CHRISTMAS AT PORT.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2134, 27 December 1880, Page 4

CHRISTMAS AT PORT.

There was no meagre distribution of tho usual preliminary evergreen decorations for <Jhristmas mode on Friday at Port, whether in reference to either business or private houses, and a considerable display of taste in the ornamenting of tho place was noticeable. Holly and mialetce predominated in the ex--ternal ornamental work on the private houses, while for business purposes what is known as the cabbage tree had perhaps tho advantage amongst rather a varied selection from the vegetable kingdom. With the shops Christmas Eve of 1880 was perhaps the_ busiest time since the one which preceded it, when, if aH that is said bo true, “things” were better. All of the tradespeople made an extra effort in the way of display, and between sunset and tho witching hour devoted to carol singing and to the less popular custom of’distributing “ egg nog,” tho leading thoroughfare of the place, London street, presented an -almost brilliant appearance. _ A very attractive lighting up with Chinese lanterns, adopted by Messrs Brown and Smith, unfortunately terminated in some loss by fire to that firm, and it may be said fortunately in a loes more nominal in extent tban the accident would have resulted in but for the energetic, action of one of the firm at the moment. A lantern in one of the front windows, which at the time was filled with a choice assortment of expensive fancy goods, took fire, and in much less time than it tokos to describe it had spread so as_ to almost warrant the opinion that a most serious fire must ensue. 'One of the members ot the firm, Mr Brown, in the shop, at the instant with great presence of mind and disregard of personal danger, sprang into the window and succeeded in smothering the most threatening looking of the flames, and tho others were quickly extinguished. No other like disasters occurred to mar tho evening’s celebrations, -and punctually at the appointed hour the choir of Trinity Church, with their friends, made their periodical round of visits and of -Christmas carol singing. The usual_ other ceremonies apropos the ushering in of Christmas morn were duly observed, and at daybreak tho shipping hoisted their bunting, and made other pleasing demonstrations of their attachment to the great Christian festival of the year. The churches, as is customary, were later on the centres of attraction, and were largely attended. At Holy Trinity _ Church the decorations were greatly admired, and deservedly so. The Rev. J. Townsend, the pastor, conducted the services. At the Wesleyan Church an unusually large variety of decorations, some of which were most beautiful in design, had been prepared, and tho church belonging to this congregation presented an especially handsome appearance. Tho Rev. Mr Beck, the pastor, officiated morning and evening. Similar decorations to those of last year were made at the Roman Catholic Church, and the usual services were celebrated, the Rev. Father Donovan offi elating. In other directions Christmas took the form of secular amusement. The trains conveyed not a few ot the people on pleasure bent either to ths Valley or to Christchurch, whilst excursions on the water were, owing to the extremely pleasant weather, greatly in favor, and the shady groves of Governor’s Bay reached by the little steamer Lyttelton from port were very liberally patronised. The observance of the day was suitably carried out by the master of the Orphanage, the inmates of his establishment being duly entertained with an abundance of plum padding, &o. The usual relaxation of stern discipline with a corresponding expansion of the dietary scale for the day obtained at H.M. Gaol, so that Merry Christmas may be said to have been marked by as great and widespread a degree of merriment in tho port on Saturday last *g prevailed with any of its predecessors.