CHRISTMAS EVE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 959, 27 December 1881, Page 2

CHRISTMAS EVE.

MASrE.iTU.i-. Ims very gay on Oliritjmas' Evo Queen'itreet being cniwdeo with 'people; all tin; -hops did a good busings, and the amoiiu'i laid out foi'presents and Christmas Olieei indicated .that, good ..times have a«ain arrived. 'The; principil attraction'on ■Saturday evening was the Masterton Vuluiiteor Band which played a selection ■f potmlar melodies from Messrs Watson' and Winteringhain's balcony, . 6BEYTOWN. This town appeared more than usually lively on Christinas Eve. The main street presented a very animated appearance, ■lie constant stieam of horsemen, pedestr ans,, and buggies t liar passed to. and fro, betokened that-the festivities' had commenced in earnest, and the amount of evergreens that was displayed at the v.irious places of business, showed that one and all entered into the " Welcome, "f Christmas" with spirit. The lust train brought a great many visitors' from Wellington, among whom were some wellknown face', who, no doubt, felt they 1 could enjoy themselves hotter aiming their country tiiends than they could in the iinoky atmosphere of the city. The Volunlepr Band commonced to serenade inhabitants almut nine o'clock, and their music was listened to with pleasure till past midnight, This baud has been greatly augmented of lute, and must be complimented on the great progress they have made, in .their playing. . Wo. must not forget the service and Carol singing at bt. Luke's church, which (as usual, with anylhing the clioir.undertakes) passed olf very well, and gavo entire satisfaction to all present. We are pleased to see tho old English customs becoming more popular here, as it must tend to recall some pleasant recollections of life in the old country among a great many of those present. After midnight si'ine Carol siiuo.'S spranaded various pans of tho town, and from the manner in which they sang the diligent swrniible songs and biL ids oitjst hare been listened to by the aH'akeni 'g audiences ivith great pleasure ; a second patty of Caiol sinners,.with instrumental accompaniment, also made tho t wn lively during the early hours of Christinas,, and from the quick and hearty way in which tliey were responded to proved that (heir elfuria were successful, One individual thinking the singers were in need.of a refresher, brought out a jug of water, but in return for his kindness rei'cwd an cxiemporoshower bath; the next one.visiierl. was a little more considerate, for their "spiiitg" were considerably raised before leaving, The first set of i|indrilles were nuxl vtli'V succes9f'il y got t In uiigh on the White Pine Creek Bridge, The hand, four in number, must iiave had an) thing hut a pleasing effect on the inhabitantants in the immediate neighbourhood, playing .as. they were in different kejs and tunes, but there is an end to everything, and the Christmas E*o festivities at Greytown came to an end at the bro ik of d iy. :

CARTERTON. Carterton on Friday evening presented a very gay and animated appearance, a large number of the shop verandahs being converted into li tie sylvan bowers by the masses of ferns and bushes attached to them. Tho three butchers had their shops welLjtqcked and tastefullylaii\ out. Mr Lowles had picked a couple of heifersfrom Messrs iiidwill's tli.it turned tho• scale at 83Glbs ■ nd 73Glbs, also four big sheep varying from 100 ibs t) 140lbs and eight others >iverngiuif übout 8011 is, besides some splendid'ltimbs and suckers, Messrs Dellar and Mumble's show was not quite as 'arge, luit every caro had. been taken to show i r off to tlie best advantage and so lar as nuality was concerned nothing was li-ftto be desired. Mr Morgan, too, had a very fair display, well arranged, it beini; .pretty level pegging liefc leea his fat sheep and those ot ins fellow tradesmen up the road, lioyoml the stock mentioned there was a plenlit'ul supply at each shop of all kind,: of poultry, &e. The stores also were well worthy of inspection, a drapery u';n:!()w at Mr G. A, Fairbrother's being artistically arranged, while it was diiliciilt io siy wliotlier lie or Mr Gardener could claim first honors. Tlio latter had a very excellent display of Kiiiapoi goods, and Jameson Bro.'s store was not behind its neighbors. Messrs Hunter and Bayliss also had their shops laid out tastefully, and being tho great point of attraction for Hie yos.nsters from tlie plentiful display of toys, itc. FEATHERSTON. This usually quiet township put on a livelier air in honor of Christmas, the shops being gaily decorated, and many more people ilinn usual woro to be seen along the main street 011 Christmas eve. The butchers here, as well as in the other townships, made a very successful show, Messrs Everett anl Wood hearing off the palm. 'I hey had three magnificent beef carcases from Messrs Beetham's Camp run ami from Mr John McKe.izie's farm. 1 heir lambs and mutton came from Mr Charles Fenwiclc's and were good specimens. These were decorated and skilfully inscribed with Christinas mottos, At Mr W\ Abbott's there was also, an excellent display, his splendid beef coining from Mr R, Yule's and tho lambs from Mr John Murphy's, Air J. Viles was not behindhand and his thow attracted great admiration.