THE HOLIDAYS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 76, 23 December 1919, Page 5

THE HOLIDAYS

WELLINGTON UNUSUALLY GAY. Tho holidays aro upon us. Already there is that sense of pleasurable excitement in tho air born of Christmnslide— a fooling which persuades one that happiness is within one's grasp and only needs reaching for. However wrong that conclusion may bo, tho immediate pleasure in entertaining that hope cannot ho denied anyone. As a rule Wellington is not a very lively place to spend tee Christmas and New Year holidays in, as there is commonly a dearth of. events likely to interest the general public. This year, however, promises to break the spell. With tho sporting community—and all kinds of sport aro included in the term-there will be lively doings. It is a long time since Wellington has had a big athletic sports gathering such as the ono to bo held by tho Wellington Caledonian Society on the Basin Jteserve on'. Boxing Day. A record entry has been received (including sonic o"f tho finest runners, in the world), and the Highland dancing and piping promise, to eclipse anything ol the sort seen or heard in Wellington. Tennis players are piven an unusual attraction in the New Zealand Laivn Tennis Champion Tourney, to commence on the Wellington College Grounds on Boxing Day. This meeting will be followed by the "provincial championship tourney, so that during the holidays there will he a feast of big tennis. There will be a big Catholic picnic at Sentoun on Boxing Day. _ , T"'e Venetian Carnival and Seaside Gala nt Lyall Bay on January 1, 2, and 3 is likely to ;dl*ict numy thousands to the popular seaside resort. Given fine weather, there should be no doubt about the success of this venture, which ihas for its aim and object the improvement of the beach by making proner and permanent provision for the batSers along the promenade . Bowlers will have the Wellington Con tre's tourney 'to~ divert their attention from Boxing" Day until New Year's Day, and as tho entries are good it. g>oes without saying that the greens will be crowded during the festive season. Those whose fancy turns to racing may patronise the races at Palmerston North on Boxing Day, on December 27 and 29. There are also race meetings at Marton and Tnuherenikau on New Year's Day and the day following. Owing to an unavoidable set of circumstances the chief evening diversion, that of the Williamson Grand Opera Company, has been postponed until Monday next. Amateur trials will be held at the Grand Opera House on Boxing Night.