CHRISTMAS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2912, 28 December 1895, Page 2

CHRISTMAS.

TEMUKA. At Temuka on Christmas Eve the town presented quite a lively appearance. Several of the storekeepers had completed their decorations by the display of evergreens and Chinese lanterns, and the effect was inspiriting. A lot of the country people came in and a good deal of business appeared to be done. The small boy with crackers was soon suppressed, and the town settled down to its usual quietude shortly afrer eleven o’clock. During the night the Salvation Army Baud visited houses in Temuka, Wiuchester,and Milford and played a number of Christmas carols, &c. On Christmas Day there were special services in the Anglican aud Roman Catholic Churches, and celebrations in the Ai my barracks. St. Saviour’s Church.

The church was very tastefully, but not extensively, decorated. A large cross of white lilies was placed upon the altar, and light wreathings of evergreen around the windows, lecteru, reading desk, and font. Above the altar was hung a very well executed painting of an augel, the work of Mr White, the churchwarden, and given by him to the Church. The service in the morning was the customary one for the day. Special Christmas hymns were sung, aud the Rev. T. Farley preached an appropriate sermon. In the evening a carol service was held. A nrief address upon the influence of Christ’s advent upon the social conditions of the world was given by the incumbent, and the congregation joined.ih two hymns from the Christmas collection. The carols, which were nicely sung by the choir, were : “ The First Nowell,” “ Good King Weheslas,” “ The Angel Gabriel,” ‘ See, Amid the Winter Snow,” and “ Good Christiau Men Rejoice.” Solos were sung by Miss A. L. LeiAou, “ The Holy City,” and Messrs Rutland and Cookson. The former sang “ Nazareth,” the latter “ Old Christmas Night.” Misses E. Pilbrow and A. White sang “ He Wipes the Tear from Every Eye.” Mrs Farley officiated at 'the organ and played the accompaniments very tastefully. The service was a happy innovation, and was appreciated. At its close the incumbent thanked the choir and those not immediately connected with it for giving their time co the production of the carols. A collection was made for the choir funds. st, Joseph’s church.

At St. Joseph’s mass was celebrated at 8 a m and 10.30, Father Fauvel officiating There were large congregations at each. The altar was, as usual, beautifully decorated, aud the choir gave a splendid rendering of some delightful music. Before mass the choir sang “ The Angelic Messenger,” and the other pieces sang were the “ Kyrie,” “ Gloria,” and “ Smctus” from Winter’s Mass, “Credo ” and “Agues Dei” from Bordeae’s Mass, and “Adeste Fideles” and “ The Snow Lay on the Ground.” Miss Quinn presided at the organ. Salvation Army. A naval-rescue meeting was held at the Army Barracks on Christmas night, a capital attendance being present. The soldiers and officers were nearly all in naval dress, a costume appropriate to the meeting. Captain Eidy Randall gave an address on Rescue Work in New Zealand, and Staff-Captain Paul’s descriptive account of the Wreck of the Wairarapa was listened to with much interest and appreciation. On Boxing Night the tea passed off well. The tables, which were loaded with the best of provisions, were given aud presided over by Messrs Bates, Addis, Parkes, Butler, Metson, Pulford, and Robinson; Mesdarnes Gooclwillie, Walker, Mclunes, W. Cross, Bates, King, Cruickshanks, Robinson, R. Cross, and Anderson ; and Misses Patrick, Beck, and Vallance. A public meeting followed the tea, and was well attended. FIREWORKS. Mr and MraElij ih Brown entertained a large party of friends on Christmas Day in their beautiful home at Temuka, aud wound up the festivities with a splendid display of fireworks in tho evening. Tlmre was an abundant supply of rockets, Catherine wheels, colored lights, etc., and the peformance lasted for about an hour. The fireworks were directed by Mr Brown himself, assisted by Mr Turner, of Christchurch, Mr Cecil Brown, and Mr Cooper, and was made mest interesting In front of the gate were the words “ Merry Christmas,” worked in hay on wire netting stretched between poles, and when this was set fire to it looked very neat, but the prettiest sight of all was the shrubbeiy illuminated by colored lights. The effect was delightful, and the scene enchanting, recalling to memory the pictures given by Moore in Lalla Rookh of “The Feast of Roses.” The proceedings came to a close about 9.30 p.m., and the party separated with many hearty good wishes for Mr and Mrs Brown and family.

PLEASANT POINT. St. Mary’s.

At St. Mary’s Father Le Mennaut Des Chesnais celebrated three masses. The ehurch was beautifully decorated by the young ladies of the congregation, and the choir acquitted themselves splendidly. Miss D. Hoare presided at the organ.

WINCHESTER. On Tuesday evening last service was held in St John’s Church, the Rev. T. Farley takiqg the service. Some very pretty carols were given by the choir. Mrs Francis Barker contributed two very nice sacred songs, which were very much appreciated. Mr inwood presided at the organ, and must be congratulated upon the success of the musipal gprt of thp service, The following are the selections given:—Hymn 62; carols, "The Manger Throne.” and "The Hallowed Season Comes Again”; “He Shall Feed His Flock,” Mrs F. Barker; carols, " Good Christian Men Rejoice ” ; “ It came upon the midnight clear ” ; “ The first Nowell ”; “ Far away in David’s City ” ; ‘‘Qn fhg Birthday of the Lord”; Hymn 50. ‘ 1 ‘

On Christmas Day the morning service was taken by Mr Gladstone, the lay-reader. The Church was tastefully decorated bv the ladies o'l ia3 'ungregatioa with Christmas lilies, ferns, and foliagd. A largo and well-trained choir rendered appropriate bymns ia excellent style. Both the services were rather poorly attended but those present enjoyed a pleasant and, let V* Hope, a profitable time.

GERALDINE. Christmas Eve passed off much in the Usual way. Th,e shops were brilliantly lighted up with Chinese latsrns, aud were prattijy decorated wi,th cabbage trees, evergreens, eto, yi’.d all were doing a busy trade. There were a many peojiV on the street’ until a late hour, aud the ijoy? 1 amused themselves, as u’ual. with squibs, crackers, and rockets. L'tle in the evening the local Fire Brigade assisted by members pf-tiiO Primitive Methodist Church choir sang covcraf. ghriatuuM PfPf? in lro " t oi: the houses, aud later o;,i the ’t'CHluka liiAss i Baud also plaved some appropriate mpsic i in a very creditable manner. The Salvation | Army Brass Brand also played some pieo- s, calling at places between Mr K. .McKenzie s aud tho stone bridge. It is pleasing to state that although there was much noise njade by those keeping late hours, still there was no damage dpne other .than fhe unhinging of about a couple of gate?. On Curistroas morning the sun shone strong, aud the day vyas very cjose and " stuffy.”

Special services were held in Sfc. Mary’s Anglican Church, which was beautifully decorated with flowers, evergreens, etc. The Rev. Jas. Preston preached an impressive sermon to a very large congregation. During the service four Christmas carols were sung by the choir. There was also a celebration of the Holy Communion. At St. Mary’s in the Bush mass was held at 8 a.m. and at 10.30 a.m. The Rev. Father Bowers took for his text. St. John i., 14., “ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt amongst us.” In each case there was a large congregation and a good number of communicants.

Special Christmas services were held in the Primitive Methodist Church on Sunday last, when the Rev. Mr Harris discoursed ia the morning on “ The Advent of the World;? Redeemer,” and in the evening on “ God’s Great Gift to Man.” During these services special carols were sung by the choir, and solos were given by Mr Robson, and Misses Andrews and Maslin ; and Misses Andrews and Sherratt sang a duet.