ROTORUA TOPICS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 550, 31 December 1928, Page 14

ROTORUA TOPICS

XMAS CAROLS IN THE RAIN Strong wind and heavy ram was experienced by the visitors art the Rotorua camping grounds on Friday. The various tents proved equal to the occasion and kept the inmates dry. Notwithstanding the general state of the weather small parties were organised, and with gramophones, guitars, banjos, ukuleles, the time passed away quickly. There were 30 new arrivals and 40 departures, leaving approximately 280 cars still in camp and some 800 men, women and children.

The Devon Street Choir sang carols on Christmas Eve. The party arrived in Rotorua iri a bedecked lorry and the singers were garbed in ruffles, frills and fancy hats. After visiting the King George V. Hospital and going through the various wards, the choir sang carols throughout the town. Several of the oldtime Christmas hymns, and also some hew items prepared for the occasion were given. A collection was made to buy Christmas cheer for the needy.

The open season for deer-stalking in the Rotorua Acclimatisation district will run as follows:—Rotoiti-Okareka red deer herd area: March 26 to April 26, 1929, Mahia Peninsula: March 1 to March 31, 1929. Waikaremoana area: March 26 to April 26, 1929. Tokaanu area: March 26 to April 30, 1929. Whakatane area: March 26 to April 26, 1929. Galatea and Taupo areas: March 26 to April 26. All dates are inclusive.

The telegraphic work at the post office was most strenuous on Christmas Eve. The following are the figures, with last year’s in parentheses. No less than 1,261 (968) messages were forwarded; 932 (1,196) transmitted, and 1,151 (1,018) received; 560 telegrams were delivered on Christmas morning. Work in all branches showed an increase over last year; 777 parcels were delivered by special messenger service during the holidays before Christmas Day, besides hundreds of packets.