THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

Bush Advocate, Volume XVI, Issue 601, 30 December 1904, Page 4

THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

As the years go by, the people of the colony appear to look forward withj increased interest to the coming of the Christmas and New Year holidays. The occasion is looked upon as a favourable one in which to make a break in the daily work, and the employer is as anxious as the employee to extend tbe holiday as long as possible. This may be accepted, we suppose, as a sign that trade is prosperous, and that business men and others feel justified in making all they can of the annual rest from toil. As a rule, the cities cater largely for the Christmas influx, and the "country cousin " hies himself away to the larger centres to enjoy his holiday, and spend his money. Recognising the fact that the smaller places as a rule offer but few inducements for the pleasure seeker, two of the "West Coast towns— Wanganui and New Plymouth — have this year arranged special functions. At the latter town an exhibition is being held, which has attracted many visitors, and Wanganui has provided a carnival, which is turning out a great success also. Dannevirke has to an extent bees almost deserted, and it has been rather a painful business for the ordinary citizen to .see residents of the district leaving daily by train after train bent on

seeking their pleasure in other towns. In this way hundreds of pounds have left the town during the last few days, and it is a question for those interested in the future of the place if it would not be advisable for them to copy the example set by Wanganui and New Plymouth. If the leading business people were prepared to indulge in a little selfsacrifice, a capital programme might be arranged which would assist to keep some at least of the local holiday-makers here and attract a grea^many from other districts in addition. We have on previous occasions urged the desirability of organising' an industrial exhibition. Everyone admits the good that might be gained by such an affair, hut no one seems disposed to go to the little degree of trouble necessarily involved in taking the initiative. Why this indifference should exist is not easy to understand. Other towns find it desirable and necessary to supplement their natural advantages, and Dannevirke would be a gainer if a healthy spirit in these matters could be developed. If the townspeople are prepared to stand idly by and see other centres profit by the expenditure of money which might be made here, they will have only themselves to blame. If the matter were approached in a proper spirit, something in the form of a carnival might be arranged at Dannevirke next year, when the pleasing Spectacle would be witnessed of people on pleasure bent arriving here instead of the reverse being ih evidence.