TRAFFIC CRUSH

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 834, 30 November 1929, Page 5

TRAFFIC CRUSH

Santa Claus Stages Entrance TREMENDOUS WELCOME Christmas descended upon Auckland | with a rush yesterday afternoon. It descended complete with a genial Santa Claus, a retinue of attractive fairies, a decorated coach, a blare of trumpets, a traffic jam and with a tremendous welcome from thousands of the public. A procession—a triumph for Santa Claus—was conducted by George Court and Sons, Limited, through the main business thoroughfares of the City to the firm’s premises in Karangahapc Road. There, Santa Claus was led with much pomp into “Wonderland.' his castle, on the third floor —a palace replete with sources of gifts for the ' children of Auckland. For hours before the arrival of Father Christmas in a decorated carriage people packed pavements and safety zones in the vicinity of the intersection of Karangahape Road and Pitt Street. Rows of mothers and children occupied the complete breadth of the footpaths. There was a complete traffic jam as Father Christmas entered Karangahape Road, after attracting an enormous following en route from Queen Street. Trams and motor traffic were delayed in long lines by the press of people. Four dapple grey horses, gaily decked, drew the benevolent Santa Claus through the lanes of the people. TRUE-TO-TYPE COACHMAN On the platform of the carriage were six fairies, wands in hand, surrounding Father Christmas, who was seated on a silver throne. The coachman was what a coachman should be. He wore a three-cornered hat, a green tunic with gold braid, and leggings; his postillion had a powdered wig and announced Father Christmas’s arrival vigorously with soundings from a long trumpet. Thirty-five girls greeted Father Christmas’s party at the main door and escorted Santa Claus to his Wonderland. Santa Claus later reappeared to address appropriate words to hundreds of enthusiastic children and then returned to hold his court. Many were unable to gain entrance owing to the phenomenal crush. Up to nine o’clock last evening, Father Christmas welcomed young Aucklanders to Wonderland. Right up till Christmas he will receive youthful visitors at George Court’s store from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, and on Fridays his court will be extended to 9 p.m. Wonderland has many delights for children. Gay music, bright lights, Decorated Christmas trees, laden with toys, a room of excellentlyarranged tableaux depicting the familiar stories of the characters of nursery rhymes—with 80-Peep, Little Boy Blue, and Jack and Jill prominent—and a highly attractive “Zoo” of mechanical moving animals are the principal attractions. Children gain information and entertainment in Wonderland. They stare wide-eyed at its dazzling munificence! Admission, 6d, entitles everyone, to a 6d gift, and Father Christmas gives every child a free balloon! Above it all is the vast value of the presence of Santa Claus*