CHRISTMAS AT HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 December 1922, Page 5

CHRISTMAS AT HOME.

HEAVY RAIN IN LONDON; QUIET IN THE CITY. INCIDENTS ELSEWHERE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 26, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 25. Christmas Day here was chiefly distinguished by incessant ram. In the morning it began to drizzle. The afternoon brought a downpour. West End and the city streets were generally deserted, except for an occasional policeman, and an equally occasional churchgoer. The tram and omnibus services had been reduced, and the taxi-drivers elected to take a holiday until the evening, when the prospects of carrying fares to an hotel for a gala dinner brought them into evidence. All the leading hotels were gaily decorated, and those which secured an extension of hours during which wine and spirits could be served were well patronised, but those which offered extra attractions, such as good bands and dancing floors, fared better. Otherwise the city seemed quiet and closed within .itself.

The Royal family, with the exception of Prince George, who is ill, were present at a Christmas dinner at .Sandringham Palace. The guests included King Haakon and Queen Maude of Norway, and the Dowager Queen Louise of Denmark. ROYAL FAMILY’S CHRISTMAS. ON OLD ENGLISH LINES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 2G, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 22. The Royal family at Sandringham is spending Christmas on simple, .happy, old English lines, though on a larger scale probably than ever before owing to the size of the gathering, including their Majesties, Queen Alexandra, the Prince of Wales, Prince Henry, the Princesses Royal, Maud and Victoria, the Dowager Empress of 'Russia, Queen Olga of Greece, the King, Queen and Crown Prince of Norway. EX-KAISER’S CELEBRATIONS. SPECIAL CHURCH SERVICE. Received December 2G, 5.5 p.m. New York, Dec. 25. The New York Times’ Doom correspondent states that the ex-Kaiser celebrated Christmas in something like his former Imperial style. The so-called ‘goblin hall” of the residence was decorated by a huge Christmas tree, cut by the Kaiser, and adorned by the bride. The Crown Prince and the exKaiser’s grandsons attended the feast. The children presented Wilhelm with a De Luxe binding copy of his own book. Carols were sung after dinner, in which the personnel were allowed to join. The Kaiser led the singing in a lusty voice. A special service was hold in a private chapel, Wilhelm dispensing with a chaplain and officiating himself. IN GERMAN OCCUPIED TERRITORIES. BRITISH ARMY ENTERTAIN CHILDREN. Received Dec. 26, 5.5 p.m. Berlin, Dec. 25. Thousands of German children were the guests of the British and American armies in the occupied regions of Germany. The children, who were led by school teachers, received packages containing clothing, food, toys and candy. The army bands furnished music.

FATALITIES IN AMERICA. SEVERAL KILLED. Received December 26, 8.15 p.m. New York, Dec. 25. Nine persons were shot in Christmas rows to-day in various places. A United States telegram from Seattle states that a ferry boat operator, temporarily crazed, invaded the home of a citizen and killed three of the latter’s children, then shot himself, dying later. At Louisville, Kentucky, a woman shot a man in her apartment, and kept all night vigil over him. According to a Uniontown, Pennsylvania, dispatch, four men were shot during Christmas celebrations in a local mining region.