NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 157, 31 December 1931, Page 8

NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS

OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS

Outdoor attractions arranged for the New Year holidays are many and varied. Ono of the principal events will be tlio Plunket Shield cricket match, which is. to commence at the Basin Reserve to-morrow morning between Canterbury (the holders) and Wellington. Both have won their first engagements of the season, and some interesting and high-class cricket is expected. At the Kilbirnie Speedway on Saturday night, American, English, Australian and New Zealand riders will meet in a series of international match races, which aro expected to provide many thrills. Attempts will also bo made on the track record. ; The Wairarapa Racing Club's meeting at Tauhercnikau, to-morrow and Saturday, will no doubt be patronised by many Wellington racegoers. Train arrangements are advertised. To-night another of the popular "joy nights" will take place at the Town Hall, with dancing from 8 till 2, and a grand gala carnival in aid of the Mayor's unemployment fund will bo held at the Basin Reserve, lasting from 8 till 12.30. Bands, Maori entertainers, and community singing and dancing will be among the attractions. Cabarets and dance-halls in the city and suburbs have arranged special novelties for this evening. The New Year golf tourney at Miramar, which will commence to-morrow and conclude on 4th January, should create a good deal of public interest in view of the notable players competing. It is anticipated that the new Lyttelton ferry steamer Rangatira will be a full ship when she leaves for Picton at 8 a.m. to-morrow on a special excursion trip. At her full speod of over 20 knots the Rangatira should arrive at Pieton at about 10.30 a.m., giving those on board ample opportunity of witnessing some of the events in the Picton rowing regatta, or making a run to Blenheim by special train, or visiting beauty spots in Queen Charlotte Sound by launches. The Rangatira will leave on the return trip at 2.30 p.m., and should bo alongside the Ferry Wharf. Wellington, shortly after 5 p.m. The Wellington Municipal Tramways Band will accompany the excursion.' Bowlers will bb interested in the Hutt Valley annual tourney, which commences to-morrow at tho Petone Central and Hutt Club's greens. The athletic meeting at the Paraparaumu Domain to-morrow, commencing at 11a.m., is assured of tho usual support from Wellington enthusiasts. This gathering has taken place on New Year's Day for many years past, and always provides a pleasant day's outing in pleasant conditions. Special train arrangements are advertised. The programme is on the usual lines, and many prominent Wellington athletes will'be competing. In connection with the meeting, Harry Alpe, the well-known veteran walker, intends to walk from the G.P.0., Wellington, leaving there at 6.15 a.m., to tho Paraparaumu Domain, where he hopes to arrive at 1.49 p.m. The distance is 37 miles, and Alpe plans to cover it in 7 hours 34 minutes. "Lawn tennis followers will probably find their way to the Miramar grounds, where the Wellington championships liiro in progress. The tournament will conclude on Saturday,