EXIT THE OLD YEAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 January 1921, Page 8

EXIT THE OLD YEAR.

HOW 1921 WAS WELCOMED. THOUSANDS OF HOLIDAY-MAKERS. New Year’s Eve saw a very large crowd gathered in New Plymouth, pleasure-seekers journeying in by motor and tram till the streets were thronged. Although shopkeepers did a good trade, business was not on a par with Christinas Eve, as the crowd seemed to be more concerned with making a holiday than spending money. Towards eleven o’clock the crowd thinned out, but quite a number remained strolling up and down the thoroughfares. Bands of revellers were formed and a multitude of weird noises was produced from countless “squeakers” and whistles. It was a very orderly crowd, which added to the pleasure of the occasion, and the fun increased towards midnight. Scotchmen were fully aware of their responsibility in keeping up the national holiday appropriately. A solitary piper from a hotel balcony dispensed pipe music, and his efforts tended to enliven the proceedings. * Towards midnight numbers began to assemble in the vicinity of the Post Office with on the clock, and as the i hands pointed towards the hour there Was a general display of jubilation and ' 1921 was ushered in amidst the din of ; miniature jazz bands, and solo efforts i on the part of the many who possessed • tin trumpets and other noise producing [ toys. A cornet player filled the ah’ ■ with the strains of “Auld Lang Syne,” ■ some of the crowd joining in the song, ; while the members of a professional theatrical company were the mainstay of another group of revellers, and sang a number of items with good effect. A had a fair following, but soon the crowd began to drift. The whistles of ; railway engines added to the din at twelve o’clock. :

Before half-past twelve the streets were pretty well cleared-and 1921 quietly entered on its career, so noisily heralded. Perhaps many wondered what fate the New Year would hold, and looked forward with hope to a time of quiet, steady industry, and prosperity for the province and the Dominion*. A day of brilliant sunshine on January 1 saw holiday fixtures largely patronised everywhere. The railway authorities report heavy traffic, while motorists had the most favorable weather and were out in thousands. At the Stratford Racing Club’s annual meeting over ten thousand people paid for admission. From New Plymouth there were over 7000 passengers by rail, and big complements joined at the various stations, the trains being fully laden when the destination was reached. The crowd at the annual picnic on Ngamotu beach was in the vicinity of eight or nine thousand persons. Over three thousand adults paid for admission, and this did not represent all who were gathered along the foreshore, while |he children were admitted free and were present in thousands. It was a big gala day for the young folk, who had a royal time. The visitors who came by train from other parts of the province numbered between three and four hundred, the morning train being largely availed of. About one hundred people journeyed from New Plymouth to a picnic at Lepperton, under the auspices of the Salvation Army, and the Hawera and Stratford corps were also represented. Twenty-six rinks were engaged in . the bowling tournament on New Plymouth greens. For many picnic parties organised the mountain was a favorite resort, while there were large crowds at the Ngaere Gardens. Yesterday there were big crowds of surfbathers at Ngamotu and East 12nd beaches.