CHRISTMAS, 1880.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2427, 27 December 1880, Page 2

CHRISTMAS, 1880.

On Christmas Eve the town towards dusk was aglow with excitement, and “ all the world and his wife," turned out and perambulated through the streets in order to see what was to bo seen. Drapers and grocers plied their business till a late hour, evidently doing a brisk trade. Mr Waugh and Mr Arnos’ fruiterers’ shops were appropriately decorated, and sumo of the hotels were illuminated.

ST. MARY’S CHURCH. At half-past ten p.tn. a vigil service was held in St. Mary’s Anglican Church. In contradistinction to the celebration of Christmas in former years the decorations of the interior, wore simple in the extreme. Attached to the walls of the chancel were some elegant floral crosses and other emblems, whilst resting on the super-altar were two floral doable triangles. The cross had a small evergreen wreath entwined around it. To the extreme right and left of the altar were two large floral Maltese crosses, composed of scarlet geraniums and white Allies with evergreen borders, Over the entrance was a floral fourpointed star. The lectern was also prettily decorated with flowers and greenery. The font was encircled at ithe base with cveigreens, and the upper part, was decorated with white Allies. On the wall above was a cross composed entirely of white Allies. At the base of the rafters on either side of the Church floral crosses and triangles were placed alternately, the former of white Allies, and the latter of dahlias. The Yen. Archdeacon Harper officiated at the service,which was full choral, to the end of the third collect. At its conclusion the following carols were sung by the choir : —“ The Lord at first had Adam made ” ; ‘‘ 'Tis the Day, the Blessed Day ” ; “ The first Hoel the Angel did say,” ; “ See, amid the winter snow,” ; and “We three Kings of Orient are.” Mr Gooch, the harmoniumist of the Church, played a short symphony between each carol. Archdeacon Harper then gave a short address, taking as his text, the 2nd chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel, 11th and 12th verses. The service terminated witli the choir singing the Gist hymn “ Christians Awake, Salute the Happy Morn.”

CHURCH OP THE SACRED HEART. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day special services were held in the Roman Catholic Church the altar of which was artistically decorated with flowers. On the former occasion Mass was celebrated by the Rev Father Chataignier and on Christinas Day the rev. Father also officiated at High Mass, after which he preached a very elotpient sermon. The choir rendered in a very effective manner the singingincident to the Mass. CHRISTMAS AVAITS.

At the stroke of midnight the stillness was broken by the Artillery Band, who paraded the principal streets performing Christmas carols, in a way that must have brought faded memories to many a listener. Simultaneously a small band of Christmas waits wended their way through the suburbs, making the air melodious with the sweet and plaintive sounds of well-tuned instruments and voices. CHRISTMAS DAY.

Christmas Day in Timaru was spent in an unobtrusive manner. The streets were dusty and disagreeable and those who could conveniently get away from the corporation eye powder patronised the trains and livery stables, while those who could not secured their doors and windows and digested their Christmas dinners in the strictest seclusion. Full choral services were held at St. Mary’s and the usual masses were performed before large congregations in the Roman Catholic Church. BOXING DAY,

In Timaru, was kept a close holiday. The early trains were thronged with holiday-makers, especially the one going south. Several extra carriages were attached to the ordinary train to* accommodate those desirous of travelling by it. By the South train, the members of the AVcsleyau connexion, travelled cn route to A\ r aimate, to take part in their annual pio-nic, which took place on this occasion, in what is known as the Point Bush.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES DEMONSTRATION.

The great event ot‘ the day in town was the amalgamated Friendly {Societies’ fdr, which took place in the old show ground at the back of Melville Hotel. The demonstration was taken part in by the brethren of the Loyal Timarn Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., and Court Southern Cross, No. 3123, A.0.F., and the members of the Timarn Volunteer Fire Brigade. The brethren assembled at their respective halls at 10 a.m., after which the Foresters, headed by their splendid banner, proceeded to the Oddfellows’ Hall, from whence the procession started in the following order, marshalled by Fro. J. Simpson, on behalf of the Oddfellows, and Fro. H, George on behalf of the Foresters ; Grand Master, I Chief Ranger, LO.F.M.U. j A.O.F Timarn Artillery band. Foresters’ Fanner. T.wo Foresters, in full Regalia, representing Robin Hood and Little John, on cream-colored horses. Principal officers of the two Orders, side by side. Brethren of the Orders, two deep, Oddfellows on right hand side and Foresters on left. Members of the Timarn Volunteer Fire Brigade, with Engine and Hosc-recl.

