THE HOLIDAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1409, 9 April 1912, Page 5

THE HOLIDAY.

SPOILED BY RAIN,

Aflor ten days of probably tho most perfect weather that lias been cxperionceil in Wellington this year, tho break into less favourablo conditions made on .Sunday widened out yesterday into uncompromisin:,'lj' wet weather, which did much to spoil the holiday, and brought everyouo 'to tho realisation that summer is waning rapidly. All outside sports were .tcriously allectcd. Alloat there was next to nothing doing. The s.s. Maori's promised trip to J'iclon was abandoned owing to lack of patronage on the part of tho public, who doubtless inado an accurate estimate of tho weather conditions in Cook Strait, and decided that a life on tho ocean wave may very easily bo extremely uuenml'orlabic. Hundreds of picnics that were to have been held failed lo materialise, and Ihe number of tho.-o who venlured abroad by tram or ferry was extremely limited.' H was a (lull day. Thcro were somo peoplo who had a legitimate excuse to rejoice. These wero the theatre malingers, who had arranged mnlineo performances. With littlo doing outside, and rain falling <it frequent intervals, tho picture-show proprietors reaped quite a harvest from tho holiday crowds which invaded tho darkened halls, tvhero tho spirit o£ romance and adventuro holds court.

A fairly heavy contingent bent on attending tho races at Tauherinikau left by Iho early train for Featherston, and thero were a few holiday folk who wero bold enough to venture as far as such ocean-sido places as Plimmerton and Paokakariki, but tho traffic lo tho Ilutt Valley stations, usually so heavy on a holiday, was reduced to a minimum by tho weather.

The Wednesday representative cricket match between Wellington and Auckland, which was to havo commenced at 10 a.m. yesterday, had lo bo postponed until 1 p.m., and though thereafter the players clung lo tho ground, the conditions wero far from favourable to tho summer game, and tho light was indifferent. Tho following figures for yesterday's traffic nro supplied by (ho railway au-thorities-.—From Lambton Station to tho Upper Ilutt and intervening stops, 1000 passengers; to Tauherinikau, 230; to stations beyond Upper Hult (olKer than those travelling to Tauherinikau), 300; from Thorndon to Paekakariki and intervening stations, 300; beyond Paekakariki, 600. IN OTHER CITIES, (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, April 8. Auckland has never been so full of visitors at Easter as it is this year. Contrary to expectations, the weather today was fine, and largo crowds attended the races at Ellcrslio, and various picnics and excursions that had been arranged. Tho train traffic has been exceptional during the holidays. Timaru, April 8. The weather was dull, but fine, for tho holiday. Tho attractions wero tho Bicycle Club's Sports at Tcmuka and tho show at Fairlie. At- the former Christchurch cyclists wero prominent among the prize winners, Everett getting two firsts (half-milo and mile), and Hunun, Wall, and Bonis seconds. The mile scratch race resulted: Everett, 1; Wall, 2; Young, 3; O'Donoghue, 4 (tho two latter being local men). The runners were local men. A new competition in sheaftossing drew over a score of competitors, the highest toss being 19Jft. Nelson, April 8. There was fine weather for the Easter holidays. The principal feature was the annual bowling tournament, which concluded to-day, having been verv successful. _ Teams were present from Blenheim, Levin, and several Wellington clubs, besides all in tho district. Palmerston N., April 8. Thero was wet weather for the holiday. The principal attraction was Hie Caledonian sports, at which the attendance was a record. R. G. Graham won the Caledonian Cup; R. M'Kcchnie won tho silver cup and president's gold medal for most points in pipe music, and T. Jeffray won the medal for most points in dancing. W. C. Taylor won the cycling challenge cfln. In throwing the hammer, Patrick Ford broke the North Island record, throwing 98ft. llin.