THE HOLIDAYS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 329, 29 December 1888, Page 5

THE HOLIDAYS.

CHRISTMAS EVE IN .TOWN. It can scarcely be said that there was any indication of depression in Auckland on Christmas Eve. The leading thoroughfares presented a very busy appearance during the | afternoon and evening, and the tradespeople all appeared to be doing a brisk and satisfactory business. Queen-street was crowded with people until a late hour of the night, and Karangahape Road was almost equally well patronised. The cream of the trade was certainly with the fancy goods and toy shops, which were all crowded to the doors duiing the whole of the night. Indeed, the difficulty in every instance was to acccommodate and attend to the crowds who struggled good naturedly with each other in the effort to exchange their surplus cash for toys and articles suitable for presents. The butchers and provision dealers were also kept very busy during the day and night, and the run on poultry and fiuit was something remarkable. So far as the drapers and bootmakers were concerned, they had had a lemarkably good week, even for Christmas, and yet they had no lack of customers on Monday night. There is amongst business people generally a feeling of satisfaction with their Christmas trade, which was almost without exception better than was expected, and in many branches of trade was far brisker than the Christmas business of last year. This is very gratifying, and is an indication of a better and more prosperous state of things for the new year.

CHRISTMAS EVE AT SEA. On board the s.e. Rotomahana, bound from Sydney to Auckland, Christmas Eve was most happily obseived. Among the passengers were the members of the Jungtrau Kapelle, and these voluntered to give a concert", and the many passengers on board hailed the proposal" with delight. The Swiss lingers unpacked their music and instruments, and gave an entertainment of high merit and unique beauty — two lady passengeis also contributing vocal solos. Captain Carey had made everything comfortable for the enjoyment of the passengers, and the treat was thoroughly enjoyed. Sir William Fox, who was a passenger by the steamer, made a brief speech returning the thanks of the passengers to the company, who had so well entertained thorn. Mr R. J. Duncan started a movement to make some recognition of the unsolicited services of the " ICapelle, " and the result was that about £5 were handed to the youthful members of the company.

CHRISTMAS DAY EXCURSIONS. The Artillery Band excursion round Tiribiri in the steamer Clansman on Christmas afternoon was well patronised, and proved most successful. The weather was pleasant, and the trip occupied about three hours. During the afternoon, musical selections were performed by the band under the leadership of Bandmaster Hunter. The following was the programme :—": — " Moses in Egypt," " St Paul," "Elijah," "Maritana," " Iphegnia in Tauris,"and several others Xmas selections. The Za-Zah Band, under Sergeant Reid, performed for the fiist time in Auckland, and turned out to be really good. They were encored several times, and are sure to become very populai\ The paddle steamer Osprey also took between three and. four hundred excursionists on a trip amongst the islands of the Hauraki Gulf. The excursion was a very enjoyable one, and the steamer returned to the wharf soon after six o'clock. Impoy's band performed a programme of instrumental music during the afternoon.

THE NORTH HEAD CONVICTS. Thanks to the kindness of the choir of Holy Trinity Church, Devonport, and chielly ab the instance of the conductor (Mr Edward Barbley), the convicts now employed at the North Head (some 40 strong) had their Christmas enlivened by a bright and gladsome service of song, while the Rev. Joseph Bates improved the occasion by preaching a very appropriate discourse, so feelingly putthat one or two of the prisoners were moved to tears, while all of them seemed impressed. They had made great preparations for the visit by decorating very pretfcily the room in which the service was held, while as the visitors entered, the convicts received them standing and singing the well-known hymn, "Come All Yg Faithful. ' The hymns and chants had been furnished by the prisoners, and hay ing practised them they were enabled to join heartily in the service. By their special request the choir at the close of the service sang " Memorieb of Galilee," whi'e ]\]i»ss Bavtley also sang very sweetly the solo •• Follow On," from San key's collection, the whole company joining in the chorus. A touching attention that was much appreciated by the choir, was evidenced by the fact that the prisoners had placed a neat little bouquet, in each of the choir seats. 4,