RAIN SPOILS HOLIDAY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21466, 7 May 1935, Page 10

RAIN SPOILS HOLIDAY

Most Sports Fixtures

Abandoned

BLEAK WINTRY WEATHER

The fireside was easily the most popular resort for Christchurch people during the public holiday yesterday. It was a bitterly cold day, and though the howling gale of Saturday night, Sunday, and Sunday night had lost most of its force, there was rain almost continuously, and the temperature might have been that of a day in July. The King's jubilee holiday will probably be remembered as among the most uncomfortable for many years. There were a good many sporting and other fixtures yesterday apart from the jubilee celebrations, but nearly all of them were cancelled. An exception was the Eugby trial game played at Lancaster Park. Every other sporting fixture of the day was abandoned. Most of the country districts, having had weather much the same as that in the city, also abandoned their sports fixtures and jubilee celebrations. Methven was an exception, where in cold and windy but fine weather, the trotting meeting was held. With most of the populace content to stay at home, takings on the trams and on the railways were small. The tramping excursion organised by the Railway Department to the lakes on the western line was abandoned, because snow was falling in the district the trampers would have traversed. About 150 passengers went to Otira on the excursion train, and found that the weather was fine, but cold, ideal for tramping. Probably the only members of the sporting community who welcomed the bad weather for jubilee day were those who went to Lake Ellesmere and other resorts duck shooting. A southerly of the sort which has been blowing is ideal for shooters. The city was practically abandoned throughout the day. Most shops and all offices were closed, and there was little temptation to parade in the streets. Shortly after 2 o'clock there was a fair influx into the city when people packed into the theatres for the afternoon. In the evening there were again large audiences. During the afternoon, many people, having become bored with sitting at home, went for motor drives, but driving was more to break the monotony and take a little air than for pleasure. Most of the motorists were well muffled in warm clothing. Both at Redcliffs and Lyttelton, the regattas which were to be a part of the jubilee ceremonies were abandoned. Rain fell throughout the day, with cold temperatures, and continued into the night. It was not a good holiday.