LIKE OLD TIMES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 303, 23 December 1933, Page 6

LIKE OLD TIMES.

SHOPPING REVIVAL. AUCKLAND'S ANIMATION. HEAVY TRAIN TRAFFIC. Christmas shopping of yesterday and this morning was reminiscent of the prosperous times of four or five years ago. The peak pressure of yesterday was sustained this morning, when shops and streets were again congested with parcel-laden people. Shopkeepers and their assistants were worked hard right up till mid-day, and when the doors closed there seemed to be the unanimous opinion that it had been the beet pre-Christmas shopping period for years. The main thoroughfares of the city and suburbs were thronged last evening, and there was a festive atmosphere, particularly in Queen Street and Karangahape Road. This morning there was heavy traffic in Queen Street of both private and commercial vehicles, all being utilised in taking away the final purchases. The crowd seemed as thick as yesterday, but after noon it soon disappeared. Though there has been an extraordinary exodus of holiday-makers—th.e train traffic to the North, Rotorua, the Bay of Plenty and New Plymouth being unprecedented—-the city is crowded for the holidays, and accommodation in many of the hotels and boardingliouses is taxed. Thousands Come and Go. The train services' were supplemented by specials this morning, and it is estimated that approximately 1000 people left by two trains which had Whangarei and Opua as their terminus. A train soon after 8 o'clock for Whangarei took about 400 people, and another which followed after 9 o'clock had over 500 patrons. There were two trains to Rotorua and Tauranga. The first, due to depart at 8.55 a.m., was delayed about 20 minutes, and carried 150 passengers, but the Tauranga train took no less than 500. Rotorua's popularity was evidenced when the 10 o'clock train carried a similar load. The inward traffic has been equally heavy, and five trains arriving from Wellington and New Plymouth, are estimated to have brought between them some 2000 visitors. This afternoon two trains left for Wellington, and they were estimated to carry 000 holidaymakers between them. To the bays across the water and the resorts down the gulf a continuous stream of traffic flowed from this morning, while the Great South and North Roads evidenced the popularity of the holiday by motor.