The Christmas Day services at St Paul's Cathedral were exceptionally well attended, the number of communicants at the four celebrations being considerably above the average for some years past.
The Rev A. C. H. Button was the celebrant at 6am, Archdeacon Gould at 7 and 8, assisted by the Revs Button and I. W. Kewley, and the Primate, assisted by the vicar, at 11am. The Primate preached to a large congregation at the 11 o'clock service, his subject being the Christmas message of ''Peace''.
The cathedral was quite full in the evening when G. Bowdler's cantata, ''The Shepherds and the Magi'' was beautifully rendered by the choir.
The church had been simply, but very tastefully decorated with white flowers and foliage and variegated grasses, by a band of skilful workers under the direction of Mrs Gibbs.
• The ideal conditions prevailing on Thursday afternoon and the lack of other forms of diversion took an exceptionally large crowd to the Botanic Gardens, where the Kaikorai Band rendered an unusually attractive programme of music.
The band was in splendid form, and those present were afforded a real treat, while the cornet playing of Mr J. Parker was a feature of the afternoon.
The selections rendered included ''Imperial Echoes'' (march), the hymn ''Christians Awake'', ''Hail, Smiling Morn'' (glee), ''Adeste Fideles'' (air varies), ''Classic Gems No. 1'' (contest selection), ''Conqueror'' (march), and the cornet solo by Mr J. Parker ''I'll Sing Thee Songs of Araby''.
A collection was taken by during the afternoon to assist in defraying the expenses of the band on its forthcoming trip to Auckland.
• The streets were thronged by large and businesslike crowds on Christmas Eve and for several hours the promenade along Princes and George Streets was briskly maintained.
A little rain fell during the evening, but it did not materially affect the crowds, who appeared, as a whole, to be remarkably well-dressed. Despite the depressing conditions that have obtained recently, everyone was in a remarkably cheerful humour, and seasonable greetings were being exchanged on all hands.
In the shops the spirit of ''Father Christmas'' was abroad, and the toy shops were crowded by young and old. As the night wore on the noise increased, and the juvenile and more venturesome element indulged in a customary practice of setting off fireworks of all descriptions, while the night was made hideous by the snort and blare of numerous instruments of weird design.
The noise was maintained well on till midnight, but after that hour it gradually subsided and people betook themselves to their homes.
• That walking has not lost its votaries (says our Wanganui correspondent) is proved by the fact six boys of the Vogeltown troop of Boy Scouts, and two boys from the Central School, New Plymouth, who are leaving for Auckland under the charge of Mr H. F. Sandford, intend to walk back to New Plymouth.
They propose to go from Auckland to Thames by boat after a week's encampment at Epsom. They will then visit the Waihi goldfields, march to Te Aroha, on to the Government farm at Ruakura; thence to Te Kuiti, Waitomo Caves, Awakine, Mokau, and so home.
The boys will take with them on the march a ''trek'' cart, made by themselves. It has four wheels and will carry all the luggage of the troop. One tent will be carried on the cart, and a second one can be formed with canvas, and the cart itself will be drawn by the boys in relays, and will carry about 200lb. Each boy will take 25lb of luggage. If necessary a boy can rest by riding in the cart. - ODT, 26.12.1913.
Copies of picture available from the ODT front office, Lower Stuart St, Dunedin, or from www.otagoimages.com
