CHRISTMAS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2485, 24 December 1886, Page 2

CHRISTMAS.

The approach of the season when feas and revelry, pervades the atmosphere, and peaco and ,goodwill is extended to all men, was heralded last evening in Masterton by a royal display of creature 'Mmforts by our local butchers. Mr W. Perry, who has everything.pretty well his : own way, made the most of' his' three establishments. which rare fairly crowded with carcasses of beef and mutton, the whole-being of auCh quality and condition that indicates more than anything else, the excellence of 'the sekon and 'the ■ capabilities of the Masterton pasturage for Ejrazing* and fattening' purposes. .Mr Perry's No. 1 shop, presided over by Messrs Foy and Worth, was decorated in a style that reflects''credit to them. From ,the verandah to tho door a Bcore of welldressed lambs, somo of them prize takers at the Masterton Show, were hung, in a half,circle artistically interspersed with sucking pigs, prime, joints of beef, 'small goods, hams and bacon, the, latter being,': according to the ornamental inscription: on them, ''Fed, bred and:,eured ; by W. Perry." Inside the aliop werd, three. ■ bodies of rich colored and well fedj beef,; two of them being first prize takers', one of which* would turn the scSle at 12001b5.. The.mutton Was just what one would desire,'good quality not pver fat,' ared all wethe®-' To show ..what .can- be done,-.-ail ! immense sheep hung from ; the contre of the whic|- was a perfect mass of fat, and will giv^ some return-for tallow, after it has passed: through- process of-,, melting. A' splendid specimen of calves from the Te Ore Ore pasturage formed the centre piece,-which for size and condition woujd be hard to beat, judging from its dimeh-j sions it would tako close on SOOlbs to pull/ it down, . '> ■• No. ?Shop, .under MpHolloway's direct itin; '.was a perfect-.art gallery, and demonstrated'' to what degreo ' even a .butcher can place his flares before the. public, , The Qiieen-st. window was rosplendent with lambs dreßsed in the latest* styles, and temptingly decorated with fruit. Ah immense sheep was th'e, ; centre piece, which was calculated to turn the scale at 1401bs, a bevy of Germans, Bologna's, white puddings, sausages, and pies accompanied this carcase, the whole being fairly surrounded-with floral and paper -wreaths, showing the hand of the the ladieß very prominent in the'preparations. Tho Ohuvch-st. window ra flevot'ed to the Bucking pig, liara and bacon contingent, which were freely mixed with the genuine trade emblems of horns, tails, and feet duly prepared. The mutton and beef, though not of that excessive fatness, was nevertheless of a quality that must command tho attention of commisseurs, and the praise :of. epicures. The same may bo said of tho calf, which occupied the ceitral position.: Even tho ■ block was)(not forgotten. and

received /its embellishment, the whole establishment, insidoana out, being gay with' Chinese lanterns, ferns, and evergreens, No 3, shop, Kuripuni, showed that .i masterhand. had been at-work and: spoke ,'pf. the attention and decorative, genius of its manager, Mr, W. Morris; With meat of equal quality to tho other. Bhops, and with the assistance'.of. ; floral, fruit, and; other devices, tho'-place was transferred froratho real to tlie ethereal; • if such a term can be used in connection with an establishment of the kind/'

Mr Hockley's establishment in Perrystreet was not far behind his morepretentious neighbor, and made his shop quite gay with, mutton, beef, and lamb from the well-known pasturage of Mr A, Johnson, Makora. If anything is wanted as an argument ofi the advantages of our annual pastorabhows, the quality of the .meat exhibited in Masterton this season is.an unanswerable one. ,Mr' Hockley's ■fine display of fowls, ducks, geese, sucking pigs, and smaH 'goods'formed a very tempting picture, and spoke volumes ,in •favor of the'digestive capacity of the residents of the Masterton district. Perhaps one of the most attractive, scenesln Queifn-streefc last evening- was the show at. the Bon Marohe. . This establishment; ihad its handsome and attractive windows dressed' out in a style that evon most fastidious could not find ,Mt with,;;the millinery being ■ displayed Vith artistic taste, and the clothing exhibited to every conceivable advantage. Theinterior of the shop (seen through' the £iass doors), was so arranged-that . the various branches 'of business carried oil by Messrs L. J. Hooper and Co. were exhibited' to 7 their fullest. oxtent. An attractive display of Chinese lanterns were hung under the verandah, and the fronfc'of the premises was thronged with admiters till the lights wero put out, at. about ten o'clock.

This morning the whole town is alive with the decorative spirit. Large fern trees, Nikaus,-Koninis and other fancy e vergre en a are emb ellishiog the horseposta, veraiidahposts, and doorways of-tha business.places from one end of the town to the other,' Qiieen Street in an incredible short timehas been converted from its hard business appearance to a truly festive and refreshing • scene. Between the Post' Office and the Prince of Wales. Hotel there will be a most extensive display this evening, as the number of Chinese afid other lanterns that are being hung up will in themselves form a most exhilarating sight. Among the confectioners wo notice Messrs McGlashan and Pelling have got a splendid collection of Christirias cpmmodities embellished in grand .'decorative styles with all the, wishes and compliments of the season. The establishments of Messrs J.,. Williams .and 6. Farmer are fairly crowded with presents to delight tlie little ones, who oii waking on Christmas fhorning hurryto receptaclos placed for the annual visit of " Santa Claus". The churches will commence their, annual festivals this evening. St Patrick's leading' the way with Midnight Mass,' which • commences- at >l2 o'clock. The service will be choral, the; choir having' the able leadership of Mr'Pearson , 'and l will render j. Johnston's Mass of the ImmaculateConoeption, Vincent Novello's arrangement of the Adeste Pideles, arid ■Guonod's- Nazareth, with; chorus. "To-, morrow there wilt be. morning and evening services, when the Mass and' other' choral arrangements will be carried put at the former one. St Matthew's Church' will hold. a. morning - service to-morrow, wheiiithe usual- Christmas carols will be "purig'-by.'the choir. ,An early morningservice: will be -held at the Wesleyan Church, which will commence .at seven o'clock. '

' On Monday, Boxing .Day, the Lower Valley Races will' afford. the southern sportsmen an enjoyable day out;'wliile this end of the Valley will have the Mas-terton-Opaki'Kaco's to -visitj .the entries ifor which, and the 'arrangements made, ought- to furnish a' most' Successful .gathering,. Picnics, no ■ doubt, will furnislvthe moie sober minded with the day's enjoyment, the annual gathering of the Wesloyan Sunday School In Mr'A. Elkins' admirable picnic ground being near-enough to • the town to warrant a large assemblage. *

On' Boxing night tho first Wairarapa pantomipio will be put on the boards of the Theatre Eoyal by Miss Georgie Smithson,. assisted by Harry Marshall, Madame Foley, the flfesterton Amateurs, and a troupe of trained children, who will perforin some pleasing ballets.. Tho night's programme is a very, attractive one, and will form a good wind up to the day's pleasure Hoping for fine. weather and pleasant gatherings throughout the district, we take this opportunity of wishing one and all " A Merry Christmas.",.