THE HOLIDAYS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 36, 30 December 1879, Page 2

THE HOLIDAYS.

The festive season, to which both young and old look with expectancy during the year, has come and gone, and' already our eyes are peering through the mist of time towards nekt " Christmas." On Thursday tlte weafrher was all that could be desired, a gentle breeze tempering the heat of the sun. In the townships where there there were resident clergymen most of the churches were opened, and the sweet strains of the grand old hymn, " Christians, awake," were heard. Others of the settlers who regard Christmas as a day for keeping which no man may judge them, spent the day in holidaylnaking — some upon the river in boats, whilst others went riding and " pic-nicing " in different directions. Those who had their enjoyment on Thursday certainly stole a march upon those "who devoted themselves to more sacred pursuits, for Friday was one of the most miserable days that could be conceived, the sound of heavy rain at 2 a.m. waking from then.' light slumbjrs those who were anticipating a day's holiday. As the daylight came in, anxious eyes were strained out of the windows, only to see dull, leaden clouds, and a slight south-easterly wind, which betokened only too plainly a pouring wet day. The upcountry trains were, however, patronised fairly, a number of persons determining to dare the elements in the hope that a break might occur at midday. They were doomed to disappointment, for the further north the train went, the worse the weather became. Upon arrival of the secqnd train at Palmerston, our representative beheld the Palmerston Sports Committee, headed by the portly figure of " our Palmerston contemporary," plodding through the rain and slush, and returning from the ground where the sports were to have

been held, conveying the gloomy in. telligence, " Sports postponed until to-morrow." The excursionists therefore proceeded on to Feilding^kere things were even more gloomy than at Palmerston. The rain was heavier, the wind colder, and the general appearance of the place more wretched than at the older township. On the sports grounds a few barnlike struct tures were in course of erection, some covered with planks, others with calico, but all like superior showerbaths. Under these " shedifices " some 150 men and boys, 1 female adult, and 1 little girl were huddled, looking as wretched and unhappy as could possibly be imagined, whilst in the centre of the field, some few members of Committee and other ' notabilities stood in small pools of water, presenting the appearance of having been "ducked." The word was soon passed that here, also, the sports would be postponed, and all doubts were speedily set at rest by the appearance of a comical little bellman who, after a few preliminary flourishes of his bell, announced, " Bpor's pos'pon'd 'mower." Slowly the pleasure-seekers wended their way back to Feilding, and our representative giaclly availed himself of the first train to return to Foxton, <