THE HOLIDAYS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5537, 25 December 1878, Page 2

THE HOLIDAYS.

The festivities of the Christmas season have already began. The in-coming steamers have conveyed a large number of holiday seekers to Wellington, and those going outwards have also taken away numbers from the city, who have gone to spend well-earned holidays elsewhere amongst friends and relatives, whom perhaps they have not seen for a long time past. Those who remain in the city have commenced to do honor to the eighteen hundred and seventy-eighth anniversary of the Nativity, and let us hope that there are few to whom Christmas Day of 1878 will be fraught with other thau pleasant recollections and happy reminiscences. Although there was nothing like an attempt at general decoration throughout the city yesterday, several of the tradesmen decorated their establishments profusely with evergreens and flowers, and they each presented a very gay appearance, but for want of continuity the effect was not imposing. Contrary to the custom observed in other cities of the colony, there was no regular show of meat at the butchers’ shops, which presented only their ordinary Saturday night’s appearance. The decorations at the Government Printing Office were especially good, and speak well for the industry, taste, and inventive genius of the employes. Around the walls of two of the machine-rooms were hung deftly worked suggestive devices and mottoes breathing forth the compliments of the season ; and accompanying these-were artistic floral decorations and gaily dressed festoons, depending from the ceiling, and extending across the whole length of the rooms. In the bookbinding department the same skilful manipulation of flowers and ferns had taken place, and the appearance of the office was really creditable to all concerned in the work of decoration. There were to he seen in different spots coats-of-arma of his Excellency the Governor, the City Corporation, &c., and a variety of loyal and social expressions on scrolls; but the feature of the whole was a model of the Great Geyser of Iceland. The basin was composed of pumioestone, and in the centre was a spring emitting steam continuously, and , intermittently a stream of boiling water. All around the orifice was colored to represent the lava thrown out, and beyond, to complete the scene was a sketch of Mount Hecla. The contrivance was ingenious, and the designer, Mr. Frankland we believe, must be complimented on the great success attending his experiment. There was also an exhibition of a more substantial character in the shape of fruit, cakes, &0., and no doubt even the “devil” was allowed to join in the festivities of the Christian season. When the gas was alight, and the music a-going, for music was provided, the scene was brilliant, the glittering sheen of the polished machinery forming an admirable contrast to the gay floral embellishments, and the whole presenting a tout ensemllc seldom witnessed in a printing office. There were a large number of visitors, and it is needless to say all were loud in their praises. In spite of the threatening aspect of the weather, the streets were crowded daring the evening up till a late hour, and the shopkeepers appeared to drive a very good trade. To-day the services at the Anglican and Homan Catholic Churches will be fitting for the great occasion they are intended to celebrate. At St. Mary of the Angels, in Boulcottstreet, the decorations were finished last night, and they have been carried out with a great deal of taste. For some time past in this diocese midnight Mass has been discontinued, and strangers to Wellington were of course nota little disappointed when they discovered that there was no celebration of the kind. At St. Mary of the Angels to-day there will be no fewer thau five services. The first takes places at 7.30 a.m., the second at 8.30, the third at 9, the fourth at 11, and Vespers and Benediction in the evening, at 7 o’clock. At the first three services the Rev. Father Kerrigan will officiate, and the principal Mass of the day will be said by the venerable and esteemed Father O’Reilly. There will be an efficient choir in attendance at 11 o’clock Mass and at Vespers, and the “ Adeste Fidele” will be rendered with grand effect, judging from the list of ladies and gentlemen by whom the choir will be composed.' Amongst others we may mention Mrs. Allen, Miss Augustus, and Miss Fitzsimmons, and Messrs. Bennington, R. Davis, T. Davis, Frank, Kearsley, and Curry. The Marist Brothers and the lads .trained by them, will also assist at Vespers, and will sing the psalms alternately with the members of the regular choir. At St. Joseph’s Cathedral, in Hill-street, the decorations have been carried out with great taste, and the effect produced is exoeedingly pretty. Wreaths of flowers and evergreens entwine the massive pillars of the interior, and the front and walls of the altar have also been most artistically draped by rows of evergreens and flowers. At night, when the Cathedral is lighted up with its accustomed brilliancy, the sight which it will present will be well worth seeing. There will be three services in the forenoon, but the principal one of the day will commence at 11 o’clock, when Pontifical High Mass will be said by the Right Rev. Dr. Redwood, assisted by several of his clergy. The choir will be a strong one for tho occasion, and it may be safely predicted that the beautiful music incidental to the service will he executed in a thoroughly efficient manner. No doubt the Cathedral will be crowded both at the 11 o’clock service and at Vespers, which will begin at the usual time. His Lordship will be present at each, and will doubtless deliver sermons suitable to the occasion in his usual eloquent and forcible style. In the various Anglican Churches throughout the city the work of decorating was carried on yesterday with great vigor, and the general result will no doubt be highly appreciated today by their respective congregations. To-night there will be a concert of sacred music at the Theatre Royal, and a referenced the advertisement will show that the entertainment will be of such a character as to deserve a very large measure of support. For Boxing Day several outdoor attractions have been announced. In the evening the great feature will be the production of “ Henry V.” at the Imperial Opera House, and neitherj pains nor expense have been spared to make the performance a truly grand one. The management of the Theatre Royal will also on Boxing Night offer the usual seasonable attraction to the public, in the shape of a Christmas pantomime. The pantomime has been in preparation for a considerable time past, and if it be as good as report says it is, it ought to hold possession of the stage for several nights to come.