CHRISTMAS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2142, 27 December 1890, Page 2

CHRISTMAS.

GERALDINE. The one thing needful to make Christmas a rea ; ly merry one in South Canterbury is a heavy downpour of rain, but instead o£ this the clerk of the weather, as if annoyed at having parted with a few hours fain the. previous week, sent along a succession of light nor'-westers, and en Tuesday night and Wednesday a real oldfashioned nor'-west "buster." The renult was that the public looked unwontedly grave for this usually festive season, while the farmers looked more like undertakers than the hearty .jovial yeomt-n they are wont to appear. The farmers of"the Geraldine district, although not faring quite so badly as their neighbors further south, are no exception to the rule. The hope inspired by the little rain which fell last week has been completely destroyed by the scorching sun and strong hot nor'- westers, while, as if to aggravate? his misery, the papers contain telegrams daily telling of abundance of rain on the'West Coast and elsewhere In this district the depression of the farmers means the depression of business generally, and tb?B probably accounts, for so little interest beiug taken this year by the tradespeople in making a Cbastmas display. Messm N. Dunlop and Co. have just completed a number of alterations and additions to their drapery store, including the enlarging of the window consequently they were enabled to set .iff their large and vnried stock of seasonable drapery to the advantage. A pretty arrangement of J.ipan e*e and fsncyware set off the interior of the shop very effectively- On th> grocery side an abundance ef Cnristmas cheer was profusely displayed. »i«Bsrs J. W. Pye, R Hi Pearpoi =:

and E. Morrison had also been a" some pains to set out their window* \ in the moat attractive manner, and the large variety of Christmas novelties. : fancy, and other goods, with th;i abundauce of feat'mrs, laces, an ribbons, made a nice show. In th-e-ocery departments Messrs Dunl>>p Pearpoint and Morrison made t-ff- cti»« J displays of' every description of Chfiat mas cheer Mr Jiiordan had , au attractive window, full of . k-ed and other cakes, and fancy cotj-fVotioitf-ry. Mrs B. Gibson, Mrs D Mcliraith and Mr :i. Fisher, at* stationers and fancj* goods deaierß, had displays of numbers ot the latest annuals, prize books, toys, Christmas cards, etc. . The weather was decidedly 1 against the bntcherß making any grea< ; display, but in fpito of the heat and dust Messrs W. Laweoo, F. Worner, 1 and N. Duulop had some prime beef, mutton, lamb, etc., ou exhibition The former had some very prime lamb tastefully decorated. Tbe butcher, 1 however, were only too ylad to ger their meat delivered to their customers at tke earliest possible moment. Mo*t of the hotels and stores were decorated outside with ti trees and evergreens, Mr W. Lawson being fortunate in securing a nice tree fern and ti tree, which, having their stems placed in the water-race, kept fresh and green for some time. Moat of the shops, too, had a profusion of Chinese lanterns, Mr Pearpoint having some exceptionally pretty and uncommon ones. CHRISTMAS DAY. At the Soman Catholic Church service was conducted by the Kev Father I'reacy. The building was more than packed, being found quite inadequate to accommodate tbe large number of worshippers who assembled. It is intended to enlarge the church immediately after the new year, and Thursday's service proved that the enlargement is absolutely necessary at the earliest possible moment. Father Treacy has got some good promises of support, and the improvements will soon be in hand. The building was decorated on Thu sday with evergreens and flowers placed round the walls, altar windows, etc, while pot plants and Christmas lilies were arranged within the communion rails. he musical part of the service was well rendered by a large choir. At bt. Mary's the service was conducted by the Kev. J. Preston, incumbent. There was a crowded congregation: The church was, as usual, decorated with flowers, evergreens, holly, etc, the effect of which was very pleasing. Behind the altar was a large and very pretty cross of lilies, and some red flowers, apparently geraniums. Ou either side of this were smaller crosses .of pines and blue flowers, while other designs io flover* and evergreens were scattered about in a very tasteful manner. The choir, which was assisted by the choirs of other chinches, was under the leadership of Mr fl W. Moore, and comprised, between 50 and 60 voices Miss vlice Fish presided at the organ The music sung had been assiduously practice'.! for some few weeks past and rhe r^nedition proved indeed a trout, ho lessons were read by Dv it. Fish and the Eev. J. Preston preached an appropriate sermon for Christmas Diy fi communion service was held immediately after the first service. Service was conducted at the Primi- , tive Methodist Church in the evening ' bv the Rev, G, Clement, a good congregation being preseut. The service , was especially suitable to Christmas ] Bay. TEMUKA. ' i CHRISTMAS EVE. ' It is probably owing to the er- i tremely unpleasant weather that there [ 1

