BAD WEATHER MARS HOLIDAY EVENTS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30107, 16 April 1963, Page 10

BAD WEATHER MARS HOLIDAY EVENTS

Wet, cold weather yesterday marred many holiday events. Several sporting events were either cancelled, postponed. or interrupted, and many holiday-makers had to change their plans. Last year the weather remained fine throughout the holidays. Yesterday’s drizzle made driving hazardous, and the streams of holiday traffic were slowed.

At midday on Sunday, north - westerly conditions gave way to a south-west change, and by 3 p.m. the temperature. had dropped from the maximum of 67.5 degrees to 55 degrees. Light rain began at 6 p.m., and 52 points had fallen by 6 p.m. yesterday. Before the change temperatures had been well up to average, the Christchurch weather office reported.

Already this month Christchurch has had 90 points of rain. The April average is 107 points.

Those attending boy scout and Bible class camps were undaunted oy the drizzle, and organisers reported last night that full camp programmes continued successfully.

More than 1000 Bible class members left Christchurch for camps and conferences m Canterbury and the North Island, and almost all Christchurch scout troops organised patrol or troop camps. Yesterday’s rain interrupted both the Christchurch Bowling Centre’s Easter fours tournament, which will be resumed today, and the South Island tennis titles, which will also be continued today. The South Island archery championships were decided at Burwood, and the Christchurch Golf Club’s Easter tournament was played at Shirley.

At Cust, the motor-cycling Grand Prix meeting was held, but distances were shortened. The weather considerably reduced the attendance. The annual cricket match between Midland (Wellington) and West ChristchurchUniversity. which started on Saturday, had to be abandoned.

In spite of the drizzle many persons spent the day in the city. Cinemas were crowded, with queues formed well out into Cathedra] s’quare for the afternoon sessions. Parking space was at a premium in the centre of the city, and many persons spent the afternoon window-shopping Christchurch taxis were busier this Easter than thev were last year, the demand being constant throughout most of the period and being exceptionally heavy yesterday.

Motor camps in Christchurch were filled throughout the week-end, and only one camp reported campers in tents curtailing their holiday because of yesterday’s weather. Many campers left for homes yesterday afternoon and evening, although some, mainly those renting cabins, intend to stay until today or tomorrow.

Shops. factories, many offices, and Government depart nents will reopen today. Schools will not reopen until tomorrow. Accountants, lawyers, and stockbrokers will not return to work until next Monday.