THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1921, Page 4

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.

GOOD TRADE IN THE SHOPS. ARRANGEMENTS FOR HOLIDAY. The approach of Christmas is reflected in a more general activity in the town, judging by the number of people in Devon Street during the last few days. According to the opinions of heads of business firms there must be a large per centage of shoppers, too, among the number in town. A retailer of men’s wear yesterday stated that his returns were quite in keeping with those of past years, and in a drapery establishment the opinion was that the volume of trade was very good, and this was borne out in other directions. Judging from the general atmosphere the businesses which deal particularly in Christmas goods were also having a busy time.

Business at the post office shows that there are fairly heavy withdrawals from the money-order branch. Telegraph work is on a par with that of - a normal Christmas. In the postal branch there has been a big call on the officials at the counter of the chief post office, a feature being the large number of books and small parcels being despatched by post. The handling of these keeps the staff busy. Evidence seems to point to the fact that Christmas cards have fallen off in favor for the number sent through the post has not so large so far. On the railways the extra volume of traffic has been met with by running extra carriages, which have been fully availed of. Passengers both inward and outward have grown in numbers during the last • week.

Shops will be open till 10 p.m. to- | morrow night (Christma.? Eve) and [there will be a cessation of business till Wednesday morning. Wednesday, however.. will be a special bank holiday. Professions which are observing longer vacations are legal offices, dentists, insurance office, warehouses, and branches of auctioneering businesses. The tramways department is running a special holiday timetable, but there will be no trams or ’buses on Christmas Day. There are a number of out-door fixtures over the holiday period in the Taranaki province. bn Monday and Tuesday the Taranaki Jockey Club races on the New PI uouth course will be the centre for a popular outing. The various beaches will no doubt provide attractions for many picnic parties should the weather be favorable. A trip to the mountain house over the holidays will also' afford a splendid outing and the various improvements made at the hostelry will enable the catering for patrons to be carried out on more complete lines than ever. The sports carnival at Eltham should draw many patrons, as an attractive programme of athletic and axemen’s events has been drawn up. Ngaere Gardens has always been the centre for many parties of holiday-makers, and the proprietors in accordance with the custom of recent years are making special preparations for Christmas and the New Year.