CHRISTMAS EVE

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

CHRISTMAS EVE

Smaller Crowd In Streets END OF BUSY TIME FOR SHOPS Christmas Eve in Christchurcli this year was less busy for the shops, and the streets held far fewer people than for some years. The crowds were actually less dense than they are on many Friday late shopping nights during the year. In spite of this there was the spirit of goodwill abroad that is expected of the occasion, and many of the people in the streets were out to enjoy themselves rather than to take advantage of the late closing of the shops. The chief reason for the 'difference was that Friday last was a sort of "false Christmas Eve," when people did their late shopping, but with the realisation that there were still Saturday morning and Monday for last minute purchases. So the Christmas Eve atmosphere was spread out over several days.

The Footpath Scene Quite early in the evening the crowd began to thicken, and progress along the footpaths was slowed up. Bunches of people met and stopped to talk, sometimes making complete blockages until they were moved on by a constable. The chief indication that the occasion was something more than an ordinary late shopping night was the presence of groups of youths who showed their determination to be festive by decking themselves with straw hats and causing mild explosions with "throw-downs." It was noticeable that there were very few children in the streets, and the usual family groups holding back at intersections, with younger children unwilling to be dragged away from attractive windows, were almost entirely absent. The difficult movement along the footpaths made it inevitable that there should be some jostling, but it was ail goodhumoured. Not Many Shops Busy Occasionally a youth who really had celebrated attracted attention by calling to friends as they passed in the street; a wedding car moving away from a photographer's caused people to swarm round that one spot for a time, some remaining in the hope of seeing something unusual even, after the original cause of attraction had moved away; and a dropped parcel littered the pavement with children's toys. Only a few of the shops were busy. Those selling substantial or expensive goods were almost always empty, but those dealing in fancy goods, books, toys or Christmas cards attracted a fair proportion of customers. Some of these seemed to be working at full pressure. After 9 o'clock, however, the crowd thinned, and long before closing time at 10 o'clock the flow of purchasers had almost stopped. Shop assistants were naturally tired out by the time their long day was at last ended. Most of them, however, were thankful that they had had the week-end for rest after the -rush of last week. The general impression was that more trade had been done than for some time. The police found the crowd good-hum-oured and orderly.

WELLINGTON STREETS THRONGED GOOD BUSINESS REPORTED (TRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, December 25. Wellington city was thronged with shoppers on Christmas Eve. the streets, decorated with coloured lights and bunting, giving a festive appearance. Retailers report good business, and although some of the younger element were in holiday mood the police report a quiet night. The very hot weather probably accounted for the fact that the majority of the people in the streets went home earlier than usual. FINE WEATHER YESTERDAY AT DUNEDIN tl-KESS ASSOCIATION TELECHAM.) DUNEDIN, December 25. Glorious weather was experienced to-day, and there was heavy traffic by rail and road to and from the city. Outdoor sport to-day was confined to the cricket match Otago \*. North Otago, and the Christmas pairs bowling tournament.