CHRISTMAS EVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1922, Page 5

CHRISTMAS EVE.

FINE WEATHER PROSPECTS. LARGE CROWDS IN TOWN. ACTIVITY IN THE SHOPS. MANY HOLIDAY FIXTURES. To-day is Christmas Eve, the real beginning of the festive season, and all the gladness which the occasion brings was quickened in New Plymouth yesterday by a day full of summer sunshine' Devon Street was in its gayest mood, crowded with happy holidaymakers and busy shoppers, making up a scene which spelt a Merry Christmas for all. To-night will witness the climax, and then that genial world which is made up of playgrounds will swallow up the thousands in quest of pleasure. The shops have been filled with activity for some days, and yesterday good business was reported, many noting an improvement on last. Christmas, with indications of a gradual return to the bright days before the war. The holiday attractions in Taranaki are numerous, and given a continuance of the fine weather, Christmas of 1922 should pass into the memory as a very bright one. CHRISTMAS TRADE. “SOMETHING GOOD; SOMETHING USEFUL.” BUTTER CASH TURNOVER. Frills and furbelows for the festive season and for the races, toys for the children, and the provision of the ingredients o.f the Christmas pudding, the Christmas cake, and the other dainties which burden the table on Christmas clay, have swept aside for the time being all thoughts of general elections, shipping troubles, and other mundane affairs, and left the busy shopper in a whirl of “What else have I io get?” Round the shops there is an air of much business doing, which was substantiated by the remarks of a number of retailers to a Daily News’ reporter yesterday. “As good as last year; in fact, better, and if wo keep on in the same way as wo have been doing during the week we’ll be quite satisfied,’ was the way one man put it, and his remark may be fairly said to put the position generally. Another general remark was concerning the nature of the purchases which may be summed up in: “Something useful, something good, and something not too dear.” For the father and mother, whose children ask about Santa Claus, the variety of the toys offered is much as usual, but t’:ore is a marked change in the fancy of the children. The mechanical toy is not greatly in favor, though a fair quantity of engines, motor cars, and aeroplanes of British and French make have found buyers. Japanese mechanical toys are at a dead end and cannot be sold. A casual comparison with those manufactured in Britain and France explains why. Solid wooden rocking horses have been in great demand, one retailer having disposed of three shipments during the past few days, while he has also pleased many young folk by being able to provide a large number of tricycles. THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING. The filling of the Christmas stocking can be done much more cheaply than last year, prices on an average being down by about *25 per eent., though they are still above those of the halcyon days of before the war. For the children, too, business has been brisk in the gaily colored book portraying Carlo the Dog and Ned the Ass variety, but these, in company with the more sedate, publications, have maintained last year’s prices. The practice of giving books as presents appears to be growing in favor and the demand for the latest novels for grown-ups has been strong. Boys books have also been in demand. The new frock for the summer is generally acquired some time before Christmas, but the advent of the season requires something new. and in the smaller articles of ribbons, laces, etc., the drapers report good business. For presents there is a greater demand for the smaller articles like gloves, handkerchiefs. and stockings in preference to the larger and more expensive articles, but the number of transactions may be gauged from the fact that while prices are lower than last year, it is estimated that the pash turnover of the drapers will be greater for the week than last year. This fact would also bear out the assertion of one shopkeeper that the money is better distributed. ROUND THE STORES. K The Christmas pudding and the Christmas cake arc cheaper this year. Assistants in the grocers’ shops have been kept very busy. Quite a number of lines in the way of English fancy sweets and Spanish muscatels have made their first appearance since the early days of the war, and have been much sought after. As was the case with most other retailers quite a lot of the country Christmas trade was done early in the week, but the grocers expect a rush to-day. Hams this year have been sold on order at lid per lb., while butter and eggs, which latter are. howevei. rising, have been cheaper than at Christmas last year. The wealth of picnic grounds handy to New Plymouth makes the provision of suitable picnic foodstuffs a necessity, and there have been a strong enquiry for tinned meats, fish, and tongues. The only traders who have not experienced any great rush are the jewellers, but nevertheless they record a fair share of the Christmas business, and, like the drapers, arc finding a market for the small and useful articles. Leather goods are cheaper and have sold well.

