CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 49, 30 December 1871, Page 4

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS.

The solemnities introductory to the English carnival season were celebrated at the various Churches in the city, commencing with the midnight mass at St. Mary's Cathedral on Sunday evening, followed by the singing of the Christmas anthems at the Episcopalian Churches. The attendance at the different places of worship was more than usually numerous, the Roman Catholic Cathedral on Christmas Eve being literally thronged to suffocation.

A topic on all other occasions considered flat, stale, and unprofitable had been, during the few days previous to Tuesday, forced into a position of prominence demanding first consideration, for on the state of the weather hinged the success of schemes which had been perfected to the setting of the gauge at fair. Had we lived in the times of the ancients, or did we still retain their forms, or worship their deities, great would have been the display of earnest anxiety in the effort to propitiate the fickle persons to whose care the atmospheric changes were committed, for Odd Fellows and Foresters and those of their households were full of expectation aud hope that the efforts to carry to a conclusion the enjoyments upon which they had set their hearts should not be frustrated. The weather on Sunday though gusty, and consequently dusty, was fine, and up to a late hour in the evening there was no forecast of the violent change which ushered in the morn of Christmas day. Violent storms with occasional and heavy showers throughout the day destroyed whatever intentions might have been formed by holiday-makera in the way of an indulgence in out-door excursions, but " it's anill wind that blows nobody good," and at no season - nor any more opportune occasion, could this aftertaste of winter have been more acceptable, for it had the effect of transforming the feeling of languor usually experienced about the time of our Antipodean Christmas into a keen relish of the indoor sports and enjoyments usually provided by the head of households for the amusement and entertainment of all those who are privileged to partake of the annual family gathering. As a consequence the Christmas afternoon's disport over the nuts and oranges, with all the interesting little pledges of tho Philopena, was not confined to the juveniles. The Faces in the Fire, the Christmas tree, the parlour magic, and the thousand and one other means of passing the time pleasantly, were all brought into requisition for the purpose of buoying up the spirits against the influence of a description of weather charged with something of a nature hypochondriac in its effects. There was nothing for regret in all this. The only fear wasfor the morrow (Tuesday), and when that time did arrive it seemed as if the rain of the previous day had been sent specially to revive ,the ftice of 'Spring,- The early morning was

