BOXING DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 306, 27 December 1926, Page 9

BOXING DAY.

GREAT CROWDS OUTDOORS. I : RACING AND CRICKET. I BEACHES WELL PATRONISED. I _____ I Torrential rain throughout the night led many people to decide to postpone contemplated outings, and as a result a 1 larger percentage than usual remained at home this Boxing Day. However. there was, after all, a great crowd ' abroad, most people being determined to chance the weather. Despite threatening .' conditions, there was no rain during the forenoon, and at times the sun shone with considerable warmth. As usual, there was a large attendance at Ellerslie for the opening cf the sum- : mer meeting of the Auckland Racing : Club, for it takes more than a little I rain to daunt patrons of "the sport of i kings." Among the racegoers were I many hundreds of visitors from all parts ;of the Dominion and from abroad, including a number of the American tourj ists from the steamer Carinthia, who • enjoyed what has been a novelty to them j since the anti-betting laws practically ■ killed horse racing in most parts of the , United States. I The prospect of sodden wickets did : not deter cricketers from taking bat and ball, for this afternoon a start was made with the annual town and country ! tournament of the Suburban Association. The tennis championships, which were to have commenced on the Stanley Street courts, were postponed, however, but will be gone on with to-morrow morning if there is no further heavy rain tonight. The bowling championships have also been postponed, much to the disappointment of players from all over the Dominion, many of whom tried to find solace at the races. Even a day's loss is a i serious matter to these visitors, and the hope is very fervently expressed by them that to-morrow morning will see the various greens in a playable condition. It was pleasing to note the optimism of the thousands who ventured across the harbour on the ferry steamers en route to the beaches, those who went by launch and car to the seashore farther afield, and those who took tram and bus to Point Chevalier, where a great crowd assembled at a comparatively early hour. The warm atmosphere encouraged bathing, and hundreds were in the water at the full noon tide. Many of the visitors at the latter point were agreeably entertained by a wireless outfit owned by a local resident, and set up at the point to provide the latest news regarding the races and whatever other matters were going. This afternoon the picture shows benefited by those people who were cautious about going far afield for fresh-air recreation, all the city houses being well patronised.

HOLIDAY ZS OTHER PARTS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.! INVERCARGILL, this day. Glorious weather is being experienced for the holiday. There was a large exodus from the town to-day, chiefly to Riverton, where a regatta is being'held, and to Gore, where trots are the attraction.

i WELLINGTON, this day. : Drizzling rain continues and promises to spoil all outdoor sports and amusements to-day. 1 Th 2 weather turned out dull but warm, with light rain. The Wellington tennis and bowling tournaments are off till the afternoon, and the Plunket Shield cricket match till noon. Later. ! The tennis tournament was eventually declared off for the day. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) ROTORUA, this day. Heavy rain fell on Sunday, but to-day it is fine, though close and "threatening." TAURANGA, this day. The weather has cleared after the week-end storm. The roads leading out of Tauranga have been badly affected by the heavy rain, though iio serious damage has been reported.