CHRISTMAS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1530, 28 December 1886, Page 2

CHRISTMAS.

TEMUKA. “ Merry Christmas ” of 1886 has passed over quietly. On Friday afternoon there was a large number of people in town, and business appeared to be brisk. There were very few of the shops decorated. Messrs Bolton and Ackroyd enveloped their shops in forests of green boughs, the lamp-stand in front of Mrs Heap’s Royal Hotel was decorated with laurel, holly and other evergreens, and around the door of Mr A. R. Allan’s shop ran a wreath of evergreens. In Messrs Copestake and Barr s shops there were Ohrieltrees, heavily laden with a large variety of toys, and a window in Mr J. Brown a shop and another window in Mr J. W. Yelvin shop were decorated. This constituted the decorations. Messrs Siegert and Fauvel evidently preferred tilling up their windows with boxes of lea, hags of sugar, and cases which bora the three stars trade mark. Mr J. W. Miles had his windows elegantly dressed out, and made a Creditable show of fancy goods. Messrs Mogridge and Wiltshire also made a great display of fancy goods, and seasonable articles of dress goods. All the shops appeared to be very busy, as they were crowded up,to near midnight, and it wae evident they did a goo I trade. It was, we were told, the best Christmas the storekeepers had bad for some years past, which, we hope, may be regarded as a revival of trade. ; . Early in the evening the Temuka Fife and Drum; Band commenced to play. They wereveccompanied by a large crowd of people, but there was a complete absence of ' anything bordering on larrikinjsm. The band played very well considering Jjnye only been some eix months practising, and Mf Pnudlock deserves credit:for the way in which'he has trained them.' The ‘ Temuka Volunteer Brassßrand commenced to play about 5 a.m., and continued playing Christmas carols excellently until about 10 a.m. on Christmas j>ay.

8T» JOSEPH’S CHURCH, During the previous week the beauty ef this chastely beautiful Church was enhanced by some some addition'll decorations to the two side altars. The niches in which stand the statues of the Blessed Virgin and St, Joseph have been painted in deep blue colors, and their surroundings are decorated with blue stars, and golden crosses painted on a white ground. The effect is beautiful. No attempt was made at decorating the Church with evergreens, but the beautiful golden flowers, and costly altar furniture, which.are never used except on festival days, gave the altars* very handsome appearance. Masses were c°lehrated in the Church at 8 a.in. and 10.30 a.m., the Kev. L. Fauvel officiating at both. At 10 30 a high mass was chanted, and the Ri-v. Father Fain el preached a very able and inlorosliflg sermon, taking for liis text Luke ii M 10-11. Thera was a very largo cmgregation, and the choir, under the leadership of Sister Anseiem with Miss Gaffaney at Hie harmonium, pang in*a capital m inner, the “ Adeste F'delis” be'ng uplendidly sung. <

ST. SAVIOUR'S AND ST.JOHN’S. Services were held in St. John the Evangelist's Church, Winchester, and St. Saviour’s Church, Teoinka, the former at 9 a,no. and the latter at 1L a.ra. The Rev, T. A. Hamilton officiated at both services, and took for his text Galatians iv., 4, “When the fulness of time was come, God sent forth His Son.” He said that the event which took placs in Judea nearly 1900 years ago was the most momentous event that had happened in the history of the world, and the influence it had exercised since its occurrence was greater than that of all other events put together. The life and death of Jesus . Christ eclipsed by far all other lives and deaths the world had ever seen. The message of the angels, “ Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall ha to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord, ” transcended every other message which humanity had ever received, The preacher then spoke of the Divinity of our Lord, and the mystery of the Incarnation expressed in the words, “The Word was made flesh,” and preached a very eloquent seimon on it.’ The decorations were very simple at Winchester, but very chaste. In the absence of Mr In wood the or»an was ably and effectively handled by Miss Cox, and the singing was excellent. At Temuka the decorations were of a more ornate kind, large quantities bf lilies being’ very noticeable', and native grasses and fevergreens in profusion, together with lovely hothouse plants, making a beautiful contrast. The Chancel arch was most effectively decorated, being designed and executed by Mr 0. J. Rayner , the centre piece bearing the words, “God with us.” There were a smaller number of workers this year than usual, but the thanks of the congregation are none the less due to those who were thus able to give of their time »od ability. Mr Proudlock ably presided at the organ, and the Christmas hymns were splendidly rendered by the choir and most heartily taken up by the congregation.

