THE NEW YEAR.

Kumara Times, Issue 2597, 2 January 1885, Page 2

THE NEW YEAR.

If the Christmas holidays and sports were marred, as doubtless they were, by the occasional showers of rain which fell from day to day for two or three weeks past, making field sports tame and flat, the proverbial fine weather prevailed for the customary New Year's Day children's picnics in Kurnara. We should first of all notice the grand demonstration made by the Fire Brigade on the previous night. Precisely at the appointed time (10.30 p.m.) on New Year's Day eve, two short peals of the fire-bell were the signal for the Brigade to be at the Fire Station, next the Town Hall, and, having speedily equipped themselves, they made a start in procession with the engine and hose-reel down Seddon street and up Main street as as far as the Post Office. The Brigade mustered in full force, beariug lighted torches, and were headed by the Brass Band, numbering 21 performers, who played lively airs during the march, which was continued to the upper end of Seddon street, and down again to the Town Hall. Besides the torches, very powerful blue lights were shown from either side of the fire engine, and beautiful streamers here and there to right and left. On arrival at the Town Hall, H. Burger, Esq., acting in the dual capacity of Mayor and Captain of the Fire Brigade, addressed a few words appropriate to the occasion and delivered congratulations on the auspicious event of seeing the old year out and the new year in. At 12 midnight the fire-bell penled loudly the entry into the New Year, and then commenced a grand display of fireworks—Roman candles, sky rockets, flower pots, mines, golden and jewel fountains, wheels, saxon and a tonrbillioti. For the success of the display of fireworks, great credit is due to Mr Orams, the energetic fire brigade's- | man. Whilst the fireworks were being let off, shaking of hands and general greetings for a happy and prosperous New Year were going on everywhere, the whole community seeming to have turned out for the especial purpose. New Year's Day, 1885, will ever be remembered as a grand day. Whether it be in answer to the prayers of the littlo folks or not, we must acknowledge that a Beneficent Providence seems to smile upon our New Year picnics. A finer day could not be wished for, and it was generally unexpected. However, After dark vapours have oppressed our fields For a long dreary season ; came a day Born of the gentle South, and cleared away From the sick heavens all unseemly stains. Even Commander Edwin's generally correct predictions seem to have been set at naught in this instance, though it may lie mentioned those on Wednesday afternoon were for wet and unsettled weather from the 0,-ist and south-east, and when this is the case it

rarely comes across the dividing ranges to the West Coast, and we uotice by a telegram that the Christchurch races had to be postponed yesterday on account of the heavy rain till to-morrow, Lancashire Park being a quagmire. Before 11 a.m. the children attending St. Patrick's School marched therefrom down (.o Seddon street, up Main street, and along Tui .street to the Catholic School grounds. They were accompanied by the Fathers Walshe and Brown. The Brass Band headed the procession. The children were regaled with buns and tea, and enjoyed sports, some account of which we purpose giving in another issue. Before 12 o'clock the Band, in full muster, also proceeded to the State School, and heading a procession of the children attending the various public and private schools, the whole marched down to Seddon street, up Main street, and back to First street, down which the children then went to Messrs Keech and Malloy's paddock, which had been kindly lent, as heretofore, for the occasion. Sports of every description were got up. There were swings, a swing boat, a merry-go-round, a large platform (30ft. by 30ft.) for dancing. The Braas Band, being a large one, was enabled to divide, pari playing for the State School picnic, anc part for the St. Patrick's School. Be sides dancing for tho older folks, w< observed cricket, twos and threes, anc kiss-in-the-ring were indulged in, anc generally everyone seemed to be enjoj ing themselves. In the evening there was the unusus circumstance of two local amateur per formances on the same night, one a the Adelphi Theatre, in aid of th Literary Institute, where the magnifi cent three act drama of "The Greei Fields of Old Ireland" was produced by purely local talent; the other, a the Theatre Royal, for the benefit o the Children's Picnic Fund, where j grand vocal and instrumental concer was given by the Stafford Town Chora Society assisted by lady aud gentlemei amateurs of Knmara. It was though one or other, if not both, would prove a failure, but both entertainments wen patronised most liberally. The froir seats and gallery at the Adelphi wen crammed; and there, was a large audience at the Royal, certainly not less than 200 people, all the front seat being well filled. Both entertainment! passed off most successfully. Mr W Barnett (President) returned thanks tc the audience and company of performer* and to Mrs Williams, the piauiste ou behalf of the Institute; and Mi Seddon, M.8.R., (Chairman ef the School Committee) thanked the vocal ists as well as the audience for theii efforts and attendance at the Royal. We purpose giving a fuller notice tomorrow.