2000 ’PHONE SANTA CLAUS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29695, 13 December 1961, Page 14

2000 ’PHONE SANTA CLAUS

Firm’s Offer To Children An offer of three hours in which to telephone Father Christmas for a friendly chat was taken up last evening by more than 2000 Canterbury children. The unusual opportunity was provided by a large Christchurch shop purely as a pleasant surprise for young children. The children were advised of the opportunity by an advertisement in both Christchurch newspapers yesterday. The staff who worked behind the scenes described the response as “absolutely staggering.” Most of the telephone calls were from the city and its immediate suburbs, but calls were received from throughout Canterbury and the West Coast. Most of the callers were aged up to eight or nine years. Transistors, dolls, cowboy outfits, all manner of toys, and even a horse were among the things sought by the children. Some older children rang on behalf of younger brothers and sisters already in bed. Nineteen lines had to be used to keep up with the telephone callers during the three hours the service was available. In addition to the requests, each child’s name and address were taken, and a card acknowledging the call will be sent to every child. The card will enable all to have a free ride on the shop s Christmas express. Although the callers eager to talk with Santa Claus were mostly youngstere, several middle-aged “children” —as a result of office legpulling—rang the number given in the advertisement.