MILLIONS FOR PRESENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 248, 25 February 1911, Page 9

MILLIONS FOR PRESENTS.

STRIKTXG EXAMPLE OF'AMERTCVS WEALTH. Xew York, Dec-mbcr 23. Mr. V. Tlolmstnri i. GV>iel n f the Washington Bureau .i f Statistics, r.<iim:;tes thai £l!),O0O,000 will be extended by Americans en Chvi-innis pic-ent. This i'.oi's not include the amount* that will h-: distributed by financial institutions and other business lieuses to their employees. Mr. I.lolmstead further estimates that hnlf the population of America make gifts which do not cost any money. Tlie greatest number of gifts given are the gifts to the y'Hing men whose salaries are from £1.5 to £3O a month, ft is estimated that individuals with social aspirations spend on an average a pound on their presents, while those with more domestic habits spend four shillings. The jollification on the floor of the Stock Exchange which always marks Christmas began before the elote of tho business yesterday afternoon, when a grand piano was wheeled on the floot of the house. All bargains were made after that to waltz music. When the house closed 20 members, gorgeously dressed as the Kazoo Band, marched in playing instruments, with the leader made up as Sousa. Father Christmas appeared, surrounded by a bodyguard of slavei bearing salves with gifts. A party of brokers made up as negroes and danced :i cakcwalk. Some sang, others performed conjuring tricks, and nearly everybody contributed to the general merriment.