquets and evergreens, the cutting blocks being displayed with crown fats, and the posts outside covered with sheaves of evergreens, which, aided by the numerous gas lights, formed altogether a pleasing whole. Mr H. B. Lane, of Cashel street, had a fine display of beef that would cut even, a prominent feature being a beast, bred and fattened by Mr J. Ferguson, which took first prize at the Rangiora Show. Some Southdown mutton, and splendid Southdown lambs, of even weight, attracted the attention of the observer, the work of an artist being plainly apparent in their getting up. Among the show of meat was a very nice calf, and the arrangement of the shop with the aid of ferns and other evergreens, presented a very nice appearance, sufficient to attract the attention of a large number of observers.

Messrs Gaisford and Edwards, of Colombo street, had also a fine display of beef, mutton, and lambs,an exceptional exhibit being a grand calf bred and fattened by Mr Keith, of Fenj road, wighing about 1601bs. There was also a good display of suckers, small goods, &c.

The shop of Mr A MacDonald, corner of Cashel and Manchester streets (late Mr G. Bull), sustained its prestige of former seasons, as here there was a really splendid display of meat. Prominent was a first prize bullock, weighing 9Jcwt, bred and fattened by Mr J. Ferguson, which was only two and a half years old when it took the prize at the Christchurch midwinter show. Another two-year-old steer, bred and fattened by Mr Ferguson, which took second prize at the same show, and weighed Bcwt, was a splendid beast. A heifer, also bred and fattened by the same grazier, was an excellent beast, Particularly noticeable in this shop was a splendid calf, seven weeks old, bred and fattened by Mr Maurice Jones, and weighing 1301ba. There was also a fine display of even crosa Merino and Leicester lambs, bred and fattened by Mr J. Hayward, Kaiapoi Island, the artistic manner of their dfesping also adding to the excellence of their appearance. Along the line of hooks were also to be observed some fine bodies of two-tooth cross bred wethers, which had been bred by Mr Cracrolt Wilson and fattened by Mr S. Qarforth, to all appearance very even-cutting mutton. The shop was very nicely decorated with flowers and evergreens. Mr W. Rossiter, Papanui road, had a good show of beef, and some fine Down lambs ; a splendid calf pnly about seven weeks old, and bred by Mr Colhan, Milford, being a prominent feature. Mr G. fS. Husband, fishmonger, Papaqui road, had a good display of New Zealand salmon, flounders, butter fish, moki, barracouta, and smoked fish, arrived in the evening, and laid out to best advantage. Mrs Dennis’s poultry shop, Papanui road, looked well with its arrangement of prime turkeys, geese, ducks, fowls, and spring chickens, made all the more tempting in appearance by a judicious display of flowers evergreens, Mr O. greengrocer, Papanui road, had a good assortment or <*w*ients, nicely arranged. Mr Bashford, confectioner, Colombo street, had a large and tastefully arranged display of Christmas cakes in his window, bearing appropriate mottos, between which were arranged a varied collection of cosaques and other confectionery, relieved with bouquets and flowers. In an inner apartmeht, there were side tables, on which were arranged Japanese confections, and a confection entitled “ Mrs Caudle's lectures,” likely to be the sourse of much fun, Japanese fans, and attractive fancy boxes of sweetmeats. The window of Mr J. Boot, High street, was filled with Christmas cakes appropriately mottoed, and a varied assortment of confectionery, fruit, &c. Entering the shop of Mr A. Gee, Colombo street,* and having passed through an arch of greenery inside the door, the arrangement for the usual Christmas display was

very pleasing. The gasaliers were decorated with evergreens, set off with artificial roses, while an arch formed of leaves, relieved with lilies, and which joined the dividing counters, was evidence of the taste that had been displayed in the decorations. In the Colombo street window was a large assortment of Christmas cakes, bearing compliments appropriate to the season, carrying gelatine flags, on which were impressed similar complimentary wishes. To improve the display there were gaudy looking bottles of French fruits and vases containing confectionery of various colors. The Gloucester street window was arranged with an assortment of cosaques and other choice confections. A large quantity of cakes of various kinds were distributed throughout the shops. An inner room seemed to have been reserved as the feature of the Christmas display, as here were arranged novel and charming looking articles. Mr J. A. Boot, Papanui road, had a very nice display in his window of Christmas cakes, confectionery, fruit, &c, tastefully relieved with flowers and evergreens.