The Holidays.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2486, 28 December 1886, Page 2

The Holidays.

Blessed with Queen's weather, Masterton put on. its festive - garments and went through tho ordeal of enjoyment in truly old English style duriitg this' Christinastide. Christmas Eve saw the town decorated from end to end in every conceivable style, ferns,'flowers, evergreens, Chinese lanterns, flags, and everything attractive to the eye, being brought into requisition. Telegraph posts; lamp posts, door posts,horso posts, window sills and bars, were embellished in a style that left but one impression in the minds of the people, viz, to live for the pleasure of the hour. The town was the centre of attraction for the outside population,.great numbers of whom flocked into it, the stream commencing to roll in at midday on Friday and continued up to a late hour in the evening, giving the-streets the appearanco of bustle and oxcitement that has rarely been their lot to en joy As a natural consequence our business people gathered in their harvest, which was a much better crop than the depressed state of the country led them to anticipate, and will «o a long way to dispel the illusion that the country is 011 the verge of bankruptcy, at least in this district, The orderly conduct of the crowd was tlio subject of favorable comment, and the absence of larrikinisni speaks volumes in favor of our youths, who wero 110 doubt kept bottled up for the subsequent days bill of fare, in the shape of races, picnics, and other means of letting off their superfluous spirits, After the town began _ to quieten down, the centre of attraction was St. Patrick's Church, where the usual mid-night mass was to lie hold. The sacred edifice, which was beautifully decorated, was crowded _ from chancel to door, every available inch of room being taken up, . The choral part of the service was excellently well rendered by a ohoir under the direction of Mr Pearson, the beautiful music of the mass receiving the full benefit of careful and assiduous practice, The "Adesto Fideles'' an. arrangement by Vincent Novello, was also sung, tlio solo, duet, trio, and quartette being in the hands of Miss Dowling, Madamo Mayne, and Messrs Belty and Wiekeraon, the latter gentleman also took the solo in Gounod's " Nazareth," with which there was a full choral chorus, - The mass aud other musical arrangements were repeated at the Christmas Day service, when Father Treaoy on behalf of the Catholics of Masterton expressed thanks to Mr Pearson and his choir for rendering such excellent music, and specially thanked' that gentleman and Mr Wiekeraon for their unhesitating willingness at all times in assisting in the church ceremonies. Carol services were held in St, Matthew's Church 011 Christmas Dfty and Sunday, large congreeations being present at each service, the church being nicely decorated with flowers and leaves.--. A party ot carol singers made the town lively on Ohvistmhs Eve by perambulating tho different streets, tho music rendered by them showing that,they had evidently practised for tho occasion, The willow champions of the Fire Brigade and Volunteers tried conclusions on Christmas Day on the Park Oval, the latter scoring a victory by nine runs, Minifie proving a battery that the whole force of tho Volunteers could not effect a breach in. • , , On Sunday a German pic-111c was held in the beautiful grounds near the Waipoua Bridge, Akura, and gay times were indulged in by'all"present. Tlio usual games and frolics were enjoyed and races, tug of war, and wrestling, were carried 011 with a zest that ..showed the contestants wore 'determined for once to spend ono of their old-fashioned Sundays. Ono' ovont on tho programme was' mora than usually interesting to tho oil-lookers, though peculiarly unpleasaut to the contestants, It i?as an obstacle race, and one ot the obstacles -was the Waippua. The trousers oflhe aspirants f were ; tucked up- to their knees and'off'they went.'' The leader disappeared 'beneath the treacherous liquid, the runner-up'got stuck in a sand heap,' when the on-lookers, with a probable inquest in view, thought' it time to go to tho rescue, and-the ! would-be champions were dragged out as unceremoniously as a policeman handles a

! "luMiv (Irani;." The ovunt did not even have tho cffjcfc of O'lulim; the ardour ■] of the party, for when thu shades of t evening approached, thu g-iy and festive i scsno was clwny."' to a ci>mmi>di«iw ;rrai- 1 denco uoiir, and tlio uuiupauy enjoyed the | mazy dance till midnight, i ' 'Yesterday the air was filled witlr ! revelry, enjoyment was the order of the i day. 'From an early hour in tlw morn* ; ing the appearance of the holday-attired i pedestrian betokened that with old Sol's i atsi6*aiico a royal dry's pleasure would be the result. The day was everything that could be desired for holiday-making, sunshine and cloudy weather being blended to a degree that kept the atmosphere at a pleasant temperature, and a slight shower that fell during' the early : part of the day was sufficient as a "cooler" without creating any fear of more rain I following ' It was gratifying to notice'thai Georgio Smithson ecurod a big house for her Christmas Pantomime, which was put on the stage at, the Thoatre Royal-last evening for the first time. Tho programmo commenced with a lively comedy .entitled : " Toffins' Latch-key," in 'which Mr Marshall, of Wellington, took the leading part, being ably supported by Madamo Foley and Georgia Smithson, Ths j interval before the piece of the evening, was filled hy songs from Messrs Wickerson and Gant and Blre Foley, all of which were well . received, Mr Gant having to respond to a well deserved encoro. Tho pantomime narrated .tho old story' of Whittington and his cat; Geoi'gie Smithson impersonating the immortal Dick with her accustomed cleverness aud vivacity, aud George Ooker, junior, distinguishing himself/ by his antics as a mousekiller. Of courso the pantomime wound up with tha usual drolleries of clown, harlequin and columbine with fairies and red fire. The best points in it, perhaps, were a couple of topical songs delivered by Georgio Smithson and Mr Marshall and a bevy of girls, who appeared as an imitation volunteer corps, armed with brooms, and dustpans and also as escaped dolls from Flockton's bazaar. Georgie Smithson must be congratulated upon the skill she has displayed in working up this Christmas entertainment. The dresses and scenery wero alike good and alio spared no pains to secure the success which she fairly won.' . The Wesleyaa pic-nic in tho pleasant grounds of Sir A, Elkins was a great success, about six hundred of all ages being present, and judging by the manner in which the liberally provided refreshments were disposed of they must one and all have thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Eaces, cricket, rounder, and all games suitable for tho occasion were , organised, ' the manner in which all joined in showing that their whole souls were in the fun. Mr Pearson's- Brass Band kept tho enlivening scene going with some well played selections, and when "God save the Queen" declared that the end of the frolic had arrived, tho tired appearances of the little ones showed how thoroughly they liad entered .into the pleasures of the day, and led one to contemplate the lleetneso with which life passes when the cares and troubles of this

life are forgotten, and the business and domestic anxieties are given up .for a little rational enjoyment. Tli'a Salvation Army had their day out in a paddock kindly lent by Mr Woodroofo, but tho numerous attractions of tho day militated against the success of their gathering, which was numerically weak, though musically strong. Private picuic and other parties were to h,e seen ivending their Avaya to .quiet, rendezvous to pass the 'day. and if hiiV-' tiling waß wanted t« prove the predominant nationality of the colonials of this district, the thorough English manner, in which the' Christmas holidays of 18S6 were carried out, would be a very conclusive argumont in favor of British extraction. ■