THE HOLIDAYS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXII, Issue 8257, 23 December 1911, Page 5

THE HOLIDAYS.

CHRISTMAS ONCE MORE.

The aproach of the festive season always has a happy effect upon mankind, and young and old — especially the former — make early, preparations for a time of enjoyment. While some of the old..signs of gladness were wanting to-day all that was best m. human nature appeared to be ■-'. uppermost, and probably m the truest sense Christmas Day is more honoured now than it was m earlier days when Christmas was a time of greater ,■ gaiety and outward show. ] Only at the Somerset Corner and at a shop inj Burnett Street were evergreens to be seertj- biit the shopkeepers had given much more than the . usual attention to window-dressing, and the shops presented a most attractive and .inviting; appearance. Many peope, so that they will be free on Monday to enjoy themselves picnicking or m-other respects, will observe Christmas Day oh Sunday. Monday will be a close holiday, and except for the trains passing through there will be little to disturb the, quietness of the day^ Those who wish to enjoy themselves must make their own opportunities. On Tuesday most of the business! places will re-open, but the banks, warehouses, and.„public .offices, will remain closed. On that day several important events "will take place. First the Ashburton Trotting Club will be holding a meeting on the racecourse. This will doubtless be the main attraction locally, and should be the means of causing a large 'influx of people to Ashburton for the day. On the same day the Mount Somers' races will be held, and this also should prove a great attraction for sporting people. Pleasure seekers will have yet another choice, for at Rakaia, on Monday, a sports meeting is to be held. Many picnic parties have been arranged for, and all the favourite spots for 30 miles .around will be visited by one or more. parties during the' day.' On Boxing night there will be a picture entertainment at the Theatre Royal, when a special programme' will be screened. All the trains to Ashburton to-day were crowded with passengers, and for the greater part of the time 1 a large number of people waited expectantly on the platform to welcome home old friends. It was good to witness the many happy re-unions. The town, too, told of the" festive season. There were a large number of country visitors m for the day, and the business people were kept hard at work supplying the demands for seasonable goods anu presents, and judging by the streams of people loaded with parcels continually emerging from the divers' depots of Santa Claus, that hoary old gentleman will have a busy time m calling on his wee friends on Christmas Eve. Thie Post' Office, tooj has been speedingf up all day despatching messages of cheer, of love, and of remembrances to friends m distant parts, while the number of messages to hand by:wire is equally as great. But to-night the rush will end, and all whose occupation has made it necessary for them to labour m the interests of their fellow-beings will be free to join the happy throng and sharb alike m sending and receiving glad tidings, and participate m the general joy of the universe at Yuletide. *