CHRISTMAS EVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 December 1939, Page 4

CHRISTMAS EVE

BEST BUSINESS FOR MANY YEARS QUEEN STREET THRONGED WITH OLD AND YOUNG. EXCELLENT TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS. Queen Street was thronged last evening with- a merry crowd of Christmas Eve shoppers and retailers appeared to . lie doing a roaring trade, in some instances it was impossible for the attendants to cope with the rush and people were collecting articles and leaving the money on the conn ter. Queen Street, given over entirely to pedestrians by the exclusion of all traffic, had an unusual aspect in some ways, owing to the absence of motor vehicles and their attendant noises. On the other hand there was a medley of squeaks, trumpetings and other exciting noises created in most cases by the younger folk. Miniature hats and other adornments were worn by both adults and children and many people had the experience of being showered with confetti. A gay spirit prevailed, the European war notwithstanding. Retailers this morning indicated in some instances that their takings had been a record. One departmental store showed an increase of 271 per cent compared with the corresponding day last year and others report the best turnover for several years. This satisfactory position appears to be more or less general, according to reports from other parts of the Wellington district.

Residents greatly appreciated the action of the borough authorities in excluding traffic from Queen Street during shopping hours on Christmas Eve. The borough inspector and assistants had a busy time enforcing the restrictions. Several cars were left in Queen Street effectively locked and braked and as the owners could not be found steps were taken to remove them yyith the aid of a break-down waggon. In at least on.e case the owner appeared when such drastic measures were at hand and not much difficulty was experienced in getting the others out of the way. "People are making free use of the railway services,” stated the Masterton Stationmaster, Mr G. H. Campbell, when interviewed this morning with regard to railway Christmas traffic. Passenger bookings this week totalled 700. Last week was not quite so good, but the position was very fair at present. The special trains had been very well patronised. During the past week 2,812 bales of wool had been handled at the station. That gave some) idea of the amount of goods handled this week, apart from extra parcels, luggage, bookings and special trains, stated Mr Campbell. The staff had .worked cheerfully and well at their arduous tasks. Although no sports gatherings are being held during the Christmas holi•days followers of summer sports are particularly well catered for in Masterton. Visitors to the town, whether they be young or old, have the choice of bowling, tennis, fishing, swimming and croquet under the most pleasant possible conditions. Followers of the good and ancient game of bowls have two beautiful greens to choose from, while tennis patrons have the choice of lawn or hard courts. The Municipal Baths and rivers call to swimming enthusiasts, while for those who prefer croquet some splendid lawns are available.