GERALDINE. Christinas of 1886 has come and gone in Geraldine without making any great change in the even tenor of the lives of the inhabitants of this town. The display made this year by the drapers was not of a very imposing character. First upon the list was Mr R. EL Pearpoint’s establishment, and here the drapery window; was set out in a manner which proved a great attraction to the fair sex. His other window was beautifully arranged with glass and china ware of the best description. Messrs N. Dunlop and Co. and Mr R. Morrison had each a large and select stock of Christmas goods, both useful and ornamental.. At the former’s the table :in the centre of the shop was loaded with articles to be given as presents to purchasers, while Mr J. S. Waite, of Victoria House, had opened up a splendid selection of Japanese and fancy goo.ls, besides a large and varied stock of dre-s materials, silks, laces, etc. Mrs Gibson’s fancy repository was tastefully set out with all the latest novelties in Christmas cards, books suitable for presents, toys, etc,, and a large display of useful articles. Messrs W. Clarke and Co. had a really first-class show of groceries, comprising all the household requisites for a good Christmas spread. They had also on view a large and wellselected stock of pictures, especially opened up for Christmas. The shops of the two local bakers, Messrs J. Williams and Son and Mr J. Riordan, were furnished with a plentiful supply of seasonable edibles that were tempting tp behold. Mr Lawson’s shop was beautifully decorated with ferns, evergreens, and cabbage trees, with garlands and wreaths of Mowers tastefully arranged among the meat and foliage. The whole formed a very attractive Christmas show, which drew a great many out to look at it, an ! Mr Lawson can congratulate himself upon having made about the gayest display in the township. A very fair amount of business was done by the vtirious tradesmen on Christmas Eve and the day or two preceding. The only amusement provided for the townspeople was the Christmas Tree and sale of fancy work at the Good Templar Hall. A large number of fancy and useful ai tides were arranged on stalls round the room. The Christmas tree itself was prettily decorated and proved a great attraction. Nearly all the articles were made by Mrs Hoskins herself,; and by lad'es in the district who kindiy came forward to assist her in getting the bazaar up. Madame Froidor, the Egyptian fortune-teller, who kindly consented to attend at the hall for an hour or two each day was a great attraction.

The day was ushered in by the Geraldine Braes Band, under the leadership of Bandmaster T. Sbsrratt, parading the streets shortly after twelve and playing ih a finished manner several choice selections, including that splendid carol “Christians Awake.’ The township was very quiet during the remainder of the day, moat of the people enjoying the holiday in a peaceful manner. A good many went away by th« excursion traina to Christchurch and Dunedin, while others strolled as far as this Geraldine Bush. There were also a few visitors to the Bush from Timaru and elsewhere.

ST. MABY’S, CHURCH. A special Christinas service was conducted in this Church on Christinas morning at 11 o’clock. The Church was beautifully decorated. Behind the altar were placed young cabbage and lancewood trees. Vases of flowers also stood on the altar. The chandeliers war* prettily festooned with ferns and flowers, while circlets »f holly, bright with berries, were suspended beneath. The windows were also, beautifully decorated with flowers and ferns. Crosses and ctowhs of various patterns and colors, beautifully got up, were placed in different place i round the walls, - The organ was:also tutfully decorated with ferns, flowers and moss. The reading desk was entwined with trailing plants picked out. with flowers, while from the lectern was suspended white drapery on which were the words in go'd lettering “ Hail, Prince of Peace. "(Altogether the church presented an extremely pleasing appearance and reflected great credit upon the sk'll and taste of these ladies and gent'ernen who took an active part in the decoration. The service was conducted by Dr Fish, who preached an appropriate sermon from the text, “ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying*

Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace good will toward men,” Luke ii., 13—14. The anthem sung was “ Behold 1 bring you good tidings,” Luke ii, 10—11. The singing of the choir, who had practiced assiduously, was really' enjoyable and was much appreciated by the large congregation present.

SOMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. Maas was celebrated at this church at half past eight and High Maas at ten o'clock, the Rev Father Bowers, patter of the church, officiating.. The altars and interior fittings were prettily decorated. Father Bowers preached an excellent and appropriate sermon from the text “ And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us ” John i., 14. At the second service the choir, which had been specially trained for the occasion sang the whole of the beautiful, " Webb's Mass in G,” and during the taking up of the offertory the splendid anthem “ AdeStes Fideles."