THE HOLIDAYS. WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR. Auckland, January 2.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 331, 5 January 1889, Page 3

THE HOLIDAYS. WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR. Auckland, January 2.

The new year was "welcomed" in the customary manner with the watchnight services At the churches and the usual " reception '* on the wharf. A large crowd of people assembled in town and on the wharves during Monday evening, and towards midnight they found their way to the wharf, where it was anticipated a fine display of fireworks would be seen. It was expected that the vessels of H. M.'s Squadron would be conspicuous in this pyrotechnic display, hut their contiibution was lumled ro theexhibi lion of a solitary blue light on the flagship at the bewitching hour of twelve. A large number of people went for a cruise round the harbour on the ferry s t earners Eagle and Osprey, each of -which was illuminated with the electric light, and had a baud on board. The only fireworks of any consequence were sent up from the s.s, Australia, and she attracted considerable attention in consequence. The Mow Year was also ushered in with the usual ringing of bells and cheering, and the weather gave promise of a beautiful New Year's Day.

WATCH -X IGHT SERVICES. The customary watch, night sei\ ices wove held in most of the city churches on New Year's Eye, commencing; at. 11 p.m. At St. Taul's Church the Rev. C. M. Nelson officiated atthcfeervice, which was woll attended. At St. Maiy'a, Parnell, the Rev. (.■,'. H. S. Wai pole conducted the proceedings. There was ;v moderate attendance at the service at St. Sepulchre's, at which the Yon. Archdeacon Dudley gave a short address. The sacrament of Holy Communion was administered to about 50 communicants. Appropriate hymns and canticles wei c stinjj and chanted by the choir. The Rev. W. Tebbs was the officiating minister at St. Matthew's Church, where Holy Communion was administered. The Rev. Dr. O'Callaghan delivered an address at the service at the Church of the Epiphany, Kaiangahape Road, and afterwards administered Holy Communion to a number of persons. At the Pitt-soveet) Wesleyan Church service the Rev. E. Best preached from the text, " What is your life ?'' (Jamea iv., 14). Hymns were rendered by the choir, and at midnight the sacred selection, "Come, Let Us Know," was sung. At St. John's Wesleyan Chinch, Ponsonby, the Rev. C. H. Garland and Mr Field gave appropiiale addie?ses. A aeivice was held at the (.nafton Road Wesleyan Church by the Rev. Mr Taylor. The Rev. Mr Spurgeon held the usual watchmghfr service in the Bautist Tabwrnacie. At seven a.m. on New Year's? Day there was a.^eivice at. the Ponsonby Baptist Church. A brief addie-s was deliveted by the Key. A. J. Smith in the Ale\andi-a-st. Primitive Methodist Chinch on New Yeai's E\e. The usual watch-night service uas held in the lectuie hall of the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms* at U p.m , and was largely attended. Mi Biakeniig (iressided and conducted the first* part of the meeting, after which the Key. .J. S Hill deliveri d an addie^s based u[ion Phillipians Ml., 1c,14. Tho -erviee concluded with the benediction. At the conclusion of the ordinary meeting 1 a v atch-night sei \ ice was held iv the Gospel TempeiaiH-e Mission cen(, coiner of Queen and Cui?toin-Btrrc4~. fuul \\d^ largelj* atteiidotl.