THE HOLIDAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18598, 28 December 1920, Page 4

THE HOLIDAY.

STEADY RAIN IN THE CITY.

GATHERINGS POSTPONED

A long spell of dry, hot weather ended very inauspieiondy for Boxing Day in Canterbury. Clouds gathered early in the morning, with signs of rain, which began to fall about 9.30 o’dlock. The downpour quickly in--creased, and from 10.30 o’clock on there was heavy, steady, warm, windlees rain, which absolutely precluded indulgence in outdoor games. Pleasure-seekers found some consolation in the fact that the rain will do much good to gardens in the city and suburbs, and to the farmers, but all picnics and most of the excursions had to be cancelled, and people who had arranged to spend the day out in the open wero driven inßideA large number of visitors went out by the earlier trams to New Brighton, but the rain which aet in about 10 o’clock oompelled the committee to abandon the holding of the North Beach Gala, which ia postponed till next Saturday. I . - . . . j It was considered inadvisable to resume the interprovincial cricket match between Canterbury and Wellington in the morning and as the rain continued play for the day was abandoned. The croquet tournament bn the United Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club’s grounds in Hagley Park was begun, and play continued until noon, but at the luncheon hour it was decided that no more matches should be played that day. The matches will he resumed at 9 a.m. to-morrow, if th© weather permits. . , _ , Excursions to the hills and the seaside were cancelled, and the trams wero less busy than usual on a public holiThe progressive doubles and other tournaments arranged to take place on various district bottling greens had to be abandoned, no play being possible. Similar tournaments have been arranged for Saturday and Monday next.

KAIAPOI. Although the morning was dull, a large number of picnickers visited. I\attain and The Pinea. About 10.30 o clock steady rain set in, and continued throughout the day. The St Bartholomew’s Sunday School picnic, had to be abandoned, but the children were entertained all day at the Drill Hall. The St Stephen’s troop of Bov Scouts went into camp at The Pines.

RANGIORA. Boxing Day has for many years past been regarded by Rangiora folk as the principal picnic day of the . year, and weather unfavourable for an outing; is a source of disappointment to many a household. Last year the holiday was spoilt by Tain, and such was Hie case yesterday. An overcast sky in the early part of the morning and an occasional light drizzle were decidedly unpromising, but a large number of pleasure-seekers were optimistic enough to venture from home.. Practically all the picnic parties made for the Waikuku beach, where, however, they found but little pleasure. Before noon the drizzle had developed into a steady rain, and later it came down with tropical heaviness, driving everyone to shelter in the sheds provided by . the Domain Board, motor-cars, or tents. After lunch most of the picnickers made for home. A large party of Roman Catholics from Rangiora and Christchurch visited the beach, and concluded their picnic in the Rangiora Drill Hall. The members of the Rangiora Corps of the Salvation Army had arranged for a picnic at the Domain, but the Lain confined them to their meet-ing-Toom for- the day. The annual sports gathering at Loburn had to bs postponed.

AT LYTTELTON. -Notwithstanding the threatening weather from early morning, it is estimated that over, a thousand persons made their way to Lyttelton between 9.15 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. Rain was falling when the 8.50 a.m. train arrived from Christchurch, but a large crowd boarded motor launches and the John Anderson for the various bays. Diamond Harbour, as usual, attracted a large crowd. Many remained on the station and underneath : verandahs, in the hope that the weather might clear. Up to 11 a.m. picnickers were pouring into the port, but the 10.20 ft.tn. train to town took back many who were already fairly wet. By 2 p.m. most of the visitors had returned to town.