THE HOLIDAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 302, 24 December 1907, Page 2

THE HOLIDAYS.

nei'c shall i spend the holidays s v. iui laian.iki peopic liie uuneuuj »ua IKA be oil account 01 Liu ucaiui 01 amusement, out ratner iroin Uiv ja-.: inula ui outdoor sports provided tms year ior me restive season, it will be Hard tor many to decide winch lowii or tuncuou can best supply them wnn enjoyable respite from meir everyday lauors. To-morrow is Christmas Day, the d iy of ail days when families and friends meet in social l'e-union. On Boxing Day iSew Plymouth has the Taranalu Jucucy Clubs races and tlie .New Zealand Lawn Tennis Cfl.impionsliip tournament. Por Uie races there are fair fields, and every arrangement lias been made lor tue convenience and comfort of patrons. .Jlessrs xNeylor and Spriggings' lotalisalor will be on the ground. The Military Baud will be on the lawn, and provide music throughout the day. The tennis tournament eventuates On the New Plymouth Club's courts in Vivian street. As the events are all for Dominion championships, the best players in New Zealand are the competitors and lovers of the game should be in for an enjoyable time. Special accommodation has been provided for the spectators and the competitors, and the committee is leaving no stone unturnejl to have a successful meeting. The Taranalu tournament follows the New Zealand fixture on the same courts. On the Recreation Sports Ground Wangamii and Taranaki cricketers play their return match. The wicket and outfield are in splendid order for the first cricket match to be played 011 the ground, and doubtless there will be a good attendance of followers of the old game. Bowling greens, town and suburban, will claim their share of visitors. The bench, the Recreation Oounds, and the swimming baths are surs to provide enjoyment for hundreds of visitors, and the town is rapidly filling with visitors.

Numerous picnic trips to' Mount. Egmonl and other beauty spots are being arranged. The grand Catholic bazaar is to be opened in the Theatre Royal in the nfteiifion, and will continue open eaeh| afternoon and evening for a week. Oreat preparations have been made to ensure success with the Axemen's Carnival to be held at Eltham on Boxing Day and Friday. Most of the champions have already arrived, and others will arrive to-night. We regret that Miley, the Australian champion, has been unable to obtain the necessary leave of absence to allow him to come to New Zealand this year. However, his absence will not in any way prevent a record attendance this year, ns there are many other particularly brilliant axemen competing. The fact, that Dave Pretty is to attempt to break the world's record in 12-inch standing blocks will make up for the absence of Miley,

although, of course, the public would like to have seen these two champions meet. The general public may be able to form a vague idea of the number of • competitors, and contests that will bo held, from the fact. that altogeher 33(1 blocks, costing over C7O, Anil be used this year. A special train will leave New Plymouth for Eltham on Boxing Day at 0.30 a.m., Inglewood 10.32. Stratford 11.30, arriving in Eltham at 11.52. Special arrangements have also been made this year in the catering department, and patrons can rely on receiving a good luncheon on the Carnival grounds. The Ngaire Gardens have been re-modelled. and now embraces a welldesigned "Wnndciland," including waterchute. mcrrv-go-Tomid, may-pole, and games of all kinds on land and water. Splendid tearooms have also been elected on the grounds, which should be a great holiday attraction. Many pleasure seekers will no doubt spend their holidays at various of the pleasure resorts around the town, and the livery slables should be largely requisitioned. Those desiring a creditable and reliable turn-out may have their wants supplied at .Tones' Criterion Stables, or at Mr .fury's Masonic Stables adjoining the Presbyterian Church. The principle fixtures for New Year's Day are:—Opening the Uecreation Sports (Iround at New Plymouth, sports and novelty carnival: Kfntford 'Racing Club's races at Stratford: Tarata races at Tarata: Caledonian sports at Haivera, and sports at Ttahotn.