Holiday attractions busy

Press, 3 January 1980, Page 4

Holiday attractions busy

Christchurch cinemas have; been enjoying their best pat-* ronage for some years over. Christmas and New Year.

“Moonraker,” "Star Trek,” and "The Muppet Movie” have all been pulling in the crowds, the Avon theatre in particular having the best Christmas season for five years with James Bond. “Star Trek” has been shown to full or nearly full houses since it. began on December 21, and many children -have been turned away from “The Muppet Movie” a-.d “The Cat from Outer Soace.” which have been running sid“-bv.-sitle at the two Savov theatres. . A spokeswoman at the‘ Sayoyi. .theatres said . yesfer-. day" that -ah- estimated;-2000| c u i , d-" e patents >had; attended 'tKgi tv.-n river I Vfjar.' S.hp'; sa’d numbers'were "well and iruly up” on las :year and ■

That several “abusive mothers” had had .to be dealt with because of the shortage of seats. •••. .

Orana Park has also had the busiest festive season in its, history. The director of the park (Mr P. Garland) said yesterday that his staff i had been surprised - at the Inumber of families visi lng

■ the park since Boxing Day. He estimated that between 13000 and 4000 people had • turned up in spite of the 'petrol restrictions, although he noticed that there seemed to be more than one family to a car in many cases. ' “Our. attendances since Boxing Day hav 7 been 15 to 20 per cent up on last year,” Mr Garland said. “Perhaps people are. not travelling so far as they used to because of the petrol restrictions. Instead of going to Ashburton : or - Rakaia, they. come . to.

I The Willowbank Wildlife ! Reserve also reported increases of up to 25 per cent on some days over the Christmas season.

The Ferrymead Transport Museum reported that between. 1000 and 1500 people passed through its buildings a day — about the same as last year — but on fine days the attendance was “extremely good” a spokesman said.

Swimming pools have had changing fortunes according to the weather. During the hot spell before Christmas they were very busy, but during the dull patch before 'New Year attendances drooped. The Queen Elizabeth II Park pools have not been as busy as they were last year. A snbkeswoman there attributed the smaller patronage to people , not travelling, as mjich as in previous ; y^rs..