HOLIDAYS AT HOME

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 83, 10 April 1939, Page 8

HOLIDAYS AT HOME

YESTERDAY IN WELLINGTON

Perhaps one of the chief pleasures of a holiday is that one is able to discard stiff collars and formal clothes for a few days. Many thousands of people joined the Thursday exodus from the city in pursuit of holiday pleasure but there were others who, though they remained- at home, did not forgo the pleasures of a true holiday.

Wellington harbour has proved itself an interesting fishing ground during the holidays and warm sunshine and the absence of wind have favoured off-the-rocks fishermen, and those who have the advantage of a small boat. Port Jerningham has been a popular gathering place for small craft during the holidays, and most of the fishermen have enjoyed good sport. In a few hours on Good Friday a Roseneath man and his wife, with a small dinghy and an outboard motor, secured a catch that would be envied by fishermen anywhere. They came ashore at Oriental Bay, and their spoils, which included several sizeable snapper and a kingfish, attracted the attention of a large number of passers-by. Almost every rocky promontory round the water's edge had its amateur fisherman, and many good catches were secured.

Although recent southerly spells have considerably cooled the sea water, there was a good sprinkling of swimmers of all ages round the beaches yesterday. Schoolboys seemed to be everywhere in small boats, many of them cranky home-made affairs, but obviously a source of pride and joy to their owners. Launches and yachts, too., were made good use of. The heads seem to be a popular rendezvous, and yesterday large numbers of craft were anchored off Worser Bay and Seatoun.

In this day of motor-cars Wellington's beautiful marine drive attracts few pedestrians, but the stream of motor vehicles is almost unbroken. A noticeable feature of the traffic this summer is the number of girl cyclists appropriately attired in attractively-coloured sweaters and shorts. There has been an unusual demand for women's bicycles in Wellingt6n during the summer.

The Centennial Exhibition site yesterday attracted a large crowd of visitors throughout the afternoon. After expressing disappointment at being barred from the grounds, many of them found sixpences and put in an hour or so on the aerodrome. All available planes were busy with passenger flights throughout the day, and there was almost a continuous stream of incoming and outgoing machinesMuch interest was caused by the arrival of a tiny red Rearwin Sportster monoplane, its brilliant paintwork shining in the sun. When it came'to rest the words "Te Kuiti Aero Club" could be- seen on the side.. The occupants were the Mayor and Mayoress of Te Kuiti (Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Morton) on their way for a holiday at the Franz Josef Glacier. The monoplane is Mr. Morton's private property, but is made available by him to the Te Kuiti Club. After a brief stay the aerial travellers took off for Blenheim.