SUNSHINE AND RAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 December 1922, Page 4

SUNSHINE AND RAIN.

THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. FREEDOM FROM ACCIDENT!?. The Christmas holidays in New Pljm mouth opened with rain and closed witiu rain, but there was an interlude of om| day of glorious sunshine —Cnrist’ “ jy a y—when hundreds of men, womK. and children spent the afternoon at the seaside and in the parks, while many more journeyed farther afield on picnic bent. Boxing Day arrived with a dull sky. and towards mid-day a drizzling rain set in, which continued intermittently throughout the afternoon and became steady as evening approached. A large number of people made their tc the picnic places, with which New Plymouth abounds, while the races were equally well patronised. Throughout the season the Mountair House was almost full of visitors, but the rain marred their enjoyment to « great extent. The visitors were mostly from Auckland and Wellington, while a party from Australia is looked for thia week. The fine afternoon of Christmas Day drew a large number of motorists from New Plymouth and the staff at the house was kept busy serving afternoon tea. Large crowds on holiday bent thronged the streets on Christmas Eve, and again yesterday en route to the races. The rain on Saturday night compelled pedestrians to keep to the footpaths, but owing to the vigilance of the policta apd borough official® there was no undue congestion. The improvement rh this respect was most noticeable as compared with two years ago, when the enforcement of the “move on” rule was taken up. A noticeable feature in the extension of the business area was the crowded state of the block between Liardet and Gover street, the shops hi this area appearing to receive their full share of business. The race traffic yesterday was mos: exemplary. Early in the morning cars from all quarters began to arrive and by elevon o’clock Devon Street presented a very busy scene. The arrangements made for controlling the motor traffic allowed every ear to proceed quickly and safely to the course. There were one or two humorous incidents, such as the family man who left his car in the street at the racecourse, and after the last race found that the borough inspector had exercised his right and had removed the car to a place of safety at the cost of the owner. The feelings of the owner and his tired family may be better imagined than described when it was found that the place of safety was in town, which entailed a wait of some time until the car was procured. The conduct of the crowds has been excellent, the traffic inspectors reporting smooth working and the police having a quiet day. There was no evidence of larrikinism and very little drunkenness. Only one minor accident was reported, a man sustaining slight injuries through falling from his horse in Devon Street, on Christmas Eve, owing to the breaking of the girth. ||