THE HOLIDAY.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19198, 3 January 1928, Page 10

THE HOLIDAY.

BRILLIANT WEATHER

EXODUS TO SEASIDE AND COUNTRY.

Biue skies and brilliant sunshine

favourc-d holiday-makers yesterday, and in consequence the various attractions aud resorts were largely patronised. There was a big attendance at the trotting meeting at Addington and also at the regattas and sports meetings held in the country, while thousands of people enjoyed themselves in the surf at the beaches, the Brighton. North Beach, and Sunnier-hound tramcars being heavily laden all day long. The Railway Department had a busy time, thousands of passengers being carried to various destinations. About ;>OOO people travelled to Lvttelton. 400 to llanmer, 1200 to Amberley. 400 to Stewart's Gully, while two trains were required to convey the 750 excursionists who went to Otira. In addition about .?00 passengers went south by the express, and 400 travelled by the West Coast express. On Friday the receipts on the trains, although fairly satisfactory, were £213 less than for the corresponding day in The figures were as follows: 1927. £827: 1926. £lO-10.

MR BALDWIN'S MESSAGE. 1928 A CRITICAL YEAR. (AUSTRALIAN AXD K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received January 2nd. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, December 31. Mr Baldwin, in a message to the Primrose League, says: "Great efforts were made during the year to restore industrial prosperity, and considerable progress was made, though complete restoration was impossible. There is a better spirit in industry and a greater desire for capital and! labour to cooperate.

"1 trust the new spirit will extend during 1928. The coming year will be one of great political activity. It will l>o essential to prepare for the next General Election. The policy measures of the Government will be subject to much misrepresentation by political opponents. The Primrose League will be of great service to the Party and the country by correcting the same. 1 hope the end of the year sees the League going forward in support of the traditions and principles upon which the Empire depends."

LONDON QUIET. WEATHER PREVENTS EXTENSIVE CELEBRATION. (AUSTRALIA!! AND H.Z. CABLI ASSOCIATION.) (Received January 2nd, 7 p.m.) LONDON, January 1. The new year was heralded with unusual quietude in the heart of the Empire owing to the wretched weather —snow, sleet, and rain prevailing throughout London. Probably the smallest crowd on record gathered outside St. Paul's to hear the great bell strike midnight. Underground railways, omnibuses, and tramways were prepared to cope with a rush, but the snowfall, early in the evening, kept many by the home fireside, content to listen to the universal New Year greetings by wireless. The temperature roso slightly, turning the snow into slush, and then the frost returned. The official forecast is for sightly milder weather, but a continuance of night frosts. One of the most notable celebrations was the midnight service at York Minster, which took the form of a thanksgiving for thirteen hundred years of Christianity on that ■ hallowed spot. The Archbishop unveiled a stone inscribed "6267—1927. Deo Gratia." Groups of English-speaking foreigners staged fake religious meetings in the neighbourhood of St. Paul's tc make a mockery of the wateh-night services held throughout the country. These scenes of hooliganism were resented, and in one instance the police intervened and took a ringleader to the police station.

WILD ORGY IN NEW YORK. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.2. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received January 2nd, 7 p.m.) NEW YORK, December 31. Despite extraordinary efforts made- to minimise the New Year's five celebrations, the city indulged in the wildest orgy for many years. The Mayor issued an edict' ordering all places of amusement to be shut at five in the morning, and Prohibition forces padlocked the cabarets and night clubs. In one case, under an old "moonshine" law, they removed all the furnishings and smashed up the premises of one of the most expensive places. Here, nevertheless, the greatest crowds in the city's history are reported, and reservations at theatres and restaurants and other amusement places were at a premium.