THE HOLIDAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 307, 24 December 1912, Page 5

THE HOLIDAYS.

A' BUST -SCHAS JBVJE. AIttIANGEMENTS FOB HOUD AYMAKING. The holiday stampede is in full swing to-day, the transport people and the shopkeepers striving heroically to keep thtf flood moving. 1 Appearances all point to a particularly busy time for the folk who help to get people from, one place to another, and also for those who barter Christmas cheerings, Christmas toys for younp and old, and anything else that the Yuleiade shopper may be persuaded to take in exchange for coin of the realm. Every train -from the country and every boat from the coast is arriving crowded with people from the open spaces bound for town, and with well-lined purses and a zealous determination to lighten them, while tired looking city folk are jostling for seats in their brief plight to the comparative solitudes of seaside and countryside Although the exodus of townsfolk will be very considerable, the influx from the province and other ports of New Zealand will more tban fill thei ranks, for Auckland, with its various attractions at Christmas time, is regarded as the chief holiday place of the Dominion at this season of the year. Th* principal shopping streets have been thronged all day, but thii evening Qneen Street and Karangahape Road wall be alive with the inevitable swarm of belated shoppers, and with Christmas Eve promenaders. The Railway Department are running special services to cope with the passenger traffic. This evening a train will leave at 10.40 for Rotorua, returning in time to reach town at 9 pjn. on Boxing Day. To-morrow, being CJrristmas Day, will be observed as a. seam-re-ligious festival, and morning services will be held at most of the churches. The train service will run from 7.30 ajn. till 10_!5 p-m, while the Devonport Ferry Company will run excursions to Rangitoto at 10.45 a.m. and 2.30 p_m., leaving Rangitoto at 4.30 pjn. Excursion boots win go to Orakei, Kohimaraaia, and St. Heller's at 5.45, 7.20, 9.10, 11 a_m_, 12 noon, 1.30, 2-30, 5.15, 6.15, and 11 p_m.; returning at 430, 6, and 7 p_m. Trips will be made to Lake Takapnna at 10.3© ajn. and 230 p-m., leaving the Lake at 230 p-m. and 530 pjn. The round trija, which includes Orakei, Kohiatatama, Si. Heller's Bay, end Rangitoto, win be made at 10.45 ajm., retaining to tbe wharf at 12.45 o'clock, and a± 2.30 pjn., returning to the wharf at 5-45 pjn. A boat will leave for Howick at 10 ajn., leaving Bowick at 5 pjn. The ordinary timetable of the Birkenhead, Northcote, and, Devonport services will be suspended, and more frequent trips will be run. The Takapuna ferry and tramway service will be run to-morrow as on Sundays. The Ponsonby Swimming Chib is holding a carnival in the Shelly Beach Baths tomorrow. On Christmas- night a concert will be given at the Torn Hall, and the Garrison Band will play an open-air programme in the Albert Park.

On Boxing Day the Ai_rk-_vnfl Racing Club opens its Summer Meeting with what has become now wril-known as Cup Day, while among other attractions the AJP.BJL tournament opens and continues through the week. Numetroos water excursions will claim a large share of popular . patronage, including' excursions to Kawau, Waiwera, and WaSheke, and a trip to the Great Barrier Island. Messrs. Bradney ___t__i Bmns will run. excursions to Riverhead, the Tamaki, and to the fishing grounds on Boxing Day.

On Friday and Saturday of this wee'e and Tuesday of next week tbe Auckland Trotting dub will be holding its Summer Meeting at Epsom, while "tlie Auckland Racing Club will continue its meeting on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, next week. On New Year's Day the first Plunket Shield match of the season will open at the Domain between Wellington and Auckland cricket teams. Among outside attractions the Thames Jockey Club's meeting will be held on Boxing Day and Friday, , On Saturday a regatta will be held at Russell, for which, a steamer will go from Auckland. On New Year's Day the Helensville Regatta will be held.

The Daphne for Kawau and Algie's, the Gael for Arkle's Bay and way ports, and the Taniwha for Waiwera and Grutfs, will all leave the Railway wharf at nine o'clock to-night.

"The Girl in the Train" Company "will bo playing at Has Majesty's Theatre throughout the holiday season, on Boxing Night the illusionist Jansen opens a season, and aU the picture theatres w3l be catering with attractive programmes. THE WEATHER. \ The following is Mr D. C Bates' weather forecast for 24 hours from nae a-m. this day: '.'South-easterly winds, moderate to strong, and veering by east to north. Increasing haze and cloudiness. Indications for change following. The barometer has a falling tendency. Sm moderate."

Mr. J. T. Stevenson, FJLAJS., advisee: "The weather conditions ik»w ehorw signs ol fair weather for the Christmas holidays, with hot day* and cool nighte."