THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3998, 28 December 1891, Page 2

THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

r CHRISTMAS EVE. The maiii thoroughfare of Mastertoi , bore an aniinsted appearance or ~ Christmas Eve, visitors being presen f from the whole of the outlying dis tricts as well as from Wellington anc other parts. Business people wer< kept very busy up till nearly tei o'clock, supplying Christmas com rnodities, when the gaß suddenly gav< out and tbey were compelled to pui up their shutters. Although th< . streets were crowded up till nearlj y midnight, there were very few demon. ' Btrations of rowdyism, and the police ' were not called upon to interfere > Shortly after twelve o'clock the aii was tilled with sweet melodies, and in several parts of the town could b( ' heard the voices of carol singers, whe heralded the approach of the festive a Christmas Day with appropriate songs. CHRISTMAS DAY which broke fine though eloudy, turned out a most enjoyable day. A pleasant breeze tempered the otherwise oppressive atmosphere, and the rays oi Phoebus were by no means piercing. The town was extremely quiet, the streets being deserted throughout the day. Special services were held in the various Churches, and by the Salvation Army, all of which were well attended. The ordinary trains were running, by which a large number of Masterton residents proceeded to Wellington. Altogether we may airly assume that the community as a whole spent a " Merry Christmas." The morning of BOXING DAY was by no means pleasant. Clouds were gathered all around, and it was 'momentarily expected that a heavy shower of rain would fall. Providence, however, smiled upon us, and the clouds retained their watery sob-a'-ance till late in the evening. Owing to the threatening nature of the weather the various picnics and sports were not patronised as they otherwise would have been. A large number of residents proceeded to Eketahuna, and others went by Hawke's drag to the Martinborough races. One of the principal attractions in Masterton was the CATHOLIC PICNIC, which was held in those pleasant grounds' known as'M'Kenzie's Bush 1 . There was a good attendance ot hotli r. i

old and young, and everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The usual guinea were indulged in, and were kept vigorously going till the dusk of evening. Refreshments were provided, which were done justice to, and altogether a very jolly day was spent. . . THE SALVATION ARMY held a picnic in Wngjey'a Bush, which was also numerously attended. Everybody was afforded an, opportunity for enjoying themselves, and the proceedings were ' diversified by musical renditions by the band. In the evening a successful "coffee supper " was held in the barracks in Dixon-street. • < MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY. The private picnic held on Boxing Day by the members of the Presbyterian Mutual Improvement Society was of an exceedingly pleasant MatAoter. The locality oh« <=en. for t» dayV outing was a picturesquei soot banks of the Ruamahunga rivftSP; , apposite the residence of Mr H. B,' Wardell. Several canoes were kindly placed at the disposal of tho pleasure seekers, which afforded many hours genuine amusement on the river. A general scramble up the adjacent hills, followed by various games peculiar to picnics, -served to complete the items of a really enjoyable holiday. WESLEYAN PICNIC. The annual picnic in connection , with the Wesleyan Sunday School proved to be a very enjoyable affair. The attendance, doubtless owing to numerous oounter attractions, was not equal to previous years. The , refreshment stall, presided over by Misßes Fellingham and Hoar, was a centre of attraction. Games ÜBual to such gatherings, suoh as rounders, ring's, cricket, etc., were indulged in, the committee working hard to ensure | the enjoyment of all. The company, dispersed about dust. "