YULETIDE

Evening Star, Issue 20058, 26 December 1928, Page 4

YULETIDE

BIG CROWDS IN CITY CHRISTMAS WET, BUT WARM As a prelude to the quietness of tho holiday season, Dunedin struck a high note of carnival on Monday. In the afternoon thousands thronged the streets and the shops, which had expected a slacker time than unalon Christmas Eve, following the Friday nigt shoping had an exceptionally busy time. It was a day out lor thousands of families, and at the tea, hour the people had to wait long periods before obtaining seating accommodation in the restaurants. At night nearly all Dunedin came to town. From shortly after (i every car and bus from the suburb brought its load, and the suburban trains were packed. Progress for the shoppers was .slow. They bad lo force their way along the streets, and in many of Ihe shops it was a case ol lighting lor a position before the counters. The crowds wore very orderly, and (he warnings against the setting oil or fireworks in the thoroughfares wero closely observed. 'The only limit to bn found with the crowds was their jaywalking, hundreds walking along tho centre of the roads and impeding tho progress of trams and motor cars, which travelled slowly along Princes and George streets. ' After II the crowds began to thin. The weather .had been perfect, and tho spirit ol carnival had made Christmas Eve a happy one. Christmas Day broke with an overeast sky. and the only glimpse of (ho sun all day was before (i a.m. Rain commenced to fall about midday, but- by that time most ol the holiday makers were already well on their jonrnies. Along the North and South roads there was a constant stream of traffic from an early hour, and despite the rain in the afternoon many visitors and 'citizens went motoring. The indications this morning were lor a line day. The attractions for Boxing Day are many. The fixture with (he widest appeal is Ihe opening day of the -Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring meeting at Wingatni, while the regattas at Macandrew Bay and Karitanc also attracted many visitors. The cricket "fans” attended the Otago B-Sontl: land cricket match at Carishrook.