CROWDS AT HAMILTON

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 544, 22 December 1928, Page 7

CROWDS AT HAMILTON

COUNTRY COMES TO TOWN RETAILERS DO BRISK TRADE (From Our Ovm Correspondent) HAMILTON, Friday. Thousands thronged Victoria Street this evening, when the Christmas shopping rush reached its height. All day there was a steady influx from the country districts until at 7 o’clock there was no further parking space for cars on both sides of the road in the shop area. Retailers report a brisk trade, the sales in some cases exceeding past records. One businessman said his experience showed that gift-hunters appeared to be confining their purchases to small articles. All the stores wear a festive aspect, and the crowds last night are hardly likely to be increased on Christmas Eve. On that night the two bridges will be festooned with multi-coloured lights for the first time, and should prove a great attraction to train passengers in particular. . While there will be a general exodus of residents from Hamilton, the percentage of tourists and visitors stopping here over the holidays will be greater than in previous years, according to reports from various accommodation houses. The fact that Hamilton is the centre and natural starting point for innumerable beauty spots will in any case result in the arrival of hundreds of temporary strangers. The annual tournament of the South Auckland Bowlifig Centre, opening on the Hamilton Club’s greens on Boxing Day, will draw' follow T ers of the sporr from all parts of the province. Over 1,000 delegates from all parts of New' Zealand are expected at the annual conference of Presbyterian Bible Class Unions to be held here commencing on December 27, and extending to January 3. This will be one of the most important Christian events yet held in the Waikato, many notable lecturers and ministers attending. Cambridge will be the venue of the annual convention of the United Christian Movement.