NEW ZEALAND.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2410, 26 December 1881, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

[PEB PBEBB ASSOCIATION.! AUCKLAND, December 24. A Man Burnt. A man named Harry Jones was burned to death at Whangapua in a building called the Yankee Restaurant. A Receiver. Richard Best, for feloniously receiving stolen goods from John Arnistein, was sentenced to six months with hard labor. A Wholesale Thief. The police have arrested a man named Frederick Zane, and on searching his house they found two cartloads of linen stolen from clothes’ lines, and £4O worth of boots and shoes, shoemaker’s tools, &0,, taken from the premises of Messrs Garrett. Incautious. A lad named Butterworth fell over a cliff in Judge’s Bay while gathering flowers, and was seriously injured. NEW PLYMOUTH, December 24. The Maori Prophet. The Urenui correspondent to the '* Taranaki Herald” writes: —"I hear that Te Whiti, through his son (who visited his father in gaol), has ordered all the Natives back to Parihaka. The Natives who gave me this information cannot say when they are to go back, but it is evident that To Whiti is in communication with hie people.” WELLINGTON, December 24. The Maori King. The Government have received the following telegram from Auckland “ Tawhoio writes that he is coming to Alexandra to act as judge at the sports and races on Monday next.” DUNEDIN, December 25. Sudden Death. Captain McDiarmid, of the brigantine Fairlie, from Sydney, died very suddenly on Saturday afternoon. He was having a meal in the cabin, when ho suddenly fell forward on his knees and expired in a short time. The cause of death was apoplexy. The Weather. The weather here ie reujarkably warm. The Usual Result of Cheap Pares. The arrivals by train from all directions have been very numerous, as a result of the cheap fares.

CHUECH DECOEATIONS AND SBEVICBB. At it customary at tbit season of the year the various Anglican churches in the city and the Boman Catholic Church were decorated, and services appropriate to the occasion held. Details are given below: — THE CATHEDRAL. The service in the Cathedral on Christmas Eve commenced at half-past seven o’clock. It consisted of the ordinary evening service with some special musical features added, including three Christmas carols. The first lesson was read by Canon Cotterell, and the second by the Very Rev. the Dean. The anthem was “ I waited for the Lord’ ’ (Mendelsohn) rendered by the choir in a very effective manner. “ While Shepherds Watched their Flocks” was sang as a processional hymn, and “ Hark the Herald Angels Sing” as a recessional. Calkin’s setting in B fiat was selected for the responses and canticles. The Christmas carols were “ Good King Wenoeslaus,” “On the Birthday of the Lora” and “ Christmas Day.” These were all given in a manner which reflected credit upon the choir and the organist. There was a special collection at the conclusion of the service in aid of the choir boys’ recreation fund. The Cathedral was largely attended yesterday morning, and in the evening there was a crowded congregation. No attempt was made at a general decoration of the church, a few flowers being tastefully arranged along the chancel rail, on the pulpit, and on the Communion table. In the morning the sermon was preached by the Most Rev. the Primate, and the anthem was Lift up your heads ” (Hopkins). In the evening the Very Rev. the Dean preached, taking for his text Isaiah, chap. ix. verse 6, “ Unto us a Child is born ; unto us a Son is given.” The anthem selected was “ Glory to God,” from the Messiah. Both morning and evening the musical portion of the service was given in Stainer’s setting. There were celebrations of the Holy Communion at seven o’clock and eight o’clock in the morning.

