NEW YEAR’S EVE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2300, 2 January 1892, Page 2

NEW YEAR’S EVE.

TEMUKA. At Temuka the close of the old year and advent of the new was celebrated in the usual way. The business places were kept open until a late hour, and were thronged with customers. The confectioners’ shops were brilliantly lighted, and their displays attracted the admiring attention of the young folks. Bands of youths hung about the main streets and discharged crackers and fireworks whenever the constable could be dodged, and the scene generally was an amusing one. Vigil services were held at the several churches and attracted good congregations. At St. Saviour’s the sacrament of Holy Communion was administered. As soon as the church bells announced the hour of midnight there was a further display of fireworks, some little cheering, and a general buzz of congratulatory greetings among those who remained upon the street to see the bid year out. The Arowhenua Brass Band played through tho streets of the townships of Arowhenua and Temuka during the evening and received considerable encouragement. Shortly after one o’clock everything had resumed its normal appearance, and the old year remained only as a memory of the past. With regard to these annual celebrations, perhaps a few words to the younger and fun-loving members of the community will be taken in good part. Everyone has a right to his own opinion, and in the minds of many it may be considered the “ correct thing” to frighten horses and timid ladies and children by discharging crackers and festive fireworks during their progress along the streets, but it is undoubtedly bad taste to have pyrotechnic exhibitions outside churches where people are assembled at divine worship. When these exhibitions are accompanied by stone-throwing upon the roofs, and a yelling that would do credit to a Wild West Show, the practice is not only in bad taste but is decidedly reprehensible. A moment’s consideration should show the genial larrikins that, to use one of their own expressions, conduct like this is “ cutting it a little too fat.”

GERALDINE,

New Year’s eve at Geraldine passed away, it is pleasing to note, without any larrikinisra worth recording. So far as could be seen only one gate had been removed from its position, and suspended to a lamppost, and property in general appears to have been free from meddlesome hands this year. The Geraldine Fire Brigade’s display of fireworks attracted hundreds of people to the town. The procession started from the lower end of the street, below Messrs Dunlop and Go’s., and was headed by the Geraldine Brass Band, conducted by Mr T. Sherratt, playing “ The moon behind the hill.” Following the band came the Darktown Brigade with a good imitation of a fire engine made with a couple of old packing cases and a set of wheels. The driver represented a dummy clown, and in the brigade were negroes, twQ clowns, and a policeman. Coloured lights were burned on the march, which gave the public a good view of the Darktowon Brigade going through their buffoonery, to the great delight and amusement of the young people. The darktown policeman wielded his baton till the sweat made a flesh-coloured line down his black nose as it found its way to the ground, and the frequent cry of “ The Bobby ! The Bobby! ” from the clowns appeared to amuse everyone. The procession after going through the main street turned oft’at the saleyards and finished up at the Domain, where an immense crowd of people had gathered. Here a selection was played by the band, after which a large balloon ascended into the air ajifl went up so high that it appeared like a tiny speck against the sky. A pretty display of consisting of qatherine wheels, roman candles, rockets. the devil among the tailors,” and numbers of coloured lights helped the old year to shuffle oft’ its mortal coil and the new year to take its place. A house, constructed of old bags and wood, was then set fire to, and the Darktown

Brigade brought their engine into play ■■ in as comical a manner as p assible. An A effigy was also burnt with the house, Captain Walton and his men are worthy of praise for- their laudable efforts to make the advent of the New Year of 1892 a merry one. Likewise to the police and the public in general a word of comenda- wH tion is due for keeping the oval clear, so ™ that the display of fireworks could go on uninterruptedly. ■ Later on resort was niads by the fire, brigade and band to the Brigade where a supply of good tilings was waiting, and a “ jolly good time ” spent. L A watch night service was held in St. Mary’s Church, Geraldine.