THE HOLIDAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1919, Page 5

THE HOLIDAYS.

ATTRACTIONS OF TARANAKI. LARGE NUMBER OF j/ISITOBS. RECORD SHOPPING BUSINESS.

The beauties with which nature bat endowed the district of Taranaki genii* ally, and New Plymouth in paitunltiV are amongst the great assets of thf place, and particularly at the pretest season of the year. Above every other claim there is ty the attention of the tourist and vbitoijj there is Mount Egmodt, with its aver lingering lure not only to those front outside districts, but perhaps is just as strong a degree to those too live be* neath its shadow. For those who lov# the exhilaration of mountain cumbinf its slopes offer, easy ascent tp the ethereal heights and the realms of the eternal snows, while others, to whom th§ flora of New Zealand affords engrossmeat, will find splendid scope for further recuperative investigation, and those who want merely the pleasure oft dAX in the bußh or by mountain streimlw and cascade can find fulness of delighti along the many walks which radiiit# from the Hostelries on either side of the mountain. The North Egmont Hostelry is within easy reach from New Plymouth, while the Dawßon Falls House if easily accessible from the Stratford side. The Mokau River, though not so close to any of the Taranaki towns, is nevertheless rich in' scenic beauties, and offers ample delights which more than repay what seems the inconvenience of getting there. River sport is plentiful, and restful recreation is to be found beside its banks and in the beautiful stretches of bush which fringe the water's edge.

JTgaere Gardens are amongst the moat easily rebelled pieknicking grounds ia the province, and are every year becozn> ing increasingly popular. The present owners have done much to enhance the beauty of these grounds, and alio add to the facilities for the enjoyment, of a good day's pleasure by those who jmU ronise them. Special novelties are announced for the holiday seam. NEW PLYMOUTH ATTRACTIONS. New Plymouth is perhaps toots richly favored in respect to attractive felsoes for holiday-makers than aay town fc the province. There is a wealth of public parks of which the community has every reason to be proud, and vrhldi aCs alt worth while any visitor seeing. Pukekura Park is probably the finest of its kind in the Dominion, and then is every prospect of it being greatly improved In the immediate future. Western Park has not been made quite so modi of as its older rival, but it has claims that cannot be ignored. The panoramic view that is to be had from the summit of the hill is one of the best and most comprehensive in the locality. Another aplen* did view is to be had from Hill. The foreshore reserves, at Ngamotu, Kawaroa, and East End, uso afford distinctive attractions to visitors. There are also several private citizens wliose properties include beautiful pieces of native bush, and who allow visitors free access to these at any time. The chief of these are Messrs. Sole Bros* '"Aotea" property, Avenue Road, and Mr. J. H. Frethey's, at Frankleigh Park. There are several other garden* ia dote proximity to town to which access may be easily obtained.

ACCOMMODATION TAXED. Unfortunately, N®w Plymouth, •» almost every other place in the Dominion at the present time, lacks the necessity accommodation for all the visitors who desire to spend a holiday here. Hotel accommodation is unobtainable, and those who have not taken the precau-' tion to book in advance will have little chance of finding "where to lay their haids." All the room available l is booked until about the middle of the month. In respect to the seaside hansel, these have been requisitioned to ease the gotaeral position jb regard to house accommodation and there are yery few indeed available to visitors, and request* from all over the Dominion have had to he declined. The band which is coming from Wanganui to play at the Ngamottt Seaside Carnival on New Year's Day, i has had to be accommodated in one of the local halls by means of fairing stretchers. The accommodation at the ! North Egmont Hostelry is fully taxed! over the holidays, and well oa .into! January. CHRISTMAS TRADE. Prom a general point of view, the holiday business in the Bhops appears' to have been well up to, and in many i 'cases iu. excess of, previous years. Most | of the 'business people report splendid sales up to the present, and with two days still to go before the, Christmas] shopping is completed, they feel justified in looking forward tg record business. In several cases a News representative > was informed that last Saturday was >. the best pre-Christmas Saturday that i had ever been experienced, while other business men have said if they conld have got the gopds to their premises the sales would hare been probably 25 per cent, greater. The toy business has been particularly brisk, and many toys are somewhat cheaper than they were. last Christmas. AH tradesmen state that money is very plentiful, and people are spending freely. HOLIDAY FIXTURES.

Amongst the chief fixtures for the holiday season are the Taranaki Jockey Club's Christmas meeting on the 26tn and 27th inst., the Stratford Basing Club's meeting on January 1 and 2, Seaside Galas at Ngamotu on January 1, and at East End on January 2. 'The Wanganui Band give a Tecital at the Empire Theatre on New Year's night," and tho picture palaces offer special holiday programme attractions throughout the season. The'usual New Year howling tournament will be held on the iown greens, and on the 30th and 31st December the local cricket representative! are to play the Nomads.

FRUIT FOR CHRISTMAS. There is every prospect that fruit will be very dear this Christmas season. Indeed, it is expensive now, and there i» scarcely any human likelihood that the '■'« prices will go down before the New 1" Year. This condition of things is caused by two things. The first is the Very great demand that comes this mas and New Year season, and t&# ' other lies in the fact that the otttopt > !of apples and other linos is rather Üb» I this season, and cannot be expected Sn bulk before about the second week la January. Supplies of most fruits ftfo year are rather less than usual are in good supply, but prices MW firm. Strawberries arrived from land yesterday and a further * fc> r¥Hfr will arrive to-morrow. The t Jn; price ranges from 1/fl to 1/& -■ Oranges and pi4«„ftre.