CHRISTMAS IN THE ANTIPODES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 304, 26 December 1870, Page 2

CHRISTMAS IN THE ANTIPODES.

The streets qf t Nelson ; generally assume a more lively 'aspect; "on* Saturday evenings than at any 1 other r tiriie during' the week, but we have never seen them, Trafalgarstreet in particular,^ so crowded as on Christmas Eve, when the shops were kept open until' a' later hour than usual. Those places of business which contained children's toys appeared to be driving the most thriving: trade, next to these the drapers,' and last, but not least, the butchers shops showed symptoms of a very general desire" on the part of the Nelson public to adhere to the old custom of celebrating the annual festival by a "Christmas dinner," Later on in the evening, large numbers of persons were to be seen winding their way to St. Mary's Church where the usual midnight, mass was performed. By eleven o'clock the pretty building was crowded, the larga congregation present being much gratified by the exceedingly tasteful manner in which it was decorated. The various devices in evergreens and flowers were such as to reflect the greatest credit on those who must have devoted much time and trouble to the good work, while the banners, scrolls, and inscriptions with which the walls were covered added considerably to the general effect. The choir performed their part most creditably, and an appropriate sermon was preached by Father Chereyre, the service being brought to a conclusion at a little before 2 a.m. At Christ Church the great festival was celebrated yesterday morning by a choral service, in the preparation of which the choir must have expended a considerable amount of time. The decorations were really beautiful, and both forest and garden must have been laid under contribution to a very large extent to produce so pleasing an effect. Lilies, geraniums, verbenas, carnations, gladiolas, and a variety of other flowers were displayed in brilliant profusion, and stood forth in bright contrast to the more sombre foliage of the Nikau palm, and

the lighter shades of the more graceful creeping form, which ornamented the walls, lamps, and archways. The greatest pains, however, had evidently been bestowed upon the ornamentation of the massive front, which was encircled with wreaths of evergreens interspersed with lilies and other flowers of the same virgin whiteness. Never before do we remember to have seen our Cathedral Church so tastefully decorated, and the ladies of the congregation, to whom, we understand, is due ; the whole credit of the work, must have felt fully rewarded on witnessing the brilliant results of their labors yesterday morning. At All Saints' too, busy hands had been. at work, and those who took part in it are to be congratulated on the very pleasing effect produced. The east end was specially worthy of notice, an elegant latticework of scarlet braid having been attached to the wall, and surmounted by a scroll bearing the inscription " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men," which was set in a prettily arranged framework of leaves and flowers. At the west end was a graceful festoon of evergreens, while the frondal and floral decorations of the pillars and chandeliers were tasteful : and elegant in the extreme. At the Wesleyan Church two appropriate sermons were preached by the Rev. W. Thomas of Motueka, and the special musical services were exceedingly well rendered by the choir, who, on this occasion, sung for the first time the Te Deum, as used in the English Church service. Owing to Christmas falling on a Sunday, it was, of course, not spent in the same manner as if it had been on a week day; but it is quite clear that it is not the intention of colonists in this part of the world to allow the ancient festival to pass by unheeded or uncared for, but rather to celebrate it in a mauner approach ing as closely as possible to that in which it is observed in older communities.