CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 December 1916, Page 5

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

LARGE CROWDS IN TOWN Business very brisk. _ The spirit of Chvistma-i and the holidays was in evidence on Saturday, which was observed as Christmas Eve. Large holiday crowds thronged the streets throughout the day. the evening the crowd assumed very large proportions. Fine weather prevailed all day, although in the afternoon it became rather too warm to be comfortable. In the kaleidoscope of colo., kl.aki was a very notifiable neatiVT, the large number of men on leave printing a fine appoarance, with the;.-- soldierly bearing and bronzed face... The throng of children, win were among the most eager purchaser* in the town, was also very striking. Very brisk business was done (:. all the retail concern?, it bring stated by prominent shopkeepers tiiat the business this Christmas exceeded that oi previous years

There was a larjrc, influx of visitors into the town on Saturday, and ,lie trains running between Hawera and New Plymouth carried their full complement of passeupers. A number of Wanganui residents are also spanning the holiday season in \Yiv Plymouth. The races unquestionably influenced the traffic, and the large number ot torseboxes that were attached to each train no doubt had an fleet on the sei'ice. On Saturday ons o: the largest, crowds known to travel on the Wangaiiui-Xew Plymouth section arrived by the mail train. There were sixteen carriages and coaches, and it is < stimated the passengers numbered over 500. The train arrived an hour late, and the station presented a lively fcene. The crowds in the streets on Saturday evening were very orderly. Very few instances of insobriety were noticeable, and throughout the season there were no admissions to the lock-up.

The traffic was well conducted, enly one mishap occurring. A lady wits kfiocked down by a motor-car at the corner of Devon and Currie Streets by a motor-car. Fortunately, she was not injured.

A very quiet day was spent on Sunday.) Early in the a'ternoon it vained, and the atmosphere was humid and oppressive. The attendance at Pukekura Park, where the Citizens' Band played an acceptable programme, was small.

■ The weather was perfect on Christmas Day. Evidence of the deep religions feeling of the community, and of the fact that the men at the front were remembered. in the prayers of the people, was to be found in the crowded congregations that attended the early services at the churches, '.throughout the moiling the attendances at the churches were large. The beaches at Xgamotu and East End attracted throngs ol peoph, and in the afternoon hundreds of residents and visitors were to be seen bitbing. Residents had the unusual experience of being without a tram service. The tramwaymen were given a day's leave, and permission to use a car for their own pleasure. They took advantage of the Council's offer, and, with their families, they "trammed" to the Breakwater, where an enjoyable picnic was held.

The Mountain House was visiloj hy a large mimbo> yesterday, though the visitors were not quite so numerous ns usual. At present the road and track leading to the Mo'mtain House ■;* in excellent condition. Driving into the country was a pastime indulged in hy many. With the'exception of the sad downing fatality rt Fitarcy, then? wire mi accidents to mar the pleasure of • iio.-e spending the liolidtys in Xow Plymouth. The Taranaki Jockey Cub's meeting uiU be the main attraction to-day and to-n:onw, and promises to dra'.v large crowds. .