CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25996, 27 December 1949, Page 5

CHRISTMAS IN AUSTRALIA

WARM WEATHER FOR HOLIDAYS

(Rec. 10 p.m.) SYDNEY, Dec. 26. The weather for the Christmas holidays in New South Wales has so far been almost perfect, with sunshine and light breezes. The forecast is for continued fine weather.

On Saturday afternoon, the temperature in Sydney rose steadily to 96.3 degrees, but a cool southerly breeze brought relief at nightfall. More people went to church in Sydney on Sunday than on any other Christmas Day for many years. The main exodus of holidaymaker* from the city has ceased, but to-day hundreds of hikers are leaving for scenic resorts. Other attractions are the Summer Cup day at Randwick and the start of the Hobart yacht race, the contestants in which will be in view most of to-day, as they work off the coast.

In Brisbane yesterday, the temperature was 94.5 degrees. It was the second hottest Christmas Day on record. The other State capitals report brilliant weather.

Sydney finished its main Christmas shopping rush in a burst of spendthrift gaiety. There was another £250,000 in notes circulating Fince Thursday night, making £19.500.000 altogether. This was £6,500.000 more than last Christmas.

Store executives say that Friday’s trade was a record, and traffic officers say that the streets and public transport were never busier.

Hundreds of holidaymakers were unable to board trains which they wanted to catch at Sydney’s central station, and they had to wait for from six to 14 hours for later trains. Hundreds of people had to sit or stand in the train corridors. Many of these passengers faced journeys of more than 400 miles

Throughout Friday trains carried more than 40.000 persons out of Sydney.