THE HOLIDAY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 56, 13 April 1914, Page 7

THE HOLIDAY.

BEAUTIFUL WEATHER.

SUCCESSFUL SPORTS GATHERING.

In spite of the very unpromising Sunday evening, the weather to-day was beautifully fine, and the crowds of holi-day-makers took their pleasures under conditions which were ideal. The scene in the city for the two hours before noon was an exceedingly bright and animated one. The principal attraction was the C.J.C. meeting at Riccarton, and crowds came into the Square from all parts of the city and country. The tram service was taxed to its utmost limit of capacity, and all sorts of vehicles were seen on the road to the course. . The other events in town were the university sports, tennis tournament, bowling tournament, golf tournament, and temperance rally, each of which had its quota of supporters. In the country the Kaiapoi sports carnival took pride of place, and the special trains for that destination were liberally patronised. TRAMWAY TRAFFIC. Tramway traffic was exceptionally heavy on all lines to-day, and every man in the service was employed. The traffic to the races was in excess of the car accommodation provided, and a wait of twenty minutes resulted. Ultimately cars were diverted from the seaside lines, on which traffic had lulled a little. The tramway officials do not expect to be able to cater for all the seaside and hill' traffic between 4 and 6 p.m. The difficulty is that at this time of the season the short day induces the crowds to commence the - homeward journey about the same time, whereas in summer the traffic is distributed over a longer Say. It is not so much that the supply of rolling stock is insufficient as that the supply of men is short. The board cannot keep a staff large enough to cope.with holiday crowds, as during t.ie greater part of the year the extra men would be idle. We are informed that it is partially to meet this difficulty that certain amendments are being sought in the new award, these being so designed as to give the increased staff regular work throughout the year. XiYTTELTON. Early this morning the weather promised to be anything but fine, but by 9 a.m. the sun was shining and pleasure seekers set about catching special excursion trains and small craft. A strong wind blowing caused a good number to abandon the idea of a day's oufcing at-Port Levy, where the annual regatta is being held to-day. However, the steamer Cygnet on leaving for Port Levy had on board over 300 passengers. The small steamers Monica and Purau had full loads for Governor's Bay, and the PMau made a special trip to Diamond Harbour. The Canterbury, trading to Diamond Harbour, had full loads. Bound for Charteris Bay, the launch Matarika was well patronised by the golfing fraternity. Although many hundreds arrived by special trains, there were a goodly number left the port for town, to see the pantomime and races.

THE DAY IN WELLINGTON. The weather for the holiday. is uncertain. The early morning was fine, but drizzling rain fell at 11 o 'clock, and at noon- the outlook was not promising. . The cricket match Christehureh v. Wellington, the races at Tauherenikau, and the Picton excursion are the chief attractions.'