CHRISTMAS BUSINESS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2651, 23 December 1915, Page 9

CHRISTMAS BUSINESS

"AS GOOD AS LAST YEAR'!

TRADESPEOPLE OPTIMISTIC

'Somo inquiries were made at random, along tho main business thoroughfares of tlie City yesterday to ascertain, appioxiinately, at- ail events, the nature and extent of Christmas business during tho week. Generally speaking, the verdict of most shop-keepers was ihat business was just as good as last year. Indeed, some indicated that the position tc-day was better than it was two days before Christinas Day last year. There were those who maintained that more money is being spent this year than iast. The tendency in tho price of nearly all classes of goods was to increase. The toys that were sold this year were as a rule higher iu price, and much better in quality, than those winch came from Germany formorly, though there are still German-made toys being sold in Wellington. The price of dolls lias advanced considerably, but tlio British-made doll is worth halt'-a-dozen of the Germaii-mado article, and as a general rule is well worth the extra money. Japan has catered for the toy and fancy-goods trade heavily this year, and ""doubtless maily a Christinas present will haves. Japanese flavour, made evident in their quaint art designs and cheap workmanship. The drapers have been doing very well during the last fortnight. The broken Spring and early Summer were not conducive to the best results, but since the climatic conditions steadied a little, trade has picked up, and holds linn. In the fancy goods shops tho assistants are being kept very busy, showing the beautifully artistic offerings from France and Italy, which have an air of delicacy that German goods never suggosted. Statuettes in genuine I'arian marble of famous men and women, and beautiful models of horses, dogs, 'and cattle, show that Italy is still able to supply in miniature evidences of her former towering capacity in the sphere of sculpture. Franco cannot turn out anything that is not intrinsically beautiful. One pretty line of metal goods exhibited locally are toilet-ware, ink-stands, jewel caskets, etc., fashioned ever so daintily in the style of Louis XVI furniture. On lifting the lid of the ink-pot, a charming strain of music tinkles bewitchingly, and' only ceases when the lid is elosed.

Christmas cakes and puddings have to bo made, so the grocery stores 1 are simply hives of industry, where lio one lias hardly time to pass the time of •day. It- is tho case of "And the' next article?" from morn till night. That next article .is usually currants, sultanas, lemon peel, almonds, or some such adjunct to tho dish that makes people lazy -on Christmas afternoon. The jewellery stores are ablaze with lines suitable for presents, and a glance 'at tlie interior of two or three shops sufficed to show that a lively trade la being done. "Oh, yes, wo'ro going to have a real good Christmas!" said one beaming tradesman. "Only one thing can kill it—bad weather."