The Holidays.

Hastings Standard, Issue 206, 28 December 1896, Page 3

The Holidays.

The Christmas holidays ?.re over. * and, although everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly, mo-t sober-:uinded people will be to r. - »:■.>• the shackles of everyday emp'.oyn.f t.t. It mold be too much to s;,.y that business in Hastings rtsiuawd it; u~ual activity to-day. becans- holidays are, to speak candidly, demoralising, and after the excitement of the Xmas season is over business oscillates for a little- tune be:ore settling down into its work-fltMeroove. In our town the enjoyed in orthodox British style that is sorrowfully. Those amongst us who felt " so disposed " turned ves loose in picnic parties, and others. prompted by the savage bnbarian instinct down somewhere in the nature of every mortal, were glad of an excuse to escape from tbe trammels of nineteenth century •• biled shirts " and stiii*collars by taking " tent and tucker " down to the beach and livitig for three whole days in pyjamas and glorious irresponsibility. On Christmas Day midnight mass was celebrated in the Catholic Church by Father Smyth assisted by a strong choir, who sang Baldi's Mass under the baton of Mr Loughnan. The soloists were Miss Lee (soprano). Mr S. Knight (tenor), and Mr Loughnan (bass). On Christmas night the Rev. Mr Hobbs conducted an impressive service at the Engli.-h Church. The choir rendered two anthems ■■ When Shepherds watch their Flocks," and " Like Silver Lamps," the soloists being Messrs Ridgway and Thornton. At tbe conclusion the Rev. Mr Ilobtx, on the part of the choir and the con gregation, presented the choirmaster, Mr 11. 11. Hunt, with a substantial cbe«]tte as a recognition of his work in connection with the choir. The timehonored custom of carolling was not forgotten, as the Town Band under Bandmaster Fowler and the Salvation Army Band went round the district heralding the approach of Christmas. On Boxing Day the Presbyterian Sunday School held a picnic at Mount Erin, and the local Salvation Army supplemented by the brass band of the Napier corps picnicked most successfully in Cullen's paddock on the Havelock Road. The 1.0. G.T. were not behind in celebrating the season as Mr Kingswell and his merry men and maidens were in evidence on she beach. The private parties who went out to enjoy themselves are beyond description, every willow tree and running stream in the district had its little party, and the difficulty picnicers had to contend a«rainst was to find the unoccupied willow tree and stream. The community may congratulate itself upon its sobriety and respect for law and order for, to the credit of Hastings be it said, there was not a solitary case of drunkenness for the court this morning.

[BY TEI.EI fR.\ fii. (/Vr I V«.« Wkixin«.t<>x, This day. The weather for- Xmas was warm with a fresh nor'wester blowing. So tar as known at present the holiday passed off without accident. The weather to-day is dull with a high northerly wind. The chief attractions in town is the cricket match. Queensland v. New Zealand and the exhibition. Numerous marine and railway excursions are arranged. The Rotomahana took a great crowd across the Strait to Picton. A slight collision occurred between two engines at Paremata on the Manawatu line. Very little damage was done. Pi-xkdiv. This day. The weather is delightful for the holiday. The principal attractions are the Wakatipu excursion to Oamaru and the military sports at Tahuna Park. LITTLE RIVER REGATTA. Chbjstcht'rch. This day. There was a large attendance at the Little River regatta held on Lake Forsyth on Boxing Pay. The various events resulted : Senior single sculls, outriggers : C. Chapman (Waiwera), 1 : G. MeGrath (Dunedin), 2. Maiden pairs: Lyttelton, 1; Canterbury, 2. Senior pairs : Waiwera, 1 ; Union, 2. Junior pairs : Cniou, 1 ; Lyttelton, 2. Youth's pair: Akaroa. 1 ; Waiwera, 2. Maiden double sculls: Akaroa, 1 : "Waiwera, 2. Senior double sculls : Union 1 : Waiwera, 2. Junior double sculls : I nion, 1 ; Avon, 2. Senior single scull*, in stump outriggers: F. Samuels (Union), 1.