When the Tyranny of Wheels Failed

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 236, 24 December 1927, Page 26

When the Tyranny of Wheels Failed

CITY’S XMAS EVE TRANSFORMATION IN QUEEN STREET Relieved from the tyranny of wheels, the people of Auckland converted Queen Street into one big side-walk last night. Between Wellesley Street and Custom Street the crowd swamped along between the buildings, completely covering the roadway. Carnival was doing his best to rouse the lethargic temperament of the New Zealander and make him strangle the conventions with streamers and smother Mother Grundy with confetti. But the units of the crowds for the most part kept on in peace, rapidly making themselves into beasts of burden, and shepherding the young past the lures of white-bearded gentlemen in red coats.

A strange noise rose from the throng; a combination of shuffling of thousands of feet, with the insistent blare of loud speakers and gramophones, and the melancholy wail of the tin trumpet. But there were none of the crackers which make Christmas Eve a terror in southern cities. Everyone was on best behaviour, except for a bunch or two of youths who, having drowned their self-consciousness in fiery liquors, were intent on being recognised as riotous revellers. MAGIC CHANGE At 10 o’clock there was a magic change. As the clocks finished striking the 12 traffic inspectors who had held their gloves against traffic stood aside and the motors and trams descended upon Queen Street like marauding wolves. The sheep, timid at the first sound of a motor-horn, fled precipitately to the comparative safety of the footpaths. It was an amazing transformation. One minute the people had established a commonwealth of peace and goodwill, and the next, the cars darting from every side-street and alley, had raised the old dissentions and trouble and renewed the menace of the wheel. While Queen Street was blocked the tram services were slightly disorganised, but they made an excellent recovery after 10 o’clock, and were little behind schedule in taking the thousands to their homes. Though the shoppers had another chance this morning to make their Christmas purchases, the shops did good trade last evening, the most popular places being the tobacconist, jewellers, booksellers and stationers, music-deal-ers, fancy-goods dealers and confectioners.