ON PLEASURE BENT. INFLUX OF HOLIDAY-MAKERS. STEADY, AVERAGE FLOW. Holiday-makers are now on the move, and, while there is a steady flow of visitors into New Plymouth and fairly large numbers of townspeople have left for other parts or are now engaged in packing the holiday portmanteau, there is no extraordinary Christmas rush.. Such was the impression gathered yesterday by a Daily News reporter who made a round of calls upon those prominently identified with the annual egress and ingress of holiday travellers. There is neither a noticeable increase nor a marked decrease in the number travelling as compared with previous A ears since the end of the war. It is just an average holiday season, and no records are likely to be broken, the principal reason for this apparently being the wave of economy that has swept over the Dominion as a whole consequent upon the recent financial stringency. This lias caused most people to think twice before spending once. “The holiday traffic is fairly heavy, but nothing out of the ordinary,” said the New Plymouth stationmaster in response to an inquiry. During the last day or two extra carriages had been attached to both outgoing and incoming mail trains. On Thursday night, for instance, the train arrived with ten carriages, this being three extra, whilst yesterday morning’s train contained the same number. An interesting feature of the holiday traffic is tluet more people are arriving at New Plymouth than departing from the town. This morning’s mail train promises to be crowded, as it was practically all booked up by midday yesterday. The installation of the new A.B. engines in the New Plymouth service has had the effect of ensuring the prompt arrival of the mail train each night despite the Christmas rush. Next week fairly heavy traffic is expected on the railways, for, in addition to race trains, many people, released from business ties to-day, will be travelling to avail themselves of the benefits of excursion fares, which are available for purchase up till January 2. OFF TO AUCKLAND.'' Many Taranaki people make an annual migration to Auckland, and, during this week, there has been a steady flow of holiday-makers northward. The Rarawa has already made two trips between New Plymouth and Onehunga this week, and will make her last trip prior to Christmas this evening. The manager of the Now Plymouth branch of the Northern Steam Ship Company stated yesterday that already 140 berths had been booked for to-night, and it was expected that, with the usual eleventh-hour passengers, the Rarawa would be nearly a full ship. The Auckland racnig carnival, ■which commences on Boxing Day, is probably the great attraction.

“Enquiries have been fairly numerous so far and we expect more during next week.” replied the secretary of the ?Tew Plymouth Tourist nd Expansion League in response to a question. The holidays really commence next week, when r large influx of visitors are expected. The enquiries are widespread, those from Wellington being numerous, whilst prospective tourists from ns far away as Dunedin have applied for information. .

The North Egmont mountain house is a strong attraction, and. as many New Plymouth people also seek relaxation on’ the slopes of Egmont for a few days or so during the Christmas and New Year holidays, the accommodation is evidently, going to bo fully taxed. Another popular attraction is the re-cently-instituted motor-service between New Plymouth and To Kuiti, over a route which embraces many scenic wonders. On the other hand, the Tourist Bureau at New Plymouth learns that a party of 39 To Kuiti residents are making the trip through to New Plymouth. ACCOMMODATING THE VISITORS. A practical phase of the good work being done by the League is exemplified by the fact that it has been instrumental in securing accommodation for numerous visitors. Some of these arrived in New Plymouth earlier in the week, and are staying in boardinghouses. but. owing to , these being al ready fully booked up from Christmas onwards, these people have had to seek fresh quarters. It is here that the League is able to be of valuable assistance by arranging private accommodation for people who otherwise might find themselves “stranded.” During the coming week the Tourist Bureau in Egmont Street will be open for a short time every morning from Boxing Day onwards to answer enquiries and direct tourists seeking information. “T can’t get one more in.” said the attendant in charge of one* hotel-regis-ter in response to an inquiry as to the tourist traffic. “Just look at this.” ho said as he showed his list of bookings.. “Every room is taken through the holiday season.’’ Much the same tale was told at other hotels and boardinghouses. Those that were not fullv hooked un at present anticipated that they would have no accommodation to spare after Christmas Day, especially in view of the race crowds during the early part of next week, and the influx of visitors between Christmas and New Year.

