NEW YEAR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1989, 2 January 1890, Page 2

NEW YEAR.

TEM.UKA. Fireworks on a small scale, and crackers on a large scale, werethe leading features of the New Year celebration in Temuka. Crackers must have been very cheap, judging from the quautity of them which was discharged. They continued almost all the evening, and again yesterday a good many of them were beard to go off. The eveniug was fine, and a large number of people were about the streets until aboHt 11 o'clock, but everything passed off quietly. Duriag the evening the, Arowhenua Bind paraded the town, diecouraing fome excellent music, and it was about 2 n.m. when we heard the last of thern. Vigil services were held in the Church of England, at which there was a large attendance. After an introductory service, with prayers for a blessingon the New Tear, the Kev. T. A, Hamilton de'ivered a short address, baeed on Hebrew x., 7—" Lo I come to do Tby will, oh God.'' He showed the need of a master resolution in life, and of strengthening it by definite acta of consecration. They should recall the past, and make an effort to live better livts in the future, so as to do God's will on earth. After the address there was a solemn interval for silent prayer, while tha striking of clocks and the peaiing of bells proclaimed the M birth of New Year. Holy Communium -4B was celebrated immediately after, 22 per- -"j sons participating in it. After the singing of a hymn of praiae and the Benediction formal greetings were exchanged, and the service came to a close. Services were also held in the Wesleyan Church ! JM and Primitive Methodist Church, good .W congregations being present at both. 1

Yesterday was observed as a solemn holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church. Masses were celebrated at 7 a.m. s>nd 10 a.m. by the Rev. Father Fauvel, at each of which there was a large attendance. At 10 a.m. the Rev. Father Fauvel delivered a short but forcible address, urging his flock to try and lead better lives in the future. UERALDINE. The New Year was ushered in with very little demonstration at Geraldine, A cracker or two was exploded spasmodically to signify the rejoicing of the youthful portion of.the townsfolk. The larrikins of the town were in force, and gave vent to their animal spirits by removing gates, smashing fenees, aDd otherwise damaging property.

Yesterday proved another disappointing day to the good people of Geraldine; The morning broke beautiful and clear, and the prospects of a floe day were very rosy. About tea o'clock, however, a very heavy bink of clouds in the south- • west, and the mutleiings of distant thundsr, warned peopls, that a storm was brewiog, and soon after it commenced to rain heavily. A considerable portion of the population h ft by road and rail for tbe Caledonian Sports in Timaru, while a number of visitors arrived in the township on picnic and other excursions bent. The annual picnic cf the Welcome Retreat Lodge of Good Templars is usually held on New Year's Day, and yesterday was to have been held in the small bush park at Geraldine. The lodge members and their friends were to have marched from the Good Templar Hall to the ground at 10.30 a.m., but the heavy rain that was falling at the tima utterly precluded any idea of a picnic being held outdoors. A ■ considerable number of Good Templars and their friends, with the members of tbe Geraldine Braes Bind, had met at the hall, and after waiting for about half-an-hour in hopes of the weather clearing it was decided that it would be wiser to hold the gathering in the Volunteer Hall. The rain having somewhat moderated shortly before twelve a move was made for the ball. A procession headed by the band ivas formed, and, accompanied by a large number of friends, the members marched to the hall. Here all sorts of games were indulged in till about half-past twelve, wbeu an abundant dinner was served During the afternoon the weather cleared up beautifully fine, and the small paik was resorted to. A great many persons y were tempM to visit the ground, and be- \ fore evening there was a large gathering of people present. Outdoor games were kept gomg with great spirit till about five oclock, when tea was served in the Volunteer Hall, a plentiful supply of eood thiDgs being banded round. After tea the park was agam resorted to, and a very nightfall. Hud the weather been fine

there is no doubt that this popular annual gathering would have Inen very largely patronised.