CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 December 1924, Page 4

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL.

AT MANAIA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The, Christmas festivities held at Manaia were well carried out. The various business premises were beautifully decorated, also the shop windows, which were a credit to the business people. . In the afternoon, over ,700 children assembled at the Octagon, motor ’busses bringing them,and parents from the surrounding districts, as’ well as the local children. Father Christmas arrived per motor ear at 2 p.m. and presented each child with a nice toy, also a bag of lollies. A ladies’ committee then took charge of the children and treated them to soft drinks, all the children thoroughly enjoying themselves. In the evening the town was brilliantly lighted, and a splendid open-air .concert was’ provided for the public. There was a very large crowd from all parts of the district. The, Manaia Municipal Brass Band opened the proceedings with a few well chosen selections. Afterwards the vocal items were.opened by Mr B. Badland, liis item being 'well receive and he had to respond; Vocal solos by Mrs West followed,, and she had to respond to an encore. A pianoforte duet by Mr and Mrs: C. Abbott was well received, and a song by Master Davis was well worthy of special comment and he had to respond to an encore. Miss C. Vine gave a nice rendition of her, vocal items and she also had to respond to an encore; also Mr Forester’s songs were well treated, and he also had to respond. A hula dance in costume was given by Miss Elkington, accompanied by her brother (A. Elkington) on the guitar and her sister.' The singing was very good and she had to respond to an. encore. The Manaia Municipal Brass Band completed the programme with several more items, including Christmas carols/ The business people of Manaia speak .well of the trade done on Xmas Eve and. are to be / heartily commended on their hew enterprise. It is the first 'time that this has been done in Manaia and I am sure it was a step in the right direction. The various churches in .Manaia:, and surrounding districtheld services in connection with the festive season on Christmas Day and large congregations were present. ■ The Manaia Municipal Brass Band will play a select programme on New Year’s Eve in the rotunda. - AT OPUNAKE. Following: a period of unseasonable weather Christmas Eve was bright andseasonable; Throughout the day and evening tradespeople were kept -very busy, and in most cases the day’s takings constitute a record. - During the evening the Federal Band enlivened the main street with several selections, which’ were greatly appreciated, as was shown in the response to the collection taken up in aid of the band’s.funds. ... ■ Numerous visitors are spending'their holidays in Opunake, the beach again proving a popular attraction. All available accommodation is reported to be booked up for some weeks- ahead. Boxing Day saw a large attendance of visitors at the beach from the sur : rounding towns and district; A collection taken up in aid of’ the: Seaside Society’s improvement fund netted a return of £ls 11s. It is proposed-to also .take up a collection on New Year’s ■'.Day. .