WELLINGTON AND THE HOLIDAYS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1029, 11 April 1912, Page 3

WELLINGTON AND THE HOLIDAYS.

There was a great influx of visitors to Wellington for the Easter holidays, and consequently the takings at places of amusement, hotels, trams, etc., were considerably increased. One thing a visitor to the Empire City notices'particularly is the number of picture shows in operation, practically the whole of them doing good business. During the holidays, in addition to the usual shows —somewhere in the vicinity of a dozen—pictures were also shown at the Town Hall. It is said that the picture business is as yet in its infancy, which leads one to wonder how many shows there will be in Wellington when pictures are at the top of their popularity. A new picture theatre is to be opened this month, and others are in the course of erection. The weather on Monday was threatening, thus preventing large numbers of pleasure - seekers who intended being absent for the day from leaving the city, and as a result the continuous picture shows, of which there are two, were full continuously from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. To get into these buildings it was a case of wait your turn : from anything from five minutes to half an hour.

The pick-pocket was also in town for the holidays, and was “plying his calling” at the Thorndon station an Easter Monday morning to good effect. One of the passengers was relieved ot his purse, containing £(> 10s, which was taken from his hip pocket.

Conferences of both the Labour and Socialistic parties were held during the holidays. The Labour Conference discussed Professor Mills’ unity scheme. The socialists were very much in evidence at street corners, but their audiences were not large, and those who were present were certainly not very sympathetic.

The special race train to Featherstou on Saturday was well patronised, extra carriages having to be put on to accommodate the crowd. On the return journey the Wauarapa Racing Club’s starter came in for some adverse criticism, and it was apparent that his dispatches did not meet with the approval of a number of those present.