COLD HOLIDAY

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29224, 7 June 1960, Page 12

COLD HOLIDAY

Home Popular Place

By fires, in cinemas, wrapped up in cars, or doing odd jobs at home was how most people spent a wet, cold and dreary Queen’s Birthday in and around Christchurch yesterday A cold south-westerly wind with drizzle and an odd downpour were fairly general throughout the province. There was little variation in the day’s temperature. The highest was 48 degrees at 3 p.m. The lowest was about 7 a.m.—42 degrees. In Christchurch, the day began overcast and remained cloudy until midday. Drizzle and showers added to the gloominess. From about 1.30 p.m. conditions changed, a weak-faced sun peered down from the bluest of skies and apart from being hidden by cloud now and again, stayed out for ‘almost three hours. Early in the morning about 1000 passengers went to the railway station to catch the excursion trains to Arthur’s Pass. Also out for some mountain air were the four constables, two on each train, who accompanied the enthusiasts.

Only about 40 to 50 members of the public turned out to stand in the drizzle at 10.30 a.m. to watch the Queen’s Birthday parade which was changed over from Cathedral square and held in the King Edward barracks. All city cinemas reported good business throughout the day. Eleven o’clock sessions, where held, were only moderately attended but the remaining three sessions were well patronised as the house full signs outside testified. Coffee bars did well in sales of hot drinks.

The deceptive brightness of the afternoon encouraged family outings in the car.

A considerable crowd made their way to Christchurch international airport From about midday until late afternoon the terminal was full of sightseers who took over the coffee bar and restaurant and enjoyed the luxurious comfort of the warm lounges. One photographer had a busv time The Canterbury Museum was well patronised.

Taxi drivers said business was about normal for a wet day. The only time things were really busy was when trains to and from races and excursions departed and arrived.

According to the Meteorological Office, the weather today will be very much of the mixture as before. Southerlies are forecast with a few scattered showers but the fair periods are expected to increase.

TV Boosts Australian Reading Demand.— A librarian said in Melbourne that Australians are reading more factual books because of television. Mr Barrett Reid, field officer of the Victoria State Library Service Board, said there was an increasing demand for books on foreign affairs, archaelogy and popular science Librarians had also welcomed a decline in the public demand for “ephemeral” fiction such as Westferns and romances.—Reuters.