THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 273, 24 December 1909, Page 2

THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS. _ The present warm spell shows very little indication of 'breaking up before the holidays, and there is reason to hope line climatic conditions will rule. THE TARANAKI RACES. The Taranaki Jockey Club's L'ln'istmeeting is the principal local attraction. As notified a few <la\a ago, the Jockey Club has greatly improved the racecourse in many ways, particularly by the erection of a new stewards' sthiul, the enlargement of the ''birdcage," and the very considerable extension of the lawn, as well as other improvements for the convenience of tile public and horse-owners. There are some good fields, and the meeting should provide a couple of days' good sport for lovers of racing. Tlie 'club lias made ,i|| arrangements for tlie conduct of a successful meeting. AXEMEN'S CARNIVAL. The Axemen's Carnival at Kltham is the biggest funcliun of the kind in the i Dominion, and annually attracts liusc I crowds from far and near. This year ] the Carnival promises ns ..rood sport a> ever, and axemen of world-wide repute aiv competing in the world's championship. \e\y Zealand eliampitinship, ami the Axemen's Cup contests. An athletic progrs:imne will be run on the adjacent sports -round in the intervals between the n emeu's events, and the competitor in.liide may athletes of the first lliglii management is in the ban.ls of tli vc:i-who have made the New Zealand Axemen's Association wlint it is, and I hey can lie depended on to make the two days' carnival interesting and enjoyable. )

CRICKET,

The Manawatu and Taranaki rep. cricket teams will meet on the Recreation Sports Ground. This is the lirst rep. match of the season, and as there are unrivalled facilities for watching the game, and the teams contain tlie best men in the respective associations, there should be a fair number of spectators. This we l|ope will be tlie ease. In addition, numerous picnics and .'xcursions have been planned, and the beach promises to attract its thousands on Hoxing Hay. Visitors from various parts of the Dominion have come-here, and are still arriving, for the Christmas holidays, and the places that charm them are the seaside and the Recreation Grounds.