(so lovely as to give promise of a day favorable to the observance of the programme set out for the enjoyment of the citizens. The people were early astir, and although the harbor' 'did not present so gay an appearance as it usually does, on account of the absence of shippings still, those ships at the wharf were dressed as handsomely as bunting could make them. Not a shop in the city had opened, and the first of the amusements for which preparations were afoot was THE TRIP TO LOWRY BAY. About ten o'clock the first cargo of passengers was despatched from the wharf. Though the steamer was not crowded there was what was considered a good sprinkling for the first batch. The second time the steamer left, about twelve o'clock, there was hardly standing room on board, the Wanganui being crowded in every part by genuine picnicians, many of whom, if the evidence of tin billies and etceteras of a like nature meant anything, evidently intended to do some interior exploration in the little space of time at their disposal. Every precaution was taken by the members of the order to guard against inconvenience at the landing place as well as at every stage of the trip. Arrived at the scene the visitors spread themselves out into independent parties, some making inland excursions while others contented themselves with improvising an al fresco dining party near to the place of debarkation. An excellent band, under the leadership of Mr Currie, provided the music for the dancers, who formed no inconsiderable portion of the party. After the hours of the ordinary day had been exhausted the whole party were conveyed to the Heads, and the Wanganui returned to the wharf about eight o'clock. THE FORESTERS' FETE. The Foresters had secured the Cricket Ground for the holding of their annual display, and early in the day preparations were afoot for the events to be contested. On the ground were the usuel accessories in more than the usual number, there being an " Aunt Sally," which was extensively patronised by both sexes of all ages; a swing for the juveniles and youths ; a lottery tent, conducted by Mr Asher, and some other fete day amusements. The sensational game "Kiss in the ring" was carried on with never flagging zest at the one side of the ground, and at the other the more elastic of the group were gracefully pirouetting to the silvery aud enchanting strains of the Artillery Band. Tho various races and feats were not very well contested, and did not excite much interest, although the two-mile walking match worked up the excitement to boiling pitch, the local amateur, M'lntosh.givingEd wards, the professional a tying-up, although the referees accounted, for this by disqualifying him for breaking into a run. Edwards's walking was generally considered very fair, and he was awarded the przie, although he had to give the other 230 yards start. A protest in the matter has yet to be decided, MTntosh being of opinion that he is entitled to the prize. Towards afternoon there could not have been less than from 1000 to 2000 people present, all of whom seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly. The following is the prize list:— Boys' Race (400 yards)—W. Moran, 1; R. Mem bray, 2. 150 yards Race—Mailman, 1 ; Lewis, 2. Running High Leap—Dixon, 1,4 ft 9in ; Signal, 2,4 ft Sin. Throwing Hammer, 201b—Phillips, 1,62 ft: Read, 2,58 ft. Irish Jig—Smith, 1 ; Connor, 2. Boys'Race (300 yards)—Howe, 1; Donaldson, 2. Singlestick—M'Lellan, 1; M'Lean, 2. Fireman's Race, in uniform—Grimstone, 1; Jenkins, 2. Vaulting with Pole—Halford, 1,7 ft 6in ; Dixon, 2, 7ffc 4in. Two-mile Walking Match—Edwards, 1; M'lntosh, 2. [A protest has been entered against the decision of the referees by M'lntosh. The referees were Mr Borlase, Mr M'Lean, and Mr Gore.] Boys' Race, for prize presented by Mr Freeman—Smith, 1. Boys' Race, for prize presented by Mr Asher—Moran, 1. Sack Race—Shearer, 1; Williamson, 2. Champion Forester's Mile Race—Pike (Court Robin Hood), 1 ; Howe, 2 ; Minifie, 3. Pig Race —Winner of the Pig—Phillips, I.

THE NELSON EXCURSION. The B.s. Taranaki left Wellington with about 150 excursionists for Nelson at midnight on Saturday. Steamed up, and anchored at the head of Queen Charlotte's Sound on Sunday morning ; went through the French Pass, and arrived at Nelson at 6 p.m. same lay. The Star Club sent over five boats to compete in the Nelson Regatta, which took place on Tuesday morning, but they labored under the great disadvantage of not having a second boat-steerer for the whaleboat race, Mr John O'Meara, who was to have steered Titoko in the professional race, being prevented, at the last moment, from accompanying the " Stars.!' A beautifully calm sea, with hardly a breath of wind, ushered in Tuesday morning; but before the first race was pulled there was a good breeze blowing from the N.W. The first event on the programme was the PAIR-OARED RACE, for which Wellington had two boats entered the Napi Napi and Firefly ; and Nelson on*, the Wizard. The distance was three mi-tes, and tho prizes £5 and £2. The Wizard, carrying a coxswain, took the lead at the start, the Firefly and Napi Napi pulling alitfie wild in consequence of the tide. The latter boat, however, was first round the leeward, or No 3 buoy, and got a good lead of the second boat (the Firefly) in the long pull to windward, the Wizard, gradually losing ground, being fully 100 yards behind at-N0,,-7 '(the-windward)

