THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 304, 20 December 1912, Page 7

THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

FOLKS Oil THE MOVE. AND WHUKIi! THEY CAN GO. The bustle and general air of Yuletide anticipation, the shopping activity, and the extra comings and goings by rail and sea, have all set in on a strong tide, giving promise of a busy Christinas time for all those who help the people in one way and another to complete their manifold arrangements to spend a merry holiday themselves, and to 1 spread the joyful contagion of the season among their friends. The inauguration of the additional train services at excursion rates has resulted in a big increase of railway traffic, each outward and inward train on the Main Trunk line being heavily patronised whiie the Rotorua trains are also carrying bigger loads as each day brings Christmas nearer. As to the sea-borne traffic, the arrivals and departures of the present week from overseas probably constitute a record for the port, the three mail steamers and the Sydney boat having landed at Auckland between 900 and 1,000 passengers, and taken away about 400. Extra trips are also being run by the coastal steamers, the incoming boats from the coast ports bringing large passenger lists. The balance of movement is therefore greatly in favour of the town at present, city dwellers, eager for a draught of country and seaside air during the holidays, leaving for the most part immediately before the festive season starts. Consequently the streets for the next few days will be alive with an increasing invasion of country and outside visitors, in addition to their usual population. SOME OF THE ATTRACTIONS. The ever-recurring question, "Where to spend the holidays?" is again exercising the minds of those with a desire to participate in some of the season's attractions, whether in the whirligig of excitement offered by pleasures near home, and at one or other of the many charming resorts within reach by train and boat. Tlie Ellerelie racecourse will claim a big division of pleasure-seekers, the Auckland Racing Club's Cup and Derby me_tm£ opening on Boxing Day. and extending over fo-ur days' racing, including December 30th and January 1 and 2. being- refra.rd_d as the pieee-de-resi-tanee of holiday attractions for the Christmas and New Year. In addition the Auckland Trotting Club provides three days' racing at Epsom, beginning on the Friday following Christmas Day, and continuing on the Saturday and New Year's eve, so that lovere ■of the noble equine, and otiiers who enjoy an afternoon amid the colour and excitement peculiar to the racecourse, will have seven days to feaet their fill. For those who like to vary "racing with n trip along the Gulf, the Thames Jockey Club's summer meeting on Boxring Day and the day after offers an attractive in vitation. For visitors and townspeople who are interested in tennis, the _*atch on the Eden and Epsom lawns, between the En<rl-i_h Davis Cup winners and New Zealand's chosen, played to-morrow and Monday, promises some good catering. Cricket eit_rusi.i_ts have also something to anticipate, in the Plunket Shield match on the Domain, between the selected elevens orf Wellington and Auckland, br-ginnincr rm New Years Day. On Chri-tmas Day, the Ponsonby Swimming Club are holding a carnival in the new Shelly Eeac— bat-hs. For those who prefer the allurements of the open air in some leafy shade on one cf the multitude of bays and beoe-ies in the vlein_tv of our Nature-ble-sed city, the train, and harbour steamers afford ample means of transport, and thousands of Aucklanders will be found during the holidays hastening for the day with picnic hamper to Takapuna, St. Heller's, Motutipu, Waiheke, Rangitoto, and otheT resorts, whi'.e Waiwera, Kawau, and other beauty spots further afield will claim their quota. The various haunts about the Waita-ke-rei Ranges and on the West Coast are also becoming increasingly popular ac places for tired people to till their lunge with ozonified atmosphere, but these are . somewhat beyond the limit of the oneday trip. indoor amusements are al>o plentiful for the holidays. On Monday night "The Girl in the Train"' open* at His Majesty's Theatre; on Saturday anl Monday evenings the Northern Raxing Association's carnival will occupy the Town Hall; on Christmas n'ght a concert will take place in the Town Hall; while on Boxing Night "Jansen" opens another season of "magic" in the Town Hall. In addition to these attractions, half a score of picture theatres are all promising especially good programmes for the holiday season. POST OFFICE AR___NGEMENTS. The following arrangements will be observed in the chief post office, Auckland, during the Christinas and New Year holidays: — Wednesday, 25 th December (Christmas Day), and Ist January (New Year's Day), will be observed as close holidays. All mails will be closed on both days at 7 a.m. Loose letters for southern mails may be posted on the train up to. 9.10 p.m. on both days. Thursday, 26th December (Boxing Day), the office will be open in all branches, except money order and savings bank, from 9 a.m. to 10 a_n. Mails will close at 8 a.m. Loose letterifor Australia and Southern maite may be posted on train up to 9.10 p.m.. Street letter-boxes will be cleared at midnight on Wednesday, 25th December, Thvrsday, 26th, and Wednesday, let January. On Boxing Day one complete delivery by carrier will be made, commencing at 7.30 a.m. A delivery of town letters, registered and ordinary, will be made ove r the counter on the evening oi Tuesday, 24th and 31st December.