ST. MICHAEL’S. St. Michael’s Church was well attended both in the morning and evening. The decorations were very pretty, the design being simple and the general effect produced remarkably good. Considerable use was made of toi-toi, which, in combination with green leaves, made a very graceful fringe to the arches and windows. The lectern was nicely ornamented with red and white flowers arranged in the form of a cross, and the font was decorated with ferns and lilies. A few bouquets of flowers were placed on the communion table, and the pulpit and the pillars were wreathed with garlands, ST, JOHN’S, LATIMER SQUARE. In accordance with the usual custom, a vigil service was held on Christmas Eve at this church, commencing at 11 p.m. There was a large attendance. The choir, under Mr Landergan, the choir master and organist of the church, rendered the various carols excellently. These comprised " Good Ring Wenoeslaus,” “It was the very noon of night,’’ “ The first Nowell,” “ Good Christian men rejoice,” &o. On Christmas Day the service was folly choral. The Psalms selected were 19, AS, and 85 ; the anthem was “ Behold, I bring you good tidings. ” The hymns were, 61, “Christians awake,’’ and 60, “Hark, the Herald[Angels,” the latter being sung as a recessional. The incumbent, the Rev. H. O, M. Watson preached, taking his text from John i., verse 14. The decorations of the church were marked with great taste. The lectern, reading desk, and choir stalls were wreathed with evergreens, interspersed with white lilies and red geraniums. The arch of the chancel was also decorated, and the font was a mass of white flowers and greenery. At the evensong service the same anthem was sung as at the matins. BT. LUKE’S. The festival of the Nativity was fittingly celebrated at St. Luke’s yesterday, the services being Holy Oommnnion at eight o’clock, which was well attended, with morning service at eleven, followed by a second celebration of the Eucharist and Evensong. The special items of the ordinary services were the processional hymn, “ Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” The anthem, “Sing and Rejoice,” from Zeohariah, 2nd chapter, supplemented by a verse from “ Adestes Fideles,” whilst, during the offertory, the hymn, “Whilst Shepherds Watched their Flocks,” was given. The decorations were neat, bat effective. Above the western door was inscribed “ The Day Spring from on High hath visited txs.” Whilst above Vhe entrance to the chancel the text "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth Peace, and Goodwill toward Men” was seen. This was surmounted by the words, “Unto us a Child is Born, unto ub a Bon is given,” the terminal being emblazoned by the sacred monogram on a red ground. The windows and doorways were trimmed prettily with holly and fir respectively, the pillar capitals being decked with fillets of ivy and toi toi. The font was set off with ivy, lilies, and greenery ; and choir stalls, reredos, and reading desk were also appropriately decorated. The services were all fully choral and well attended. ST. MARY’S, MERIVALE. The Christmas decorations at the above ohnroh were excellent, and the building presented a very pretty appearance. The walls wore fringed with holly leaves, and sacred monograms were interspersed throughout them, the pillars supporting the aisle being treated in a like manner. The font was a mass of geranium blossom, and the cross beams dividing the ohanoel from the nave were surmounted with crosses composed of white lilies. Upon the chancel itself much care had been bestowed. The decorations, eomE rising sacred monograms, banners, and scrolls, earing the words “High and Mighty God,” and others. The services commenced on Christmas eve at 10 p.ca., and a large congregation was present. On Sunday, at 8 a m., there was a oommnnion service, and at 11 a.m, the services were fully choral, the Incumbent conducting, the Icseone for the day being read by Mr Fergnseon. The hymns selected for the occasion were 61 and 62, A. and M. The Incumbent took for his text—" His name shall be called Wonderful," Isaiah ix., 6. The anthem, which was well rendered, was “ Sing O Heavens.” At the evening service the Incumbent again conducted, but owing to indisposition, was unable to preach. The service was concluded with the hymn, “ While Shepherds watched.”- His Excellency the Governor was present at this service. HOLY TRINITY, AYONSIDB. At this church there was an early celebration of the Holy Communion on Christmas Day, commencing at 8 a.m. The processional hymn was “ Good Christian men,” the hymns being 323 and 324, Ancient and Modern, and the recessional “ Nunc Dimitris.” At the matin service the processional was “O come all ye faithful,” the anthem being “ O Zion that bringest good tidings.” The hymns were 60 and 61. The sermon was preached by the Incumbent, the Rev. Mr Fasooe. At evensong the processional was hymn 58, the psalms 110 and 132, and the anthem the same as at matins. Hymns 59 and 60 were sung, and as a recessional hymn 391, “ Onward Christian Soldiers.” The decorations at this ohnroh were very good. Oyer the ohanoel was the word “Alleluia,” and in different portions of the ohnroh appropriate texts. The lines and arches of the windows were traced out with holly and flowers, and the choir stalls, lectern and reading desk wore also wreathed with flowers and evergreens. The decoration of the font was specially good. It was completely covered with white lilies, scarlet geraniums, and blue corn flowers, which, with the evergreens, had a very pretty effect. ST. MATTHEW’S. The services at this ohnroh yesterday were in keeping with the festival of the day, being Holy Oommnnion at 8 a.m., at which fifty were present. The feature of the day was that the choir were surpliced for the first time, the surplices being presented by Dr. Irving. The morning service at 11 o’clock, which was choral, was commenced by the processional hymn, “O come all ye Faithful.” the recessional hymn being “ The Heavenly Word proceeding forth.” The evening service was also choral, and the attendance both morning and evening was very good, especially in the morning. The church was very appropriately decorated. The Rev. R. A. Mortimer officiated at all the services of the day. THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. At the Roman Catholic Church, Barbadoea street, the usual Christmas services were held, commencing at an early hour, and continuing at intervals till past noon. At the High

