CHRISTMAS EVE.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 976, 27 December 1882, Page 2

CHRISTMAS EVE.

Saturday night was, so far as business was concerned—Christmas Eve, and things were quite, lively in the town. There was not much in the way of decoration, but the shops generally wore that busy aspect which told that the occasion was an unusual one. Mr Gowland, of the Patea Meat Bazaar, made his display on the previous day, and a most creditable one it was. There were beef and mutton and lamb, to say nothing of poultry, enough apparently to last for a week, and yet, on looking in during the evening the. proprietor smilingly pointed out that “ the cupboard was bare ” Where it all went to is a mystery deep in Mr Gowland’s breast, but. let us hope he did not have much call upon that charity which he so kindly offered to extend to those in nppd. At (he o'her end of the town Mr Barraclongh was busy ail day with sirloins and other succulent joints, which are so much in demand at this festive season, and he had no reason to complain of want of custom. The grocers had plenty to do, while the drapers proved irresistible to the fair sex. They had dressed their windows most attractively, and the result must have been highly satisfactory. Cardigan House was thronged, Mr Adams and his staff being unceasing in their efforts to please their customers, while the proprietor of the Hall.of Commerce was heard lamenting that his establishment was not made of indiarubher, so that he could stretch its accommodation a little more. At (he top of the street Mr North was strongly reminded of the “ good old times,” and each of his many customers went away, well satisfied with their purchases. The, juveniles came in for a treat in the shape of a Christmas tree prepared by Mr Currie in his late shop. There was something for everybody and it seemed as though everybody was there to get it. The “ tree ” was certainly very pretty, and reflected great credit on the taste of Mrs Currie, for we suspect she gave a fairy touch to its 'branches. “Pity Christmas only comes once a year ” sighed the “ tree planter ” as with a parting “good night” he closed the door on his last customer and put out the light. At the “Albion” there were a few Chinese lamps at the upstair windows. Down below there was much passing of compliments and glasses and friendships were renewed and wrongs forgiven. And one by one the shops closed and lights went out and silence, broken only by some snatch of song as a late reveller wended his homeward way, fell upon the scene. That, too, soon died away, and as fhe moon’s glorious rays streamed over the town there was nothing but “ Peace on earth ; goodwill toward man ”