CHRISTMAS EVE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 67, 30 December 1946, Page 5

CHRISTMAS EVE

SCENES ON CROWDED STRAND

EAGER LAST-MINUTE SHOPPERS

The town was crowded as in the past on Christmas Eve and the alternative traffic arrangements were warmly appreciated. According to some observers the .. crowd .was not as large as in past years while from a purely commercial point of view we are informed that the shopping figures in several instances failed to reach the comparative turnover of the previous year. However all shopkeepers were agreed that broadly the volume of Christmas shopping this year was spread over two of three weeks and that those three weeks eclipsed all previous records. Limited Lighting The town suffiered somewhat owing to the power restrictions and the main street was not as bright as it might have been in spite of the best efforts being put forward by the local control in honour of the occasion. From the early evening when the crowd commenced to assemble, it was evident that the ■Christmas atmosphere would not be -absent from Whakatane. A big section of the crowd was composed merely of sightseers, who spent most of the time parading up and down the Strand. It was from this group that most of the fun and laughter emanated, and it was likewise not surprising to note that it was largely composed of Maoris, who were definitely out for a good time, and in most cases ‘had it.’ Singing groups with string instruments wove their way in and out of the -crowd and friends from a distance delightedly. Others again sang in small' crowds with_ not unpleasing effect. • The Children’s Night Out But it was to the children that the main business of the evening was .addressed—at least the earlier hours. 'They were there in their hundreds, ■ excitedly examining the displays in -fhe toy-shops, the wares in the con-/ feetionery establishments and gog*gling at delicacies in the cake and bakery windows. Novelty hats and .occasion whistles soon became part of the- necessary equipment, and gradually, the evening assumed its traditional aspect. It was not until the theatres emptied their patrons jPn to the street, that the juvenile programme came to an abrupt end, and by 11 p.m. not a child was to be seen. Finale With the closing of their doors -tired and drooping shopkeepers thankfully made their way homewards, leaving the town to the diehards who continued to parade, to sing and to laugh as the final buses .made their ‘departures from the Rock. Whakatane assumed very ;nearly its normal atmosphere of quiefude, and shortly was deserted but for the nightwatchman on his rounds, who marvelled at the unusual litter. -■ Free Spending Power Of the shopping season, it was generally agreed that with higher prices ruling, the -returns to the businesshouses would be naturally much higher. But again from a number of interviews, we gather that money was freer than ever and that little or no discretion was. exercised by the average shopper, other than perhaps the discerning housewife who by nature must spend her pounds Wisely and to best advantage if Christmas is to be as« successful as she has planned. Do-minion-made goods of steadily improving quality comprised the main stock in most shops, and it was refreshing to note a drop in price in many instances. The longer shopping period, mentioned earlier was probably due to the introduction of the 40-hour week, which possibly served as a very forcible warning to many to shop early and not become victims in the final scramble. Such a practice would be more than welcomed by shopkeepers in future, but public behaviour on these lines cannot be guaged. On the whole however local shopkeepers and we trust the public also are thoroughly satisfied with Christmas trade of 1946.