NEW YEAR'S DAY.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 908, 2 January 1872, Page 2

NEW YEAR'S DAY.

New Year's Eve was favoured with j fine bright weather, and although falling on a Sunday the streets as mid- I night approached wore a lively and ! bustling appearance. During the day j visitors commenced to flock in from ! the outlying diggings and also from j Charleston, to be present at the races the following day, and there was gene- I rally an appearance of greater liveliness than had been witnessed during the holidays. The birth of the new year was promptly recorded by the ! discharge of firearms and the simultaneous ringing ofbelsl throughout the ' town. A band of music patrolled the streets, followed by a troop of singers. The hotel bars appeared to be doing a i thriving business, and there was the usual heartiness of feeling exhibited until exhaustion sent some to their beds, while the grey dawn warned others that repose was necessary to their subsequent enjoyment. During the day there was a general observance of the holiday by the closing of places of business, and all cleared out to the races, particulars of which are reported elsewhere. All enjoyed themselves heartily, but unfortunately the weather proved a great drawback, as the rain fell in one steady downpour all the afternoon. In the evening the entertainment of the Westport Amateurs, in aid of the funds of the District Hospital, was well attended, and resulted in a considerable sum being added to the receipts of the institution. The amateurs acquitted themselves admirably, and were very warmly received. A mere detailed notice of the performance must stand over until a future issue.