THE HOLIDAY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 660, 10 November 1909, Page 3

THE HOLIDAY.

HOW THE PEOPLE SPENT IT.: / ■■/;■ ■■•.../ DULL j WEATHER., ; ' The weather for the ' King's Birthday was not'wet, and that is" all'that can bo said in its. favour. It was cold for the time of year, a stiff northerly blew all'day, and the clouds, though they rarely covered the ; whole sky, consistently, prevented the sun from brightening the grey landscape. It was 'certainly not holiday weather.' The booming of artillery at 8 o'clock was the first reminder of tho Koyni anniversary. The plans' that had been made for the, day must have been revised at many a breakfast table, but within an hour or two it began to be evident, that -a- ■ considerable number Of citizens were determined to seek pleasure out of doors, cpme what might from the lowering skies. The sea benches nnd harbour resorts, and the sylvan charms and garden attractions of the Hutt Valley were the goal of numerous-picnic parties. Many people went to Palmerston North,' where defenders of the: Empire competed in various' tritls of strength, and skill' at a military tournament. The Taratahi-Carterton races proved a strong attraction, and the pony meeting at Miramar also catered.for lovers of.the turf. : The city woap at most hours, and in most parts, a. drear?.-and deserted look, but considerable crowds collected at: the Basin Reserve, to _ witness the amateur sports and the start of the Marathon, Race to Taita ondback. Wonderland, at Miramar, was open aU day, and a good;-many people,'especially young folks, found pleasure there '■■■'■■ ' •The harbour all day was whipped by the northerly into crested waves, but nearly all the yachts were out battling with wind and water, and the Port Nicholson Yacht Club's picnic did not lack its complement of plucky or trnstful ladies. '.;.-. '■■■■' , .. .■■ .. ;• ' : : ■ The Opera.House (where the 'Anderson Dramatic Company is still in-possession) and the moving-picture exhibitions at the Theatre Royal, His Majesty's, Town Hall," and St. Ohomas s Hall supplied a pleasant ending to the day for large numbers-of patrons. . .Inquiries-and • observations go to show that the holiday , traffic on both railway lines was rather less than on the last ninth of November. About 3000 passengers went out to the suburban stations as far as Upper Hutt, and four.of five' hundred to the Wairarapa, where the; races .were the chief attraction. On the other line'-there'were about 2000 bookings to stations from'Ngaio to Paekakariki, and 500 to stations north of Paekakariki' as far as Palmerston.; ■ , : '•. ■'■.;■•■ ' • ' The city tramway, traffic'was rather light, but special services to Miramar and Karori. ap-. peared to meet a considerable demand.'

; .■■■'/• IN OTHER CENTRES. . : :'. '..'■ (By Telegraph— Press Association.) ' '■ '■-■ < ,•'-•' '■'•■'■■ Auckland,: November 9. .; The beautiful weather • which prevailed today.- was responsible 'for an exodus of people fromNthe city to the water-front, it',being , osr timated thajb close, on. 20,000 patronised the various harbour trips. , A. large., gathering .'assembled- in :the'morning to witness' the' Empire veterans''parade'.. The races' and various sports grounds werejiwell attended during' the afternoon. -The traffic, on the railways -was also very.'heavy. _-)Il great many excursionists went to , ,'.the.. Waitfckerei ■ ranges,' which were 'the scene;:of many picnics. •:' ■-> .-■'■■: .'■_ .'■■ . ;. . Wanganui, November 9. / The, holiday passed off quietly in Wanganui. A strong wind blew all day, but. the various excursions were well, patronised.. . .■■■. -. •• . : •■ . , .■.;': Christchurch; November 9. ■ < ; ]?ine''weathtJT was experienced for the holiday. The principal attraction was the., Metropolitan Trottiag Club's-meeting.'at 'Addington,, which ■:wa3. , 'Very largely- attended. 'Many business places observed holiday on the Mon-daj-j and were , open"to-day, ... ;.."' .. : '.'■■. ;' •'■ •' "' Timaru,; November 9. The; weather for ' the ■ holiday was fine, but cloudyvr There' were 'no local : attractions, but tho Caledonian gathering at Pairlie attracted a laige attendance and was highly successful.