[Editor: This article, regarding the New Year celebrations in Melbourne (Victoria), was published in The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 1 January 1925.]
Welcoming the New Year.
Large crowds visit city.
Although larger crowds visited the city last night “to see the old year out” than has been the case for some years, no objectionable behaviour was noticeable.
From early in the evening hundreds of persons journeyed to the city by tram, train, and motor-’bus. Naturally only a small percentage was able to gain admittance to houses of entertainment, and the remainder was forced to linger in the streets until midnight.
At every street corner however, amusement was provided. Groups of children in fancy dress conducted impromptu concerts, and in some cases had the assistance of trained dogs, and, as an additional attraction a domestic cat in a birdcage was proudly exhibited by a small girl aged about four years, who begged for coppers from the amused crowd in return for the privilege of looking at the frightened animal.
Special reserves of police were stationed at Russell street barracks in case of emergency, but their services were not required. The only evidence of “rowdyism” was a series of false alarms received at the Eastern Hill fire station, but the firemen accepted the diversion as part of the New Year celebrations, although in no case could the alarm be disregarded.
The chief source of amusement appeared to be parading the streets and waiting impatiently for midnight. As usual crowds assembled at the Post-office, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the railway station. On the first stroke of midnight whistles were heard in the distance from ships on the men and in the bay. Drivers of trains and motor-cars also joined in the noisy “welcome” to the New Year. Those persons who had remained in the city sang songs, and in many cases, indulged in wishing one and all — even though they were entire strangers — “A Happy New Year.”
To meet the convenience of late visitors to the city special tram, train, and motor-’bus services were conducted until early this morning.
Source:
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 1 January 1925, p. 10
Editor’s notes:
motor-’bus = a motor omnibus (i.e. a bus), a motorised vehicle designed to carry a substantial number of passengers (e.g. from a dozen to a hundred), also known as a “bus”; also spelt “motorbus”
See: “Bus”, Wikipedia
motor-car = a motorised vehicle designed to carry a small number of passengers (e.g. from two to five), also known as a “car” or an “automobile”; also spelt “motorcar”
See: “Car”, Wikipedia
rowdyism = rowdy behaviour (i.e. behaviour which is boisterous; disorderly, rough, and loud)
[Editor: The original text has been separated into paragraphs.]
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