NEW YEARS FESTIVITIES.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1035, 3 January 1873, Page 2

NEW YEARS FESTIVITIES.

New Tear's eve was celebrated with the usual merry making of the season, and the new year ushered in with all time honored demonstrations of peace, good will, and jubilant fraternity. The special feature of the evening was the dramatic and musical performance at the Masonic Hall, in aid of the Hospital fuuds. Coming immediately after the two concerts in aid of the churches, it might have been that the attendance would be less numerous and the monetary returns less satisfactory than before, but the good object in view, and the novelty of the promised entertainment attracted an audience crowding the Hall to overflowing. As sources of enjoyment, amusement, or improvement, amateur performances as pastimeß are ever popular. Scenic representations enlist the sympathies of an audience, and the desire to please on the part of those who strut their fretful hour upon Lue stage, is reciprocated by those who, witnessing their efforts, are equally desirous to be pleased. Hence the popularity of dramatic displays and the leniency shown to even those among amateurs who outstep the modesty of nature and allow " vaulting ambition to overleap itself." The dramatic performance on Friday may from one point of view be considered a success. Mr B. Strachan, the stage manager, had displayed no inconsiderable amount of taste, ingenuity, and untiring patience in placing the piece upon the stage. The scenery, drosses, accessories and effects, were perfect of the kind; the drama was, in technical phrase, well mounted, and Hence the general effect was good from a picturesque point of view. Of the drama itself tho less said the better. Found iu no acting edition of plays, ancient or modern, the Cuban Slave will

scarcely bear description. The set scene specially painted for the occasion, brilliant as many colored hues could make it, the rising sun, the revolving wind-null, the gaudy dresses, bright blue fire, and etceteras combined to form a good picturesque stage effect but as unlike anything on earth, the heavens above the earth, or the waters underneath, as the stagiest of stage carpenters could possiuky wish for. Still as a stage presentment it was successful. The plot and dialogue of the drama were as unreal as the sur," roundings, affording little scope for either legitimate acting or elocution, and the amateurs may be congratulated upon having achieved 'so much success with so very barren materials. Mr Strachan as a woe begone, much enduring man and brother, played the leading character assigned to him, no doubt precisely as the author of the play intended it to be ; Mr E. White, as an amiable young philanthropist in blue attire, presumedly did all he possibly could to make his part go, and was successful; Messrs Bishop Bush and Hamilton, as the three heavy villains of the piece, looked and acted ai hirsute and sanguinary stage villains are wont to do. Miss Lizzie Ward who made her. debut on this occasion, won the greater, share of genuine applause by her quiet, self possessed style of personation. The supers, so carefully disguised that their own mothers would scarcely know them, were discreetly unobtrusive, and the two ' childring' of doubtful age sex, and nationality were quite as useful and ornamental as stage juveniles usually are. The final tableau brought down the curtain with applause, and the generally expressed opinion since has been that the amateurs would do better in a more legitimate drama. The performance concluded with a musical selection, as also some step dancing and negro comicalities, by the amateurs who had appeared in the previous entertainments. Miss McDonald again giving her valuable assistance by singing a favorite ballad, wherein she was vociferously encored and received a perfect ovation of plaudits. As a means to an end, the augmentation of the Hospital Eunds, the entertainment was- a success, and manager aud performers alike have won the thanks of the public. Seeing the Old Year out and the Now Year in was duly honored with all customary convivialities, llevelry and merriment were paramount until long after daylight. Lovers of terpsichorean pleasures found ample attraction at Mr Sheaban's ' Academy,' which was crowded with visitors. Hogmanay eve was enlivened within doors by music, song, and dance, in public and private abodes, while without " Jolly Dogs" disported themselves with practical jokes aud eccentric funnimeuts. At mid-day preparations were made for the regcitto. tvuil .tj>ot.fß nn the river and a crowd of not less than 500 people assembled Wharf street to witness the aquatic exploits of the Westport watermen. The following were the events run o ft". Sailing race for licensed waterman's skiffs, course three times round to upper and lower flag boats. First prize £6, second prize £2. Three entries. Pride of Erin—G. Craddock, J. Pascoe and Maltese Joe. Unknown—T. Penniall, J Davis, E. Weir, W. Eolands. Eclipse—Stringer, Clark, Eargie, Jamieson and Bradshaw. This was a well started and contested race for the first round, but at the lower flag boat the rudder head of the Eclipse was carried away, and the race thereafter lay between the Pride and Unknown. The Pride got steadily ahead in the third ■round and rounded the upper flag boat just as the Unknown cleared the lower, coming in five minutes before the Unknown.

"Watermen's pair oared race. Once round. Frsfc prize £5, second £2. Mocking Bird —Beid and Hannah (J. Carter, coxswain.) Hose of Denmark—Larsen and Christy. (H. Bush, coxswain.) Tainar—Crowle and AVhifce. (D. M'Hugb, coxswain.) The distance in this race was reduced from three times round to once only, on account of the heavy swell in the river. The Tatnar took outside place, the Mocking Bird second, and the Rose third. The boats started in close order, and in rounding the lower flag the Tamar was first, Mocking Bird second, and Rose third, not more than two lengths intervening each boat. On passing the wharf the Taraar was six lengths ahead, and tho Mocking Bird about six lengths ahead of the Rose. By some mischance or misunderstanding tho Tamar rounded the flag on the wrong side, and was disqualified, and the crew of the Mocking Bird were declared the winners. Double Sculls Race.—Once round. First Prize £5 ; second £2.

Mocking Bird—Hannah, Christy, (J. Carter, coxwain.) Josephine licid, Bradshaw, (P. Labatt, coxwain.") Eoso of Denmark—ll. Williams, Jacobsen, (H. Bush, coxwain.) Scullers race. Once round. First prize £5, second £2. Tamar —J. Eeid. Little Eclipse-"-C. Christie. Tuna—E. Bradshaw. Zephyr—W. Hannah. This was tho exciting race of the day, and was watched with liveliest interest by the spectators. Men and boats were equally matched, but they contrived to foul at the commencement

and Eeid, getting away with a good lead, kept it until the finish.

Swimming match. Eirst prize £2, second 10s,

Geordie Gerrie, 1; Vincent, (Maltese Joe), 2; Lawrence, 3 ; The distance was once across the river and back, and the race from the start lay between the first two competitors. Lawrence making half way and then quietly giving in. Some other sports had been projected, but from the lateness of the hour, and the threatening aspect of the sky, it was considered unadvisable to prolong the programme, except that a decent looking ham suspended from the signal pole, tempted several youths to test their climbing powers in futile efforts to obtain possession. It was secured at last by some " lenry cove" who, climbing half way up, used a couple of slip knots to aid him further, and got the ham down and took it away in undisputed possession. Throughout the afternoon the Westport Baud played on board a boat on the river, and by their music aided not a little to enliven the proceedings. Giving their services on such occasions voluntarily, and without fee or reward, they deserve not only thanks but marks of substantial appreciation from the pnblic.