CHRISTMAS IN AUCKLAND.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 697, 23 December 1909, Page 4

CHRISTMAS IN AUCKLAND.

, ; -■.; BUSINESS SATISFACTORY. ; ' (By Toleßraph.-SDeclal-OorresptnilenU; ; '/-. ■'',:[■■"' Auckland, December 21. • A 'goo.d ;many;>visitors arrived in Auck- : land from the country, and the crowd in .Queen , Street is'on , the whole,a holiday one ■possessed with tho idea of enjoying-itself and ncquiring : sonio of the many tempting articles which in the shop windows. In consequence'business is , good; in fact, shopkeepers report that it-is of an unexpected and very satisfactory volume; ' One. , leading firm' of drapers states , that'from "early in the morning the counters are crowded, and the; assist-ants-at times are barely able; to ;copo with the rush.' Generally,-, shopkeepers found yesterday; •'t-he , best day of the Christmas; season' To-day the .rush'.was maintained, hnd it: is 'expected • that' the '.. volume of' business -will •'steadily increase for. the '■ of' the. week."' The approach of Christmas', week , was ■viewed with, trepidation by-a good'many~bus]H ness moh who foarert that 'it'would not: be so good for tlioir banking account as usual. ing tho last few. mouths, however, money has gradually become freer, and tho success which' has attended the great majority of agricul-' tuTists this season has .been reflected in the .orders of those firms doing a country business. Christmas trade in the city is almost confined 'to the week, but the brisk buying 'indicates that the city business .will, be as..satisfactory as the "country. ■, Tho "general. expectation now is that'the Christmas' trade will bo up to the average of last year, which was particularly good. Somo retailers- say that tho business done for: the whole of 1909. will hardly equal that done in 1908, owing to the' temporary dulness in the .winter, but comparing ':. the;. two Christmas weeks : this yerir. will' hold, its■ own with last. A considerable 'number:.of people reached Auckland by the.coastal.steamers yes-, .terday, and a large number by , train; both espressos from.the south being well.patronised.