THE HOLIDAY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21356, 26 December 1934, Page 8

THE HOLIDAY

♦ A FINE AND WARM CHRISTMAS MANY PERSONS LEAVE CITY The weather smiled on Christchurch people for their Christmas Day outings. Large numbers travelled to the beaches and to the bays of Lyttelton harbour, with the result that transport facilities were well patronised; many left by train or car to travel long distances to holiday grounds; and probably just as many stayed at home and enjoyed the traditional Christmas at the family table. The day was not bright and scorching as some days have been in the recent hot spell. But there was just enough cloud and cool wind from the east to make a warm day pleasant. The comparison with last year, when rain and low temperatures spoiled the Christmas weekend, is as follows: — 1933. 1934. Maximum, Christmas Day 58 71 Minimum, previous night 39 64 The complaints of thvj many persons who found the night (Christmas Eve) oppressive are explained by the high temperature, which, however, was probably preferable to the heavy rain which fell on that night last year. Going Camping Perhaps the most notable feature of the holiday period this year has been the number of persons setting out fcr holidays in the open. Some are motor touring, but most have picked some coastal bay or pleasant riverside spot and intend to spend | their time camping. They have been I encouraged by the continued fine weather, and the steadiness of a barometer which seems to promise that rain is not due yet. The roads are in good order, and the motor camps have been the subject of many enquiries. At Lancaster Park, where the Plunket Shield cricket match between Canterbury and Auckland was played, there wa£ a large assembly ci2 spectators. The South Christchurch open bowling tournament was played, but apart from this there was little organised sport. Those who could not travel far but who either lived at the seaside or did not mind having their Christ-' mas dinner pianic fashion probably had the best of the day. The crowds at the beaches were not so large as on some recent- Sundays, but the surf both at Sumner and 'New Brighton was good. At Christmas services in the churches there were good attendances during the morning. In Anglican churches this was particularly noticeable at the early morning celebration of Holy Communion.

Travel by Train and Steamer Many persons left by train for the south and for the West Coast. On Monday there were four expresses for Dunedin between 12.25 p.m. and 10.25 p.m. These trains, as well as one at 10 a.m. for the West Coast, were well patronised. Yesterday there was a continuation of the exodus, the only special train outward being at 9.10 a.m. for Dunedin. The usual inward trains were added to by two early yesterday morning from Dunecjin, and another at 6 p.m. The inter-island steamer both to and from Lyttelton carried unusually large numbers of passengers. Those who arrived yesterday morning remarked on the high temperature and closeness of the atmosphere even at sea.