CHRISTMAS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1833, 27 December 1888, Page 1

CHRISTMAS.

TEMITKA,

On Christmas Era there w»3 the customary display by the tradesmen of Temuka of their various seasonable good*. Comparatively little attempt, however, waa made at deoora. tion, and up to a late hour it was hard to realise that the festive season was at hand, The butohers had thoit premises decorated with evergreens, and the meat displayed did credit to the grazier. They wore kept busy until well into the evening. In spite of a wet evening the stores also appeared to do good business, and certainly there were numerous temptations in the shape of useful ana ornamental articles to spend one's surplus cash. All the drapers made extensive preparations, and their windows were simply bewildering to the maaouline mind. Perhaps few thiDgs are so indioativo of prograss as the class of fancy goods that annually make their appearance at Christmas time. Ohoioo designs In porcelain, elegant bronzes, and pretty nick-nacks of all descriptions, many of them really works of art, can now be purchased lor a few shillings, while a half.orown expended in Christmas cards would ennble one to supply a numerous circle of acquaintances with mementoes of really artistic merit. At about half-past nine the pant-up spirits of the younger members, of the community found vent in the firing off of crackers and the display of colored lights. The former was rather a nuisanoe, but the burning of the latter gave quite a picturesque appearance to- the streets. Later on, after the stores were dosed, an energetio band of youths tired of comparative inaction, relieved their feelings by removing gates, pulling down deoorations, and barricading the streets with packing oases, etc Early on Christmas morning the expre«sions of goodwill towards men were not so hearty as thoy might have been.

For the first time for at least fifteen years Christmas day was wet, and even oold. At about ten o'clock it was erident that all hopes of a fine day must bi given up' The itieets were deserted, and anticipated pionios and so forth had ta be abandoned. Altogether the d»y must have proved a disappointing one to many. At St. Saviour's Church morning and evening services were oondueted by tho Inoumbent, who preached ssrmons appropriate to tho day. The Church was very beautifully deoorated. There was a fair attendance at the morning servioo, but the church was only half filled in the evening. Tho cuntomary Christmas hymns were sung. The offertories for the day were dovoted to tho Sunday Sohoolfund.

Masses 'Were celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, Temuks, at 8 a.m. and 10.30 a.m., the Rev. Father Fauvel officiating. At tho second Masn the rer. gentleman preaohad a short but appropiate sermon, reminding hie congregation of their duties at this holy season bf the year. They had a great deal to be thankful for, in the many blessing! bestowed upon them during the past year, and the best way to express their gratitude to the Great Giver of erory benefloenoo they enjoyed was to load holier lives, to love their neighbors as themselves, to forgire their enemies, and bo truly repentant for past transgressions. The church was arranged in all its splendour for the oooasion, and presented a really handsome appearaoos. The choir, under the Sisters of Sr. Joseph, sang the Angelic Messenger Hymn, Winter's Mass, the Adeste Fdeles, and the hymn, " See amidst the winter snow." Considering the fact that there are no male voices in the choir, the. singing was really good, a fact which is due to the careful training of the sisters.

GER&LDINE. At Geraldine on Eve the business people did very little in the way of deoorating their establishments, but ia all were to bo found large and well assorted stooks of goods suitable for the season. Such a display of mioknaoks, &0., was never before seen in the township, and those in want of presents really must hare been bewildered when trying to make a selection. Tho grooery and confectionery establishments had some moit tempting displays, and the butchers were not behind the times, and made a splendid show. Unfortunately the evening proved wet, but notwithstanding this the streets seemed pretty full, and the various plaoes of buunesi seemed to be well patronised. Christmas Day at Geraldine was at usual very quietly spent, partaking greatly of the nature of Sunday. Servioe was conducted in the morning at St. Mary's, which was specially prepared. The reading desk, lectern, and alter rails were very tastefully decorated'with flowers, and festoons of evergreens snd flowers. The Eev. Jas. Preston (Inoumbeoi) conducted the servioe, There was a good congregation. The text chosen for the day was " Behold-I bring you good tidings of great joy, whioh shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day, in the pity of Eavid, a Saviour, whioh is Christ the Lord"—(Luke ii., 10 and 11), on which the rev. gentleman preached a most impressive sermon. At the Roman Gatholio Church the Bey. Father Bowers preached to. good oongregations at 8 and. 10,30 a.m. and again at 6.30 p.m., the subject of his address being, " Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, whioh shall be to all people," Lake ii., 10. At the evening servioe the Benediction of the Most Blessed Saoramerit was given. The altars were tastefully decorated for the day. .