CHRISTMAS AND BOXING DAY FESTIVITIES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5847, 25 December 1879, Page 2

CHRISTMAS AND BOXING DAY FESTIVITIES.

The street* of the city pr-sented a livelv appearance ia-t night, large numbers of people promenading in the principal thoroughfares. Many of tiie shops were open, and decorations in honor of the season were numerous. A drum and fife band paraded the streets during the evening, the music discoursed being much appreciated. On all sides were heard exchanged the usual Christmas greetings and wishes of happiness for the coining year, and it would lie out of ; ' ' did not wo join in these time-hone-- .artesies, and wish our many readers ■ ■ a.ight Merry Christmas and a Happy Sew Year." The Jane Douglas started for Foxton at midnight with 50 excursionists ; the Charles Kdward conveyed 40 to Nelson, and also the Wellington cricketing team ; the Ne pier took 20 to Blenheim ; the Manawatu took 20 to Wanganui ; the Tui also conveyed 20 to Wanganui ; and the Taiaroa, which sailed at midnight for Nelson, had a number of excursionists on board for Picton and Nelson. THE CHURCHES. To-day being Christmas Day, Divine Service will be celebrated in St. Paul’s Church, Thorndon ; St. Mark’s Church, Sussex-square ; and St. Peter’s Church, Willis-street. Mass will be celebrated at the Roman Catholic Cathedral, in Hill-street, and at St. Mary of the Angels, Boulcott-street, at the same hours as on Sunday. There will be an early morning service at the Wesleyan Churches ; at the Manners-street Chapel worship will commence at 7 a.m. At St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Willis-street, there will be Divine Service between the hours of 10 and 11 a.m. As usual at Christmas time the various churches were last evening seen at their best in the way of decorations. At St. Paul's there was not, however, much to be seen in the way of floral embellishments. There were some Scriptural mottos along the wall*, and the font was beautifully decorated with flowers and evergreens from the base to the top. At this place of worship there was last evening a full choral service, with Christmas carols and organ solos. There was a very large attendance and the service appeared to he highly appreciated. At St. Peter’s, not a great deal was done in the way of decorations, hut the pulpit and reading desk were very nicely decorated with flowers and evergreens. There were also some slight floral decorations in other parts of the church. St. Mark’s carried off the palm in this respect, for it was really beautifully decorated. The pretty embellishments in the chancel will first attract the eye of the beholder as he enters the church. Each of the five windows is infringed with ivy, and the intervening panels are long stalks of the nikau palm. On a blue ground in white letters, above the whole, run the words, “ The Word was made flesh.” On a red band running under the windows and immediately above the altar, are the words, in white letters, “Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia." Immediately over this, around the chancel, are centres of light fern, having red geraniums in the middle, and presenting altogether a very pretty appearance. In the centre window of the five is a large white star representing snow, and generally speaking, the embellishment of the chancel is extremely elaborate. The whole of tli e heads of the seats throughout the church are covered with flowers and leaves, and the reading desk is covered with holly and red berries. To the right of the chancel, on the side of the wall, is a very handsome and a very large Scriptural device, containing on the borders the following, “ Glory to God in the highest ; peace on earth.” The letters are worked in white on a red border In the black centre are two triangles interlaced, enclosing the letters I.H.S. The whole device is surrounded with holly. The whole of the pillars of the church are wreathed with holly and other floral decorations, and at the western end the font appears to have received special attention. There are also some very pretty decorations over the window at this end of the church, among them being some well-known Scriptural mottos. On the whole it may be said that this is by far the best decorated church in Wellington, and considering that the work of decorating it was only commenced on Wednesday evening it reflects great credit alike upon the taste and applicability of those engaged in the work. St. Mary’s (Catholic! is also very prettily decorated, the walla being covered with appropriate devices, and the chancel and altar are exceedingly well decorated. There are floral devices in various parts of the church, which is one of the beat decorated in the city. MARINE EXCURSIONS. A variety of excursions by sea have been arranged for, particulars of which will he found in our advertising columns; prominent amongst them will be that of the Eotomahaua to Nelson to-day, leaving Nelson on the return journey to-morrow evening. Several steamers left for various coastal ports last night, and were well patronised. A trip under the auspices of the Naval Brigade is projected for tomorrow to Dowry Bay. A picnic will be held after landing there, and a first-class programme of sports has been provided. This trip will no doubt be largely patronised. In the evening a plain and fancy dress hall will be given at the Arcade. RAILWAY AND TRAMWAY. Trains aud trams will frequently run at convenient intervals during the day, all parti-, culars of which can be found in our advertising columns. RACES. The Porirua 3 ockey Club’s races will be held to-morrow on the Porirua course, and should attract a number of visitors, as the drive is the prettiest one about Wellington. The Waihenga Races mil also be held on the same day on the Wharekaka Plain, and the train which leaves town at 5.15 p.m. to-day will convey passengers for the latter races through to Featherston. UPPER HUTT FBTE. A fete in aid of the Convent Schools will take place under the patronage of Sir William Fitzherbert, and a programme of sports will be gone through, a variety of games being arranged for. . WORKING MEN’S CLUB. This club will hold its first picnic at McNab’s gardens, Lower Hutt; special trains being run during the day. AMATEUR ATHLETIC SPORTS. The long-expected tournament between the Wanganui and Wellington Amateur Athletic Clubs will take place on the Basin Reserve to-morrow. His Excellency the Governor will be present during the day, and the Hon Lady Robinson will distribute the prizes to the successful competitors. A very large attendance is expected. ACADEMY OF MUSIC. Mr. Cary, the lessee, has announced a grand pantomime for Boxing Night, entitled “ Harlequin Prince Tumirako, the Fair Atahua, and the Demon of Colonial Finance.” As thero will be a large company, and as the pantomime is full of local allusions, there should be a crow Ld house on Boxing Night, and a successful season during the time of its presentation. THEATRE ROYAL. To-night there will be a sacred concert, and to-morrow evening there will be an entirely new programme, the whole closing with the minstrel pantomime entitled “Jack, the Giant Killer,” which will be certain to attract a large crowd.