was bo little attempt among stere- | keepers at. what is known as a "Reasonable display,"' With a howling nor'-weMter blowing, and dust flying in dense cloud*, .there ..-was;. neither encouragement for the trades- : man to decorate his wiudows nor t inducement for people to view them if I decked. ''he butchers, following traditional custom, filled their shops ► with joints of primer quality than their customers are ordinarily trnated to. At the Central Butchery Mr E. Vallender displayed «ome prime be*-f, gome capital lamb (well dressed), several sucking pigs, and so forth, i he shop was neatly decorated with [ evergreens and flowers, and presented a very clean and tasteful appearance. ' \t Mr McLeod's Bull's Head Butchery there was also an excellent display fhe meat was of first-rate quality and tastefully dressed. A bullock's head, a sheepVbead* and a pig's heat?, all ■ excellently got up, were shown in on« vt indow, and there were also displayed some prime lambs. The<e were dressed by Mr W,, Demuth, whosa I skill in this department is well known. Messrs-Whitehead and Hon, of the Al, had their premises neatly, but not 5 profusely decorated, and while not [ Attempting any great fancy display, showed some prime quality meat, ' which, apparently, was easily disposed of. 1 he fancy shops and confectioners, establishments displayed the usual j variety of Christmas cakes and so forth. Mr T. Barr had an excellent show, his selection of cakes being unusually choice. Mr McCaskill also p displayed some nice confectionery and a lot of fancy articles. Miss Donohue's display also attracted notice- 'be drapers' premises were well lighted, and in each there was a very creditable display of seasonable goods. 'I he drapers all displayed considerable taste in their window shows. Mr I (J- H. Mogridge had specialities in gentlemen's attire and also a well- ' dressed window of ladies' millinery, vlr 3. W. Miles, at the Stone Store, showed a variety of useful and fancy nicies, suitable for seasonable gifts, aud also a splendid selection of Hummer dress materials, millinery, and so forth- Mr W. C. Roulston's windows : a!so looked well and attracted much , ritrention. Mr Job Brown m<*de but r little show of drapi cy, but had the grocery side of his establishment tastefully set out. Mr Harrison, in addition to the customary exhibition of general stores, had added useful ' icicles in crockery, while Messrs Velvin and Taylor's neatly dressed ] windows, filled with Christmas fruits etc, looked remarkably well. The , stores kept open until a late hour, 1 and although the streetß did not appear ' so. crowded as usual, yet there seemed ' good buainf-88 doing. Although, the hotels seemed busy, yet there was no drunlteruess. lhe small boys as ! usual had a "high old time" with crackers, which they fired off at 1 intervals with startling effect. The band of the Salvation Army and the Arowhenua band made trips into the country, finishing well into the morning, and usherirg in Christmas Day with sacred melodies. Their playing was very creditable. .CHRISTMAS DAT, As far as the weather was concerned, was typical of New and advantage was taken ot it b\ numbers of people te enjoy a day's outing. From quite an early hour picnic parties were on the road and the several places of interest were visited The bushes, however, owing to the protracted drought, are less beautiful than usual, and the beach seems to attract most attention. Those who have been accustomed to view the day wi<h more subdued feeling were enabled to avail themselves of the religious services at the* Roman Catholic aud Anglican churches. At 3t John's Winchefater, the Be v. T. A. Hamilton conducted an early moruiog service with celebration of the Holy Communion. The church was lightly but tastefully decorated, and there was a large congregation. At eleven the special service appointed for the day was held at r*t. Saviour's Churoh, which was beautified with evergreens and flowers. Here also the sacrament was administered. In the evening there was the customary service, with special psalms. The sermons preached were impressive, and suitable to the occasion, The beautiful hymns fbi this of the church were heartily 'rendered by the choir, The sacrament of Baptism was administered in the afternoon. St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Temuka, was, as usual, beautifully decorated with artificial fbivers. Mass wa« celebrated at 8 a.m. and again at 10,30 a.m. by the Uev. FVther Fauvel. The choir, with Mina Gaffaney presiding at the organ, f-aug " The* Angelic Messenger," BsiVMaSB, the " Adeste Fideles " at the oflv<rtory, and the " Venite Adoremus " after mass. At Pleasant Point the Kev. Father Aubery celebrated two masses. The choir, with Miss Lizzie Hoare.as organiste, sana; before mat»« the " Venite Adoremus," at the offertory "Adeste Fideles," after the elevation " 0 Salutans," after mass " Angels We Have Heard on High." High mass was Chanted at 10 30. I he church was beautifully decorated with evergreens and flowers by the ladies of the Altar Society. , Christmas services were held in connection with the Salvation Army on ! Thursday last. The first service was a : short" knee-drill" at 7.30 a m. At 11 a.m. another meeting was held, which was fairly attended. Captain Duggah, | who waß leading, took for the lesson ■, the second chapter of St. Matthew, »

and urged upon all the necessity of a closer walk with God in the ensuing year than in the preceding one. At night a meeting was held, when there was a large attendance, lhe Captain led, and wished all a *';Merry Christmas," Mrs Duggan chiming in with a "Happy New Tear." A banjo solo was well rendered, and listened to with rapt attention. Mrs Duggan read a portion of Scripture from St. John. Tarious testimonies were given, and Christmas services closed shortly after nine.