District News.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 24 December 1912, Page 3

District News.

iSVIiNTS IN SHANNON

(Chronicled by Our Resident Representative). In yours gone by it was the custom, to deck the outside of the shops with ferns, nikau and native shrubs. This lias gone out of date in tlio older townships, principally for tiie reason that euch decorations are .inobtainable; or rather, too difficult to get at. Shannon has folio .ved tlio rule, but what tho shops lack in outside artistic ornamentation tac inside and tho windows fully compensate for the loss of the former On Saturday night the town was thronged with people bent on making purchases. The shops windows were tastefully arranged. iFargher and Co.'s boot, mercery, drapery, and millinery display's were very attractive. The •large windows wero splendidly" lit up and showed tho fine stock to advantage. If numbers thronging tho premises was any indication of business, Fargher and Co. bad no reason to complain, (•turning's (where they keep the versatile Tilling and I'erry, the inimitalile butler )on the grocery side J and the humorous Clayton of debate in the drapery. Three stars.forgot their part on the boards, aud were busily engaged in the real things of life—namely, making up Christmas parcels by tlio bushel. Such a large shop might have had a little more display for Christmas Mr J. Murray, the popular proprietor of the emporium in Ballance street, whore everything in everyday use is kept, did a roaring business. The goods in the shop were tastefully set out—the grocery window was a display of tempting Christmas faro. Mr T. Gibson made a speciality of Christmas presents; the window in which these were displayed was a temptation to buy something for the "'Missus 1 ' for Christmas. The grocery window was also a bait for the lovers of good things in the eating line. Laurvig's for millinery, dresses and finery. This is a ladies establishment. The reputation of the proprietor as a costumier for the fair sex has travelled n long way beyond the boundary of Shannon. Miss Dunckley's was tho resort for Christmas cards, Christmas papers and periodicals and Christmas presents. Tho numerous papers were sufficient testimony that the proprietor was well aware of the popular taste,. Our old friend Bromley was well up in leather; his stock of boots were n special selection for holiday wear. Mr W. Kirkland, the local tailor, was particularly busy in his new shop, he and his assistants working late and early to cope with the orders, Tn the meantime the Shannon Meat Company have very large orders on hand for Christmas eve. The head of the firm, the genial Mr AV. S. Carter, is not wearing his usual happy-go-lucky smile; the weight of orders 011 hand is hanging 011 him. On Boxing Day he will no doubt be more spruce, as he boards the train. Mr J. Richardson and his man 01 delivery "Dan" are a host in the meat trade. Stocks of lamb, sucking pig «nd suitable Christmas fare is swiftly going through their hands, 011 the whole the business people iof the town are doing good trade: much better than was expected af'ter such a lengthy period of rain and flood. Our grand old man Mr fr. N "Woods, J.P., is still hale and hearty and I am desired by the football am hockey lads to wish him on their be half a Merry Christmas and a Hap pv New Year.