THE HOLIDAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 January 1922, Page 4

THE HOLIDAYS.

KAIN SPOILS OUTDOOR FIXTURES. PASSING OF THE OLD YEAR. Rainy conditions on New Year’s Eve interfered with the assembling of people outdoors, but there was a large crowd in Devon Street., though for the most part they were compelled to shelter beneath verandahs. This made movement for pedestrians difficult, until the weather conditions caused a general drift homeward.

The prevailing sentiment which attaches to the passing of the Old Year, however, prompted a good number of people to gather at the post office towards midnight. The New Year was hailed with some enthusiasm in spite of the bad weather, and the strains of Auld Lang Syne played by the regimental band were mingled with cheers and a display by the light-hearted people who had possessed themselves with “squeakers” and confetti. It was not long before the street was emptied, as the night was too rough to permit of any further celebration of the New Year—at anyrate not out of doors. Police reports indicate that everything was very orderly throughout, and there were no arrests.

Yesterday broke dull but fine after intermittent rain on Sunday. A large number proceeded from New Plymouth to the Stratford races, all trains being full. The mail train consisted of ten cars, the total number of passengers being about 400, many of whom were bound for the races. The ordinary tram at 7.45 carried about 500 and n the .special at 8.45 there was a further crowd of between three and four hundred. Inward traffic was also heavy, there being many visitors to the beaches, though the number who came by train was Jes§ than last year. The seaside picnics at Ngamotu and East End drew large attendances, but the day was unfortunately cut short by heavy showers which came on about three o’ck>ck. A heavy atmosphere had prevailed and the downpour was heralded by overhanging black clouds from the north. This sign caused an early move towards home, bdt picnickers were overtaken by the weather, causing a general rush on the tram service, the cars carrying packed loads for about an hour. The tramways staff worked whole-heartedly to cope with the rush. The weather again cleared about four o’clock.