MERRY XMAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 303, 23 December 1939, Page 8

MERRY XMAS.

CITY THRONGED.

BUYING OF PRESENTS.

BUST SCENES EVER

Christmas shopping worked up to a peak this morning, when the city was thronged with crowds of people making their final purchases in view of the holidays ahead. Yesterday afternoon city stores had a a cry busy time, with an increased rush during the evening hours, and the general indications were that the buying of presents and seasonal articles was on much the same scale us last year, which was one of the best on record. Both last evening and to-day vehicular traffic in the city area was extremely heavy, and it was evident that there were many visitors to Auckland. The opinion was general that there has been a greater volume of bu-oii.ess during the present week, compared with the same period or last year, although moderate-priced articles have been more in demand than expensive ones. There has been, however, no indication of any falling-off in the long-established cUstom of giving Christmas presents. The stocking of the Christmas larder has bad to be a well thought-out plan on the part of housewives, in view of the long holiday period. Hams and poultry have been in good demand, tinned foodstuffs have been selling freely, and there has been an exceptionally big demand for fresh fruit, especially strawberries and cherries. There used to be times when people were inclined tc leave Christmas t.hooping to practically the last minute, but now it is spread over a longer period, this, with more satisfaction to everybody.