Mass the music, chiefly Mozart’s Twelfth Mass, was given by an efficient choir, Mr Towle presiding at the organ. The decorations were principally confined to the side altars, which were covered with flowers j the pillars and arches wore wreathed with garlands. LYTTELTON. Though in some respects the observance o£ Christmas may be said to have been less general at Fort than usual, the preparation made on Saturday, the special services In the churches on Christmas Eve and yesterday were quite equal to anything met with in previous years. The shop and hotel decorations with flowers and evergreens were provided unstintedly, and on Saturday night the principal shopping streets of the town wore an unusually busy and animated appearance. The fancy bazaars, whence eometh the eagerly looked-for good things carried by the mysterious chimney midnight visitor Santa Claus into the carefully hung up stockings, were o£ course the centre of attraction, and drove a profitable night’s business. As the shops closed, the churches opened, and notably at Holy Trinity Church there was a very largo attendance to hear the Christmas carols rang. The pastor in charge, the Rev. J. Townsend, before the proceedings terminated gave a brief address, prefacing it by wishing his audienoo “A Merry Christmas.” Referring to the use of the term "merry,” ha said it was a merriness which lay deeper than mere worldly joy, and was incapable of being clouded by worldly sorrow; that it consisted in the knowledge that on that day God gave his greatest gift to man. The reverend gentleman also referred to Christmas as a season for gathering of friends together, for healing family differences, doing kind deeds to neighbours, in short, for realising something of that universal charity which Christ canto to establish. It was a season, also, which should be celebrated before all others, because it was the anniversary of the freedom of the human race from sin and misery. The address, which was delivered with fervid eloquence, was listened to throughout with close attention, and was concluded by the reverend gentleman in an earnest appeal to not be content to see the Saviour by that polo reflected light which the celebration of Christmas has in its social enjoyments and mere family pleasures, but rather'to contemplate and see him in that gloriously pure and perfect light which streams forth from tho cradle of Bethlehem.

Soon after midnight the Lyttelton Brass Band started on a tour round the town and serenaded the residents, playing selections of sacred music. Yesterday Christmas services were held in all the churches with special reference in the sermons to the inosrnation of the Saviour. Great taste was displayed ia. the decorations of the places of warship. Flowers and evergreens were grouped into appropriate emblems, and the usual scriptural" texts adorned the walls. Recognition of the 25th of December was also shown by the shipping in port by decorations of evergreens and flags. The children at the Canterbury Orphanage were treated to an extra dietary scale with a dessert of cakes, oranges, lollies, Sro, Their usual Christmas festival, including the historical Christmas tree, will take plaae on Twelfth Night, all being well. At the Roman Catholic Church yesterday morning Farmer’s mass in B flat was given. Father Welch being celebrant. There was r large congregation present.