HOW THEY DO IT IN CHRISTCHURCH.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2132, 22 January 1880, Page 3

HOW THEY DO IT IN CHRISTCHURCH.

• An anecdote lias been related to us which, although it comes .somewhat late in the day, is worth repeating (says the ’“New Zealand ! Tinies”).' "It appears that a party was given at the house of a well-known citizen on Old Year’s Eve, at which a large number of guests were present. Among them were one or two .who were strangers to the manners and 'customs of the people of Wellington ; and from their subsequent proceedings it would appear that the manners and customs of the people' of that part of the world from whence they came were equally strange to the people of Wellington. The conduct of these two gentlemen was inexplicable, if not unpleasant, not to say decidedly, improper,- The clock bad just struck the hour of midnight, thus announcing the advent of the new year, when the strangers arose from their seats, and deliberately kissed every girl and woman in the room. The attack was so sudden, that, with one or two exception**, little opposition was offered, and one room’ having' been disposed of the gentlemen in question made their way into the next, and there completed their oscillatory Exercises. Here tWo of the ladies refused point-blank to receive the,, New,.Year’s endearments,' both of ’tlicm being married, and fearful tliat their husbands should. ,be ..witnesses to this uncalled-foi* Breach of etiquette life are informed, however, that in the :case of the young unmarried ladies the attentions? were received’in the same .liberal spirit in which they werCf offered. Some of the gentlemen gathered together with closed fists, while others openly talked about ejecting the offenders from ‘thd : house. These * latter returned to the room where -the first act of the kissing' drama had'taken place, all smiles, and with extended hands to the gentlemen. When they found how offended ;these : latter, were they expressed their surprise explaining that they had only done what was the general custom in Christchurch, from which place it seems they came. .They had no wish to . .give .offence—they had thought' that as strangers it was their duty to, set a good example in ushering in the new year, and expressed their regret if they, had given any offence. The ladies all smilingly accepted the apologies, as did likewise -the gentleman, after some demur..