The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1928. THE HOLIDAYS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1928. THE HOLIDAYS.

Tin-: long vacation marking the period of the Christmas and New Year holidays. will-end to-day. The holidays have been remarkable for the wonderful spell of good seasonable weather experienced. a matter which contributes so markedly to the .success ot all outdoor gatherings. The Coast makes this season of the year a .special holiday period, and the principal features are the sporting attractions in connection with racing and trotting. Ihe.se fixtures have passed oil' well. Ihe attendance did not appear much curtailed hut there was rather less money in circulation judging by tlie totalisator turn over. That, however, does not mean necessarily a shortage. Probably there was more thrift displayed. With the lesson of the past year in mind, folk were- a little mare' earelul, and

money was not spent as freely as usual in a speculative way. In other channels such as business and pleasure ‘-icing, there did not. appear the same curtailment. The shops were well patronised over the Christmas trade, and nil functions and special gatherings were well patronised by sight seers on enjoyment bent. In particular motoring appears to have taken on a special vogue. This is not a cheap form of amusement when indulged in merely for pleasure, yet motoring was very largely utilised for getting about the countrv or in transit to different cen-

tres where sporting attractions were being held. At any race or trotting meeting for instance there was always to be seen a remarkable assembly of

motor vehicles, indicating how many hundreds of people now patronise that class of conveyance in preference to the railways. The facility with which motor transport is brought into requisition on such occasions, suggests a degree of average opulence not notable a few years ago. It is one of the factors which emphasise the difference in the times in more ways than one. and suggests that if the past year were a dull one, it was not a profitless one. As one of iho signs of the times, it suggests hope for the future that this year is not being entered upon in any depressed spirit by reason of any special stringency. With this week-end, the holidays terminate and work and production begin in earnest'in the coming week The recreation and play of the past fortnight will have fortified all for the coming period, and folk will enter upon it more or less light-heart-ed, and with volatile spirits should with the improving prospects ahead enjoy something of a prosperous year. The year ahead is being looked forward to very hopefully, and we hope the most sanguine expectations will he realised for the mutual benefit of all concerned.