CHRISTMAS DRAWS NEAR

Chronicle (Levin), 1 December 1947, Page 4

CHRISTMAS DRAWS NEAR

SHOPS PREPARING FOR RUSH With Christmas just four weeks away, Levin shops are preparing for the holiday rush. Windows are full of brightly coloured goods, aml shops are graced with tinsel and fancy decorations. Children will be better catered for this year, there being no shortage of good mechanical toys. In this section New Zealand mahe toys are very well represented. One proprietor reported that he had never seen toys of such good quality before, nor ha'd there been for many years so great a quantity. There is a good assortment of children's books, both English and American. Christmas stationery is hard to get. The post office ha's not as yet had any noticeable increase in the number of parcels sent through their services apart from the usual overseas gifts, which are sent eariier than inland packages. It is expected that inland Christmas : mail will be posted within the next fortnight. Once again stocks of clothing and accessories are in short supply. Handkerchiefs, socks, shirts and ties -do not seem to be over plentiful. Lines of slippers and shoes, for which there is usually a great demand, are in most cases fairly adequate. Enamelware, which was due in .this country. during November, will not now arrive until after Christmas. There is, however, a good supply of aluminium ware, much of which is made in New Zealand. Fancy sweets and boxes of chocolates will be in prominence this year. There are at present plenty of English cigarettes in stock, orie shop having as many as 500,000 with more expected. At this time last year matches were very hard to obtain, but it is not expected that this will happen again as there are se'veral firms manufacturing and importing this commo'dity, with the result that stocks should be ample.

Christmas decorations are more plentiful, but are a good deal more costly than prior to the war. English crockery and Ohina are among the higher pricead" artieles offered as Christmas. gifts, "-these, together with good crystal,' being Imported in fairly large quantities. For many years in short supply, solid and^iiollow rubber balls are now obtafnable and it is expected that a ready market will be foun'd for them. Watches, ringS, manicure and dressing table sets are on sale, together with some good English pewter. Supplies of wines and beverages are indefinite, but it is expected that there should be ample to carry over the festive season.