THE HOLIDAY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18890, 4 January 1927, Page 8

THE HOLIDAY.

DULL,

COOL WEATHER.

MANY PEOPLE TRAVELLING. If the prospect of seeing the eclipsed sun through the clouds—supposing there are clouds—is no better between 5.30 and 7.30 this morning than it was all day yesterday, not many people will be tempted to rise earlier than is usual at holiday time to observe the phenomenon. The sky was overcast yesterday, but the weather was cool and pleasant. In recent years tho day following New Year's Day has been observed as a close holiday, and practically all business places wero closed yestejrday. bomo very hot weather bus been experienced in past years on this holiday, tho record standing at 94.3 degrees, the temperature recorded at the Observatory on January 3rd, 1921, which was tho last previous occasion on winch it was. divided from New Year's Day by ; a Sunday. Last year there was a biting southerly, with rain in the morning, and only a'moderate number went to the seaChristchurch streets bore a deserted appearance yesterday afternoon, trams and motors carrying largo numbers to the beaches. "Wo have had another good day.although not quite so profitable as Saturday," said Mr Frank Thompson, General Manager of the Tramways, to a reporter last evening. Just as gdod a harvest came the way of the Eailway Department, whic'h transported about 5500 people in tho morning. Doubts were expressed by an official as to whether this total had ever been previously exceeded. Special trains ran to Lyttelton, and they carried 1500 bound for the harbour resorts and the Sanders Cup trials. The Department was graced at the patronage of the special excursion to Timaiu, 900 people travelling in 19 carnages. The special train run in connexion with tho Motukarara sports earned '<SOU people, and the bookings to parfieM, where tho sports postponed from Bpxing Day were held, totalled 70. On tho two South expresses there- were BBU, and on the two for the West Const 384.

Otira Excursion. Two trains transported 1025 people from Kangiora to Otira, where the combined Friendly Societies' picnic was held. Beautiful weather was experienced, both at Arthur's Pass and Otira, but only about 150 walked the distance between the two places. In consequence they were able to tell the great majority that they had failed to see the principal attraction of the journey. About 500 travelled from Kaiapoi to Oxford, the annual picnic of the Kaiapoi Workingmens' Club taking place at Pearson Park. The two trains which ran between Greymouth and HokitiKa for the Westland. Trotting Club's Annual Meeting, transported 525 people to and from the southern town. Scarcely any delays have occurred to trains during the holidays, and it is also to the Department's credit that the period has been entirely devoid of accidonts. ' A quiet day was experienced yesterday at the Central Booking Office. Last week's holiday excursion bookings there were 181 first-class and 382 secondclass, while ordinary bookings were 244 first-class and 590 second-class. Among thoße booking at the Central Ofice ■were 140 Girl Guides, who went into camp yesterday at Qrari. _ ■ At night long queues outside the amusement theatres indicated that vacant seattf within would be difficult to find. , The Terry Service. The Maori was a full ship travelling north last night, 750 bookingß having been received by Thursday last. It is anticipated that the Wahine's accommodation will-he fully taxed to-night, when .hundreds of holiday-makers will

be.returning to their homes in the north. Every night this week the ferry steamers should be practically full. The Wahine will arrive in port this morning, with a full complement of passengers. The rush for the ladies' accommodation has been particularly noticeable to the Union Steam Ship Com-, pany'a officials. - Evidence of the popularity of a holiday across the Tasman "given by the heavy bookings by the intercolonial steamers When the Maunganui leaves Wellington for Sydney oJ Friday, she will not be far short of her full complement of passengers, but the reservations by the Ma'heno leaving Lyttelton for Melbourne BhS !nd Milford Sound on the 12th are not particularly numerous up to the present. ■