THE NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES.

Kumara Times, Issue 2292, 2 January 1884, Page 2

THE NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES.

■ ♦ What with the Volunteer rifle and lociil pedestrian matches, and the pteparations being made for the children's annual picnics on the morrow, the town of Kumara presented a very lively appearance ou the last day of.the old year, and as the eve of the New Year approached the streets were thronged with people. At midnight the Fire Brigade bell sent forth a peel, though not of the exciting strain which is usual to denote a fire; and moreover, as we had announced, so -it was known that the Brigade were to muster for a torchlight procession. At this hour the Brigade had mustered in full force, and, headed by the Catholic Brass Band, marched along Seddon street and up Main street, as far as the Post-office, back again and to the top end of Seddon street, bearing torches in their hands. Besides the torches, several members of the brigade were provided with fireworks—Roman candles, blue lights, and streamers, which were sent off hither and thither, producing a very pleasing and enlivening effect in a somewhat dark and hazy atmosphere. On their return to the Town Hall, the Brigade fired off signal rockets, triangle wheels, golden flower-pots, parachute rockets, mines of serpents, and tourbilliotis, which were witnessed by a very large concourse of people. Nearly every homestead furnished its quota of small .fireworks, such as wheels, crackers, bine Tights, Roman candles, and rockets; whilst many public business places were decorated with beautiful Chinese lanterns. During the general display of fireworks and immediately as the New Year rolled iu, the customary shaking of hands and affectionate greetings, compliments, and well wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year permeated the whole community, and lasted well into the few first hours of the first day of the New Year. At the dawn of light, the weather which had for a day or "two been of a threatening character for rain, manifested itself by one or two heavy showers. But, as if by the hand of a benignant Providence, who is stated iu Holy Writ to have'divided the waters of the Red Sea by a mighty east wind so that the Children of Israel might flee from Pharoah, so a strong sou'weat gale sprang up at about 8 o'clock, and continued all day, drying the streets and recreation grounds, and causing fine weather to prevail which otherwise must have been very unpropitious for the picnics. To-day we see the subsidence of the gale, and the consequent droppings of rain from the clouds which have been about for the past few days. Near midday the children who had mustered at the State Schools, where they had for some time been kept' waiting owing the late arrival of a band from the Waimea, marched in procession, headed by the Band, which discoursed good march music. They were* accompanied by the chairman and several members of the School and Picnic Committees and assistant teachers. They proceeded down Fifth street to Seddon street, up Third street, along Tui and Main sfcieetSito the junction of deddon street, along this street again to First street, and down the new road to Messrs Keech and Malloy's beautiful paddock on the banks of the Teremakau, where "they were regaled with tea, buns, and tarts. At about 12 o'clock also the children attending St. Patrick's day and Sunday Schools issued in procession from their school. They intended to have proceeded along Tui street to Fifth street, but to avoid passing the State School children marched straight down Third street, to and along Seddon street, and up Main street to the Recreation Ground. They were headed by the juvenile St. Patrick's Fife and Drum Band, and in Seddon street the Catholic Brass Band, which had been engaged for the day, played lively airs along the rest of the march to the Recreation Ground. The children were also accompanie 1 by the Rev. Fathers O'Connor (of Greymouth) and Walshe (Kumara), Messrs D. Hannan, J. O'Hagan, and others. Tea, buns, and cake were provided. The Brass Band played at intervals during the rest of the day, which was spent in wresting, running, jumping, and various other sports arranged by a committee, and many parents and friends visited the ground to see the children enjoying themselves. A strong wind was blowing all the. time, but as several remarked, it \vnn preferable to or less objectionable than the inevitable alternative of .'rain. After visiting the Catholic pic:i : c just described, we joined company wi.ij his Worship the Mayor (Denis fj . . nan, E<q.) in vW'ing wlnt •:•;! : -.-* Clllcd lil" P ••■.>! os*. mi ' i-;p : I -.• .'•.% \,n i ,i picnic, iu -M.oaM.-6'-iL Mallo/a

paddock. Here was gathered a very large muster of children and adults, numbering probably ten to twelve hundred souls. There were three booths erected for supplying liquor, fruit, and - all sorts of refreshments. The gale had unroofed Iltigg's calico-covered liquor booth, and aloO made unsecure the adjoining booth which was covered with galvanised iron, partly battened down. But even this was found to he dangerous, and it lud to be taken off. Upon the whole, however, the wind did not seem to militate much against the general happiness. The children, their parents, and friends, seemed everywhere to be enjoying themselves to their hearts' content. Numerous swings, including the swing boat, were kept constantly going; the Merry.-go-Round scarcely ceased its circumferential track, except to take fresh equestrians and passengers; races for the boys, races for the girls, races for big 'tins, races for the little 'tins, scrambles for lollies, were one or other kept almost constantly going by the energetic chairman of the School Committee and the gentlemen who kindly gave their services to aid in the successful carrying on of the various sports. Then there were small parties to be seen in various other parts of the green paddock enjoying themselves at cricket, rounders, twos-and-threes, kiss-jn-the-iing, whilst a band under the leadership of Mr A. Miller discoursed music at intervals, to the strains of which a large number of those who delight in dancing availed themselves, MrGreenroydacting asM.C. There was also a tough Tug of War. It was nearly seven o'clock before the greater part of the large company cared to leave the field which had proved a scene of so much enjoyment and pleasure. In the evening, at the Theatre Royal, the Kumara Amateur Dramatic Club gave a performance for the benefit of the picnic fund, on which occasion the popular Irish drama of " Kathleen Mavourneen " was produced with admirable' effect. And afterwards they played the farce of " The Quiet Family." The String Baud, under the able leadership of Mr A. Miller, performed at intervals during the evening a variety of popular Irish airs. The front and back seats were fairly filled, and the performances passed off most satisfactorily. During the interval between the plays Mr Seddon went on to the stage, and, on behalf of the School and Picnic Committees, thanked the amateur performers, and the ladies and all those who had assisted in carrying out the day's programme, for their kind aid; also the lady who presided at the pianoforte, and the leader and members of the String Band. The interval was also made a suitable opportunity for the Mayor (D. Hannan, Esq ) who gave it, to present the silver cup to the highest scorer in the Yolunteer and All-comers' rifle match which took place on Monday, the last day of the old year. Accordingly the Mayor and Vol. Schulstad made their appearance on the stage, and the Mayor in a few well-chosen words .presented the Cup to Vol. Schulstad.