CHRISTMAS CHEER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 958, 24 December 1881, Page 2

CHRISTMAS CHEER.

MASTERTON. The near proximity of the day when peace and goodwill should reign supreme and feasting and joy found in every home, j» was demonstrated last evening by grand BHk displays of Christinas ; Wtmfiy tne butchers, of the distiict, -OawaEmaa con- H| fectionery by the bakere; and Christmas t toys, &0., by the fancy goods' dealers • and stationers. Of the butchers in Maaterton Mr Walter Perry's central establishment took the lead, and a, better show of meat could not be found throughout the length < and breadth of the colony, and the _ weighta will show that very few could come up to it. On Ihe left of the door was a monstrous sheep, bred by Mr J. Taphn, of the Taratahi, which weighs lb'Olbs. We hardly expect that to be beaten anywhere, Thoro wore arranged inside the shop othor sheep bred by Mr J. Stuckey of the Rangitumau, and Mr B. P. Perry, of the Taratahi, winch turned the scale at 1251b5. In tlio centre of the window was a splendid calf of Mr W. Pony's own breeding, 10 weoks old, weighing nearly 200 cwt. He was supported right and left by somo very nice lambs, from Mr H. Jones', Te-Ore-Ore, These were but a few weoks old, and weighed about CO lbs. Some nice porkers i'roin Mr Pike's, of Te Whiti, flanked each side by sheep, made up tho somi circle of the window. Below theae wero some suckers gaily decorated, and artistically cut saddles of mutton, which were ornamented and inscribed with appropriate' Christmas niottos. lusido tho shop another semi-oircle was arranged, the centre pißce being beef grown by Mr Stuckey, The carcase weighed over 15 hundred-weight, and was a grand specimen of meat, This was flanked on each tide by other specimens of tho Bame animal, while arranged in the back-ground were sheep. Forming a son of trimming to the whole were a number of fat turkeys. The shop was handsomely decorated with evergreens, and illuminated with Chinese lanterns, the whole forming a pretty effect, which attracted a very large number of visitors during the i evening. Mr Perry's other shops also had i good, though small, displays, , At Messrs Briggs and Warren's the exir hibition was rather a small one, they having been thrown back through tho swollen river the last few days, preventing thorn getting to their slaughter house. , Their meat, however, was of good size t and quality, and while Mr Perry had an , extraordinary Bhoep, they wero fortunate i in providing a phenomenal calf, which, though only 8 weeks old, weighed , three hundred-weight, being bred by , Mr W. loniS; of Maaterton, Their 3 beef bred by Mr Livingstone was excel- , lent in quality, the largest turning the • scale at 1,120 lbs. The featuro of this i show was the lamb?, which, though not ;', of unusual size, were remarkable for their r fatness. They hid been fatteued in . Messrs Briggs and Warren's own paddock, and weighed 4'llb. Their sheep, bred by Mr T..L. Thompson, were excel- • lent looking meat, though not very luxgo, k and the pork also was a nice specimen^ ' . UARTKHTON.

At Carterton there was, as usual, an excellent display, the establishments being elegantlydecurcted and brilliantly lit,up. Mr Geurge Bowles took the lead with some splendid meat; but our corresuW dent has not yet forwarded the weights;* ■ it. The beef, pork, and mutton, porkers] suckers, and poultry 'were artistically arranged, and attracted a very large number of visitors, Messrs Deller and Rumble also made a grand display, and attracted their share of notice; nor was Mr Morgan behindhand, his shop being gaily decorated, and his meat prime. (iItBJTOWN.Tho shows of meat in Greytowf last evening were equal, and iu somo re'jpeots belter than has been exhibited for the past few years. Foremost, as usual, ia Mr Sim Haigh's show. Here was seen beef, veal, mutton, lamb, and pork in profusion. The ceiuro piece a calf, bred by P. Cotter sen., of Greytown, was really a magnificent animal, rarely if over has it

been uquallqd' in this district. The exhibition of bee! too was really lirst class, the two carcaties shewn were locally bred, from

Mr J. Judd's farm. The sheep too were from a local farm, Mr B. Kimberleys', and as a sample of mutton it would be (iilticult to get better. The lambs'and purkuro were above the usual stamp, in fact everything denoted that the festive aeiß(iii was at hind, and that a ncrvo had been strained to soa what could be done. The decorations wore very t.istefully, arthe verandah posts wtrj all mmmod with evergreen, and the inside of the shop looked like a combined meat and flower show, Nono the less successful was Mr J. Warrington in his exhibition of meat, in fact we must «wo him the palm for mutton, one splendid carcase bred by Mr flirsohberg of tiroytown, was the aduvtationof all, and two others bred by Mr J O'Connor of Greytown came in for a large share of praise, which they really deserved, ,Tho beef bred by Mr T. Walker was a splendid specimen, and shows what our local breeders can do. The lambs dressed as thoy were with flowers and.evergreen looked too good to eat, but were nevertheless,destined for that jmvposo" The porkers and suckers too were far above the average quality, which showed that Mr Warrington determined not to he outdoue, and had not spared anything to got a good show.this season, The decorations were'very neat and pretty, and showed that the light fingers, and peculiar skill of the fuir sox had been called into requisiton, In Mr Mitchell's shop there was nothing more than the ordinary show of meat, wliich, on Ihe whole, wus very good.

Having said a litllo about the butensrs, we must aiy a few words the bakira, At Magterton Mr lod with a display of. beautifully, ornamented Cliriulmaß' cikes, and Christmas panfectionery of all kinds, lr's window being brilliantly lit up and attracting groat notice. Messrs Chsimboil-iin Bros, had 'heir usually nice stock with some special Christmas additions. Mr A. L. Whyte's establishment at Carterton sustained bis reputation bb the best b.iker in that town, Mr E. L. Wakelin also having a good display. Mr It Freeman's confectioner's shop in Greytown was very tastefully laid out, the cake, boti bona, lollies, h., 'that, were expnred to the public gaze donotcd ] that llm little ones will not go short! during this festive season. / Tito d'splay of Christmas faro throughout the district shows a great advance on past years, and proves that the Wairarapa possesses splendid stock, and talent to show it to tho best advantage.