HAWKE'S BAY POPULAR WITH HOLIDAYMAKERS

Chronicle (Levin), 27 December 1946, Page 5

HAWKE'S BAY POPULAR WITH HOLIDAYMAKERS

XAPIHK, Dec. 25. Chrisfnias in Hawke's Biiy this year was notable for the reeonl influ.x of visitors, tlie lirst recordahle rain for some weeks, t sliorlage of pork, an ample stipply of cigarettes, an unjireeedented orderliness in shopping, and a merrymaker who triod to climb a pole in Hastings and broke liis ankle. Post office ligures sliow that Hawke's Bay people are posting more letters and are receiving inore telegrams this .(jhristiiias than bel'orc. A Napier puhlican produced ligures to show that tliey were drinking more iieer ( prel'erahly bottled) than hui'-"-* Hotels aml boanl-ing-liouses in Napier and Hastings are accoinmodating more visitors than at any timo previously, and eainping groiTnds in the past few davs have lieen eonverted into bustling canvas towns as hundreds of niotorists poured into the pi'ovince. The weather on Cliristmas Eve was the worst in a month, and many slioppers 111 Napier and Hastings were drenched in the morning 's heavv showers. At the same timo farmors and gardeners welcomed the rain, whieh was the first appreciable full in ,some weoks. Shopkeepers said that they were not so busy on Cliristmas Eve as in previous years, most people sproading their lmving over a week rather than partieipaling in a last-hour ,melee. A comprehofisive progi'amme to eater for all sporting tastes has been arranged for the holiday period.