buoy, and eventually gave up the race. The Napi Napi still maintained the lead all the second round, though closely pressed by the Firefly, and won a well-contested race by about a length. The winning boat was pulled by Messrs Lennox and J. Walden, and the Firefly by H. Woods and J. Jones. While this event was being pulled, a FIEST CLASS SAILING BOAT KACE had been started, the prizes for which were £7 and £3. The boats came in in the following order, the winning boat having all its own way from the start: Mr Wimsett's Eose 1 Mr Calder's Tommy Dodd 2 Mr Franzen's Eclipse 0 The third and most important and interesting race of the day was the five mile professional WHALEBOAT KACE, for which the Titokowaru was a great favorite, being pulled by Lennox, stroke, Coffee, bow, J. Jones, H. Woods, J. Walden, and J. Ames, coxswain. Mr Cross's Olio 1 Mr Logari*s Titokowaru 2 Mr Freeman's Phantom 0 Tito went off with a dash, and was first down to buoy No. 4, but here the Clio fouled her in the turn, unshipping some oars, notwithstanding which Tito was a boat's length to the fore up at the windward (No 7 buoy). Here the Clio again ran into her, forcing Tito some short distance out of her course, and broadside to the tide.- Ames during this foul not being able to use the steer oar. In consequence of this the Clio here got a good lead, and maintained it during the ensuing round and a half, the boats, which were started at 12 20 p.m., arriving at the winning post as follows :—Clio, 2m 25s : Tito, 3m 32s ; and Phantom, 3rn 50s past one. A protest was entered against the Clio in consequence of the foul, but it was disillowed by the stewards, notwithstanding Bule 23 of the Nelson Rowing Club, which states : " A boat's own water is the straight or proper course from the station assigned to it at starting ; but if in a race one of the two boats fairly takes the water of the other by a clear lead, and they afterwards come in contact while the leading boat remains in the water so taken, the boat whose water has been so taken shall be deemed to have committed a foul; but ift hey come into contact by the leading boat departing from its proper course, the leading boat shall be deemed to have committed a foul." The Clio was gr«eted with tremendous cheers at the post, the band playing " See the Conquering Hero Comes." The Wellington men evidently held the Nelsonites too cheap for this event, and it seemed to be the general impression that the race was lost solely on account of the four pullers in the first race having to step into the whaleboat immediately they had finished their race. The Clio, although well pulled, and having a " crack crew" wasnot a favorite among the betting men. Here followed three other races, namely— Open Sailing Boats, Ships' Boat Race, and Coasters' Race. AMATEUR WHALEBOAT KACE. Titokowaru was manned by J. R. Brown, stroke; Suisted, bow; C. Smith, O. Wake field, R. Johnson, and G. Edmonds, coxswain. The Phantom went off with the lead, which she was quickly deprived of by Titokowaru, the boats all rounding No. 3 buoy together. From this point Titokowaru gained considerably on the field, passing the wharf on the first round some 100 yards in advance of all the others. This lead she kept on increasing all the second round, and got to the winning post about 500 yards in front of the Queen. A protest was entered against the coxswain of the winning boat, as a professional man was disallowed by the stewards. SCTTLLEKS' EACE. This was a most amusing event. At the start the puiler in Nemo lost a scull, and the Little Duke backed water down to him, and both made a second start. At No 7 buoy the Nemo was full of water, the Little Duke waiting on her during a short interval for bailing. Here a third start, was made down for INo [6 buoy, where the Nemo underwent another emptying ; Little Duke's puller laying on his oars in attendance. From bere the fourth and last start was made, Little Duke arriving at the winning-post first. Mr Logan had two boats entered for this race (the Star and Turtle), but in consequence of the former disputes it was determined to withdraw the Wellington boats from all the other matches, notwithstanding they were prime favorites for the whole of them. Lennox and Woods were the men selected to represent Wellington in this race. The Boys' Pair-oared Race lapsed owing to the withdrawal of the Napi Napi, and the Volunteer Whaleboat Race was won by a boat manuei by firemen. Two other races, the Amateur Scullers and Amateur Pair-oared, fell through owing to the withdrawal of the Wellington boats. There was some talk of a match beiug made for £25, to be pulled at six o'clock next morning, but in consequence of the tide being considered unfavorable for the Titokowaru, a ohallenge, which had been posted by the Wellington men, was withdrawn in the hope that Nelson would send a boat over to Wellington on the 22nd ult. The Taranaki left Nelson about eight o'clock on Wednesday morning, with a light breeze from the south, came through the French Pass, and arrived in harbor at six p.m. The excursionists seemed all to thoroughly enjoy the trip, which was in a great part owing to the hospitality of the Nelsonites while on shore, and to the exertions of Captain Wheeler and officers in their special departments while on board the s.s. Taranaki. _______^ — _______ The Greytown Cavalry left G-reytowu on Wednesday morning for Featherston, when they met his Excellency the Governor and escorted him to Greytown.