BLUE SKIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 1, 2 January 1930, Page 5

BLUE SKIES.

SUNSHINE FOLLOWS RAIN. DEPRESSING NEW YEAR'S DAY HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS MARRED. CARNIVAL SPIRIT ABROAD. When seasons get so mixed up as they have this last month or two Aueklanders count themselves lucky to get the weather in carnival mood. So the eight of a cloudless sky first thing this morning was something to bring a thrill of pleasure to thousands. Expectations had been literally damped yesterday, and there was little consolation in the thought that up behind the cloud somewhere was an Italian blue sky and a warm sun. Even before the dawn of the New Year rain began, and 1929 passed away wet, misty, depressing. The crowd, however, refused to be depressed. When it makes up its mind to be in carnival spirit Auckland does not change its mind without good reason. January 1 is one of the times when it claims the right to be out after midnight and to hear town clocks chime out the last ho"ur of the old year. There is a significant meaning in that last hour, and before the sound of the Ferry clock had died away_ on Tuesday night crowds that had waited for that moment gave vent to their feelings. Enthusiasm just let itself go as though New Year's Eve was a time for happiness above all things. There were, of course, the serious-minded who shared a watchful vigil, but in Queen Street and in the suburban centres of population the light and effervescent spirit prevailed. Rain Mars Pleasure. Imagine that spirit when it had spent itself, slept and looked out through a thousand windows to get its first real glimpse of the New Year yesterday morning. Drawing 6tock on that first impression, it is easy to recall the events of the day. Sports and excursions were cancelled, picnic parties, postponed, and the holiday programme had to be drawn out afresh to fit in with the conditions of a wet New Year's Day. The Ellerslie races were commenced in the rain, but as the afternoon advanced there was a steady improvement, with a gradual lightening of the clouds and the cessation of the lain. Numerous motoring excursions were not seriously interfered with, but these could not be regarded as <1 typical outdoor celebration of the big holiday. . Trekking for Heme. Visitors to Auckland havi begun their trek homewards, and all Express trains leaving for the South since Monday have been full. A special 8.40 p.m. express will' be run to-day and to-morrow, "and as the bookings for to o.orrow are particularly heavy there is a probability that the Railway Department will have to put on a fourth express for Wellington. For the four-weekly period ending December 28 52,814 ordinary and excursion railway tickets were issued in Auckland. This was a decrease of 3939 upon the number for the corresponding period of 1928. At the Queen Street central booking office 8943 tickets were issued" an increase of IGG upon the number for the 1928 period." Reservations of seats made personally in Auckland-or by telegram from country stations, from December 1 to December 20, totalled 19,382, while 7SB sleeping berths were also reserved. Conclusion of Sports Carnivals. To-day saw the conclusion of the summer racing carnival . t Auckland. Motor cycle races at the Western Springs Stadium which had been set down for New Year's 4 Day will now take place on Saturday evening, and these at Blandford Park on Monday evening ;■ To-morrow will see the commencement of the Plunket Shield ma.tch Auckland v. Canterbury. The game will be continued on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, if necessary.