RECORD XMAS?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 301, 20 December 1937, Page 9

RECORD XMAS?

SHOPPING RUSH.

TRAFFIC FIGURES HEAVY.

holiday RESORTS FTTT.T.

Indications everywhere—in the rush "f shopping already in full swing, in the heavy bookings for all means of travel, and in "full house" notices at nearly all holiday resorts-indicate that Christmas 1037, will probably again break pro*.' ? THe r " sh ha « already stru-ted in the city, and on Saturday transport services were fully engaged.

-The railway station during the weekend was a hive of activitv. Normal egress schedules had been' augmented with several special trains, and four new-type carriages also provided more room, as each ear carries a dozen more passengers than the capacity number of Jt« older counterpart. Thus provision wa« made last night on the Limited for second-class passengers above the number formerly carried in the same number of cars. When all eight of the new cars at Auckland are in commission on the Ma in Trunk service* the capacity of the trains will be greatly enhanced.

Am on j? the work-end travellers wlio added to the bustle of the railway station were 70 inmates of the Insti*tute for the Blind, returning to their homes for the Christmas season, and something like 200 tourists off the steamer Strathaird travelling by special train and ordinary express to Rotorua.

Saturday's morning rush was a deal above the average, indicating that the Christmas shopping round, which has been rather slower than was the case last year in gathering way, had set in. The delay in this, rcspect seems to be bound up with the unexpected difficulty which has been experienced in getting accommodation at beaches and holiday resorts in all parts of the province. Hundreds of citizens who had projected spending their vacation at such places have been left lamenting on account of the accommodation having been snapped up early, and of the steep rise in tariffs following upon this early rush for accommodation.

The natural corollary has been a widespread decision to make the best of a holiday at home featured by such daytrips as the weather may dictate, and. of course, a little more deliberation in the selection of Christmas gifts than would have been possible in the bustle of getting away for »n extended holiday from home. Meanwhile the fine weather continues, and home-stranded would-be travellers are making whoopee while the sun shines—and crowded private cars and public buses, trains and boats kept the beaches athrong during the daylight hours of Saturday and Sunday.