SHOPPING HOURS. POINTS FOR THE HOUSEWIFE. The following points in connection with shopping hours during the Christmas holidays should be remembered by the New Plymouth housewife: — To-night (Christmas Eve) all shops will bo open till 10 p.m. Grocers, drapers, clothiers —Shops will be closed on Mondav (Christmas Day) and Tuesday (Boxing Day). As regards Wednesday, retailers are at libertv to onen or close as they please, but it is understood that the majority of shops will re-open, if only for a short time in the morning. Butchers —The master butchers will close all day on Christmas Day and be open on Tuesday from 7 am. to 9 a.m., and on Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Bakers—Bakers will re-onen on Tuesday for the sale of small goods, but bread will nnt be available till Wednesday morning.

Fruiterers—Fruiterers will re-open for business on Tuesday morning.

CHRISTMAS OUT-OF-DOORS. ATTRACTIONS FOR THE HOLIDAYS. A VARIED PROGRAMME. Sunshine and fresh air are wonder-work-ing tonics, and prospects of a fine weather Christmas are running high amongst those who are looking forward with pleasure to spending the holidays out-of-doors. Taranaki this Christmas has many attractions to offer to those on pleasure bent, and the person who votes the Christmas season dull will have only h'mself to blame.

To thousands the Taranaki Jockey Club’s popular Christmas meeting, which takes place at the New Plymouth racecourse on Tuesday and Wednesday next (December 26 and 27), will make an irresistible appeal. Special trains have been arranged for both days, and, as these do not leave New Plymouth on the return journey till 6 p.m. and 6.35 p.m. respectively, patrons will be able to enjoy themselves thoroughly, free from all worry and bustle. An innovation that will be appreciated by the public is the reduction in the charges of admission this year. No stone has been left unturned to make the meeting thoroughly successful, and doubtless the Jockey Club’s picturesque grounds will wear an animated appearance on both race days. The principal cricket fixture is the match between North Taranaki and an Auckland team, which is to commence at the Boys’ High School grounds, New Plymouth, at 11 o’clock this morning, and be continued at the same hour on Monday (Christmas Day). As this is the first appearance of the representative team this season, and in view of the fact that North Taranaki has entered a challenge for the Hawke Cup, the fortunes of the local eleven will be keenly followed by all who own allegiance to. King Willow. New Plymouth’s sea beaches always prove an irresistible magnet to holidaymakers, and many visitors from inland Taranaki, as well as from the town itself, are expected to avail themselves of the opportunity of disporting themselves in the surf and bathing in the sunshine. To the tiny tots the building of sand-castles, paddling in the sea, and scampering over the rocks in themselves provide endless sources of enjoyment. The presence in port of the liner Tairoa, one of the most up-to-date merchant ships in the New Zealand service, will be an additional attraction to country visitors, besides providing a valuable object lesson of the strides the port is making. On Tuesday (Boxing Day) the Ngaere Gardens are sure to claim many picnicers. Messrs. Lester Bros., th proprietors, are justifiably proud of their picturesque and well-appointed grounds, and have laid themselves out to cater for all, and to relieve, as far as practicable, those little worries that are attendant upon the packing of the family hamper by providing everything required by “the inner man” at the gardens. Special trains have been arranged to run from New Plymouth, Stratford and Hawera to the gardens on Boxing Day. On Thursday, December 28, Taumata Park, Eltham, will be the scene of the Eltham Cycle Racing and Athletic Club’s monster sports metieng. A very attractive programme has been drawn up, which should merit the support of all lovers of ‘ healthy sport. Private excursion parties, especially to the mountain, always feature largely in the Christmas holiday programme, and indications again point to this being the case this year. The summer pastimes of tennis, bowls, fishing, etc., will also claim a large number of adherents. With every promise of a continuance of bright, sunshiny weather New Plymouth, in particular, and Taranaki, in general, has many attractions to choose from this Christmas, and there seems no cloud on the horizon to mar the enjoyment of holiday-makers.