CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1832, 22 December 1888, Page 2

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES.

Oo Tuesday next throughout the whole civilized world, amidst tropical heat, in regions of eternal snow and ice, in more temperate and oheerful Britain—the very pareDt as it were of Christraaß festivities uod its inaby associations—and here at its antipodea the grand festival of the birth of Christ will be celebrated. To colonials bora and bred much of the significance of ; Christmas cmtorus is necessarily ; lost, but enough still remains to make the day looked forward to as the most important holiday of the year. There can bf course be little of that brisk enthusiasm with which Christaiastide is bailed under, more, temperate skies. With the thermometer at any number of degrees in the shade it ii unreasonable to expect anyone to bt mere than mildly cheerful. To wish them to spend a Merry Christmas in its; old-oountry meaning would be vain indeed. In spits, however, of lassitude born of summeJ weather, in spite of spirits depressed with the recollection of an exceptionally hard year,' enough should remain to stir every heart, Doubtless petty differences will be forgotten, many Bevered'friendships will be knitted up, and rich and poor alike will greet with oheerful smile 'and mutoal wishes for a " Mbrrt CflßisiMAS. "

. CALEDONIAN SPOKTS. It is however with in its more practical sense that we have to deal, . and it may therefore be as well to give some outline'here of the programme of oext week. The day of all from a pleasureseeker's point of view'is, of oonrse, Boxing Day. This day in previous yearsat Temuka has been saored totheOddfellows, who with laudable energy Have catered for the public amusement by annually holding athletic ' sports, all of which i have' bsen more or less successful. The inauguration, however, of the Caledonian Society has had the effect of overshadowing th'siOddfellows in matters of sport, and the latter for oertain pecuniary considerations have surrendered the pre-emptive right to the. use of the parkuponßexing Day to the Caledonians. Under able management fa programme has been drawn up that would not-J disgrace a society of older standing; Eacing, wreßtliug, national dancing and music, are all represented, while a! bicyole race for a handsome trophy, and a bayonet contest' for a valuable money prize," should . prove considerable attractions. Under an energetic sub-commUtee,. workmen have been for some time employed in jprepariDg the / running;track,;which-iB-now-ia very fair v order. •It measures. some;-30 chains or r thereabouts, with a straight run in of some 100 yards. The track has been chipped, top dressed, harrowed and rolled, and although not one upon which to make records is still good enough to allow a " ped "to make OJpital time.' The entries received by the T secretary, Mr G. H. Mogridge, are numerous, and among them are the names of noma ho mean performers. The entire ring has beeu fenced in, so that visitors wM have a capital view of the sports with none of the crowdmg * and buetliug of previous years. From tho grand stand, which has been removed to

' the western side of the ground; a capital ' ''■'' yiew of the wrestling and dancing can be obtained, and to many other attractions may be added the playing of the Addington band, which has been engaged nt considerable expense for tbe day. With special trains at reduced fares from Ohristobnrch and Timaru, a large influx of Visitors'maybe expected. Altogether the sports promise to be a BUocess r . IHB OATHOHC « AZAAB., • On the same day Rt tbe "Volunteer Drillabed the Catholic for wbiob prei : parations have been in progress "for some lA'time,'will be held. The laige drill shed la to be decorated uiost tastefully, and; it '■-■' is understood that there will'be'for sal*; a , more than usually large collection of ua>-'. ' : fuland ornamental articles. Some of the lattsr are veritable works of art, and wjsll worth inspection. There will also bs the customary side-show attractions, and the ; ,St. Patiicks Band, from Timara, will be in attendance. Their playing is most favorably commeited uporj, and should of 'itself prove a treat. The bazaar will be ri opened immediately after the arrival of tbe excursion train from Cbnstohurch :nt 11.30 a.m. The opening ceremony will f <J be performed by Mr K. F. Gray,'chairman of the Tetuuka Town Board. Token all in all there will be no lack of places where people can enjoy themselves. XHH JUBIIEE OBELISK. ' : It'will be remembered, that upon the ' celebration of Her Majesty s Jubilee the foundation stone ot a commemorative obelisk was laid with suitable ceremony in the parkv . The ebelifk itself has been now erected for some time, but the Jubilee Committee have not as yet formally resigned their laborß and handed over the 1 moHumect to the residents of Temuka and their'posterity. This they.'intend to do tarl| Previous; to the commencement uf the sports the obelisk -, will be unveiled by Mr A. E. Ot. Rhodss, , M.H.R. Mr Bollesten, who took a Uad- , ingipart in4he foimer ceremony, is also .expected to be present and wi'l deliver a ■short address. Interesting as the sports >■■■ and so forth may be to the casual visitor, the unveiling of the obelisk should be a matter : of pride to the residents of the for it marks a distinct epoch in its history. BANGITATA BRIDfB BACKS. The annual race meetiig will take place at Rangitata Bridge, and as a very good prbgramme is to be gone through there should be a large attendance of residents : iri the neighborhood. The acceptances 'for several of the events will be found in another column.