FINE, COOL EASTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 78, 3 April 1926, Page 11

FINE, COOL EASTER.

LAST OF SUMMER HOLIDAYS. A QUIET GOOD FRIDAY. MANY ATTRACTIONS FOR TO-DAY. There is always more or less speculation about the weather in a late Easter. This year, in spite of gloomy skies and prognostications earlier in" the week, Auckland is enjoying a singularly fine one —a fitting wind-up to the holiday season until next summer. There were a few light showers yesterday, but not enough to mar a picnic, and the sun shone out bravely. While most of the Holy days, as distinct from holidays, have been gradually losing their significance of late j-ears, Good Friday is otill more closely respected than any other, and the number of sporting events is noticeably small. Bowlers, cricketers and some lawn tennis players made a start yesterday with their Easter fixtures, and these will be continued to-day and on Monday. " -•. Most people who go abroad will be attracted to Ellerslie, where, among other events, the very open Easter Handicap comes up for decision. Ellerslie racecourse is looking particularly well this autumn from a gardener's point of view, as well as that of the man who ie only interested in the track, and the fine weather is sure to attract a very large attendance. In addition to the cricket, bowling, lawn tennis and other summer games, there will be golf fixtures at both Middlemore and Titirangi. The Auckland Mounted Rifle Regiment, which has been in camp at Epsom for nine days, is holding a tournament at the show grounds. A reminder that winter is not far behind Easter is the Association football match in the Domain lietween Auckland and Wellington V.M.C.A. teams. A sports meeting will take place this evening at Blandford Park. Water excursions are naturally not as well patronised at Easter as they are in the warmer summer months, and this year the uncertainty of the weather on the eve of the holiday was an added deterrent. Still, there were a fair number of people afloat yesterday, and the beaches attracted a certain number of picnickers, but the south-west wind made bathing a rather chilly business. Except some of the shops that deal in perishable foodstuffs, some sweet shops and tobacconists. Auckland business people are pretty generally observing a four days' close holiday.

PALMERSTON'S PROGRAMME.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) PALMERSTON NORTH, this day. Excellent weather prevailed yesterday when section play in the Manawatu Bowling Centre tourney commenced, also the initial rounds of St. Andrew's Soccer football tournament. Girl Citizens' League delegates from all parts of the Dominion are holding their annual conference at Awapuni racecourse, while the Southern North Island Baptist Young Women's Bible Class are also meeting here, camping on the showgrounds. To-day the annual Easter tourney of the Manawatu Golf Club was commenced, and this afternoon athletic contests for the McVilly Shield) are taking place. The weather gives promise of continu- ; ing fine. I

SOUTHERN RAILWAY TRAFFIC.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. During Thursday and yesterday over 6500 people left Christchurch for southern stations, mostly Dunedin. Two records were established by the Railway Department, the first in sending eight expresses on Thursday, and the second, in sending 750 people on the first relief train yesterday.

PRESBYTERIAN B,C. UNION.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. ,The annual camp and Easter conference of the New Zealand Presbyterian Vcung 3len's Bible Class Union i* being held at Purau, being attended by 20(> delegates.