On the word to start being given, the procession wended its way in the following order; —Starting from the hall, down Barnard street, along Arthur and Bank streets into North street ; thence along Main road northward, turning down Sefton street, into the Old Show Grounds, through the principal entrance. THU SPOUTS t On arriving on the ground we observed general license and refreshment booths erected, the owners of which catered in the most tempting manner to appease the appetite of the inner man, and" apparently drove a thriving trade the whole of the day. The general license booth was presided over by Mr T. llichmoud, of the Melville Hotel ; refreshment booth, Mr J. Douglas ; toy stall, Mrs Trilford; games, Mr T. J. Kennedy, who also disposed of the cards of the several events. Aunt Sally also paid a visit to the ground, and’apparently enjoyed herself.' The afternoon was line plenty of sunshine contributing to tlie pleasures of the sports—the grounds were in good condition, and there was a large assemblage of both sexes, including perambulators. The Timaru Artillery band played selections at intervals, and it is needless to say that their excellent music was a grand auxiliary to the diversions. Nothing occurred to mar the enjoyments, and wc must congratulate the management on the admirable manner in which all the arrangements were carried ot:t. The following were the judges appointed : —For the Fire Brigade competition Messrs Wildie, Turnbull, Walker, and George. Judges for llaces —Messrs Simpson and llothwell.

Starter—Mr Bennett. Handicappers —Messr Bell and McFarlane. The following is the result of the various events :—■ Running Handicap, 100yds. A. Smith (scr.) ... ... 1 P. Bastian (3yds.) 2 This race was a gift to Smith, who won as he liked. Three others ran. Walking Handicap, one mile. T. Clarke ... ... ... 1 J. Cameron 2 This was a capital race. The men maintained their original positions until the first quarter of a mile had been accomplished, but at the second turn Cameron went up to McKnight and quickly passed him. Clarke who had been walking gamely from the start now overtook Cameron, and the pair walked on even terms up to nearly the finish. At the third round McKnight began to exhibit symptoms of distress, and the pace very shortly began to tell on Petrie. Both the latter were out of it at the last turn for home, while Clarke and Cameron still walked abreast. Clarke was the first to burst the tape, but the finish was so close that several mistook it for a dead heat. Standing High Jump. Mulcehy(4ft 2Hn) 1 Hughes 2 There were five competitors in this event which was hotly contested between Mulchie and Hughes. Bovs Pace, for boys under 14,150yd5. Shappere 1 Double 2 Four ran. A capital start was effected. Shappere soon got the lead and won with ease. Friendly Societies’ Handicap. First Heat—2ooyds. A. Smith (scratch) 1 P. AVcbstcr (10yds) ... 2 J. Shirley (10yds) 3 P. Bastian also ran. A fair start was effected, but Smith, at scratch, was far too warm for the rest, ami won easily. Bastian fell at the turn and in consequence went out. Time—24secs. A r AULTING WITH POLE, P. Bastian (Bft siu) ... 1 S. Hughes 2 Sullivan and Bryan also competed. Bastian is to be congratulated on his neat clean style of taking the bar. Tug oe War between ten Oddfellows and ten Foresters. Foresters 1 Oddfellows... 2 This event caused the greatest excitement, and was contested in three tries. The first was won by the Foresters, who had the lower end of the rope. At the second try the sides were changed, when the Odddfellows retrieved their laurels. The third and final try was won by the Foresters as above. Friendly Societies’ Handicap. Second Heat—3ooyds. A Smith 1 P. Bastian 2 From the first it was seen that the event would fall to the lot of Smith,whe> had it nearly his own way, with Bastian a good second. Fire Brigade Competition—Firemen in uniform,to run engine 100 yards, 4 men to drop off, and 4 to get to work with four lengths of hose,and four lengths of suction, against time. For this event two teams of four each competed belonging to the Thnaru Fire Brigade. The men had all their work to do, as the engine without being loaded with water weighs 15 cwt. The first squad finished in 2min. 2secs. The competitors were’ Messrs J. Collins, T. Gobble, T„ Dowse, and J. Hilton. For the second competition Messrs AY. Darlow, E.. AA'aters, G. Brien, and AA r . Scarf. This, team finished at 2min. 13secs. This, evening, a ball will take place 1 in the large store at Mr H. Green’s,. Cain’s Terrace and the Christmas festivities will thus bo brought to a. close by those who delight in tripping: the light fantastic.