THE HOLIDAYS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 23, 26 December 1925, Page 7

THE HOLIDAYS

FINE WEATHER PREVAILS. MANY ATTRACTIONS. Glorious weather obtained for Christmas Day at Palmerston North and large numbers of people spent the day out of doors, the Esplanade, Tiritea and district seaside' resorts being well patronised. The town itself was naturally quiet, practically the whole of the pedestrian traffic being confined to those attending Christmas services at the churches, which were well filled. About 9 p.m. rain commenced to fall, but this morning broke fine, although dull there having been quite a drop in the temperature. Christmas Eve in town was characterised by huge crowds of people in the streets, the press along Broadway in the early evening being such that it was difficult to make progress along the western sido of the Square. The shops were crowded and the refreshment rooms had to regulate the admission of patrons by closing the doors for a period. Good humour prevailed and there was a pleasing absence of any rowdyism. The post office and railway departments had an exceptionally busy time, and even yesterday train traffic was heavy. This morning there was a great exodus of Palmerston. North people from the railway station, and in this respect it is noted that more local residents than usual seem to have timed their departure for this morning. The junior cricket match, Manawatu v. Hawke’s Bay, which was commenced yesterday, was continued this morning, when also a commencement was made with the senior fixture in which the Manawatu representatives are opposing an eleven from Southern Hawke’s Bay. Tho opening day of the Manawatu Racing Club’s summer meeting was largely attended, both taxis and train services to the races conveying very many holiday-makers bent on enjoying a (lay on this popular course. CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES. The usual festivities were held at the Palmerston North Hospital, where the nurses sang carols in the wards, which were attractively decorated for the occasion. There was a visit from the Municipal Band, a Father Christmas who especially delighted tho juvenile inmates, and special fare was provided for tho patients generally. A decorative scheme was carried out at the Old Peoplo’s Home, tho inmates of which were treated to a special dinner, and were visited yesterday afternoon by All Saints’ Church choir and members of the Girls’ Club who sang appropriate numbers. As usual the little inmates of All Saints’ Children’s Home were treated to a most enjoyable timo at Christmas. On Wednesday there was a party with a Christmas tree given by Mr and Mrs Handley, of Komako. The townspeople gave freely towards providing all that goes to make for the happiness of tho little ones, and yesterday thcro was a special Christmas dinner provided by Mr H. A. Seifert.

The Willard Home children are spending Christmas at Plimmerton and will return on January 30. Through the good offices of the Returned Soldiers’ Association the children in homes of members and honorary members of the association were yesterday accorded a real Christmas treat. Messrs A. AV. Chapman, F. Cousins, J. Smith and D. Dilks, attired in fancy costumes, carried out a liberal distribution of gifts, tho transport being supplied by Messrs J. AV. Rutherfurd, A. George, H. AValkley and AVollerman. There was, too, a visit from Father Christmas to the same homes, and the. association is to be congratulated on its whole hearted effort to add to the happiness of children of members at this season of tho year. AT THE CHURCHES. A number of local churches conducted special Christmas services, large congregations being tho rule. At all Saints’ Church there were communion services at 6,7, 8 and 9.45 a.m. yesterday, the last-named being of a choral character. There was a further communion service at noon and the total number of communicants—--46 B—is8 —is a record. Canon Fancourt conducted a servico at 11 a.m., while in the evening there was a most beautiful service which took the form of evensong and carols by the choir. Mr H. J. Harris spoke at Broad street Methodist Church in the morning at 11, and the Rev. Harold T. Peat at Cuba Street Methodist Church at 8 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. The Rev. J. M. Stewart spoke on “Tho Meaning of Christmas” at Emmanuel Congregational Church at 11 a.m.

Services were conducted at the Anglican churches at Longburn and Linton in tho forenoon and at Kairanga and Newbury in the evening. At St. Patrick’s Church, Midnight Mass was celebrated on Christmas Eve the church being crowded. Three other Masses were celebrated during the morning. The Municipal and Salvation Army Bands were carolling the town and suburbs from an early hour yesterday morning. - POST AND TELTGRAPH FIGURES. Post and telegraph business was in excess of last year’s a reporter was informed this morning, although it is too early yet to secure returns complete in all respects. Figures relative to telegrams for Christmas Eve were: Forwarded, 2244 ; received, 2290; transmitted through tho local office from other places, 2000. The number of mail hags and parcel receptacles received and despatched was as follows: Monday, December 21 483 Tuesday, December 22 602 Wednesday, December 23 617 Thursday, December 24 531 Total 2233 Y.M.C.A. EXCURSIONS. Members of the Palmerston North Y.M.C.A. left town this morning to go into camp at Pohangina, while on Monday a further party leaves for the South "island, nine going to Pelorous Sounds and six to the Milford Track.

BIG CROWDS IN WELLINGTON. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 25. Thousands thronged the streets on Christmas Eve, and tram and motor traffic was greatly impeded, but there was no serious accident. The city seemed to hold more visitors than usual. This fact is accounted for by the fact that a largo number wereen route to Dunedin for the big exhibition. Oil Thursday no fewer than three large pasenger steamers left Wellington for Lyttelton crowded with passengers, whi'lo a good number left for Picton, Nelson and the West Coast. Despite this drain, thousands continued co pour into Wellington city. All seaside resorts are crowded with people. Beautiful weather prevailed with

a clear, blue sky and a northerly tempering the sun’s rays. To-day the weather was cloudy. VISITORS TO EXHIBITION. DUNEDIN, Dec. 25. The weather for the holiday season was dry, but to-day there was a cold wind, with threatening rain. Yesterday was clear and bright and the town presented an animated appearance. Crowds thronged the streets at a late hour last night and appeared as densely packed as in previous years, despite the immense number at the Exhibition. The season is Dunedin has been exceptionally busy on account of the influx of exhibition visitors. Five expresses from the north arrived on Thursday, bringing a large number of pasengers, who, in addition to the people who arrived earlier in the week, make a huge total. Tho post office officials report an extraordinary volume of business, attributed to the exhibition, the record of all previous years having been eclipsed. The telegraph oifico similarly experienced an extra rush, having handled about 46,000 messages for the four days ending Thursday. Tho city tramways naturally had a busy time and yesterday the takings at ordinary fares amounted to £IOOO. PURCHASERS IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Dec. 25. Shopkeepers have little to regret this Christmas. The majority of them agree that the turnover for the week prior to Christmas exceeded that of the corresponding period last year. A great increase was recorded in many establishments. In the number of individual purchases there has been a complete absence of extravagance, with, on the other hand, an absence of anything like tightness. Tho average shopper spent quite freely, yet with th every definite intention of getting the equivalent value in return. TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT. WELLINGTON, Dec. 26. The Telegraph Department experienced an exceptionally busy time on Christmas Eve. The total messages handled on Thursday was 110,025, comprising tho following: Sent from Wellington, 25,578; received, 31,052; forwarded from offices outside Wellington, 53,395. The figures last year were: Sent, 24,868; received, 29,376; forwarded, 42,538; total, 96,782. Greetings and other purely Christmas business formed by far tho greater proportion of tho messages, and it was fortunate for the department that the weather favoured telegraphic work and that transmission was possible with a minimum of meteorological and other interruptions. FROST AND SNOW. APPROPRIATE WEATHER IN ENGLAND. LONDON, Dec. 23. A ground sparkling with frost and a keen, nipping air, following heavy rain early during tho week, gave London its first touch of appropriate wintry weather. Though a white Christmas is unlikely in the south, there have been heavy snowfalls in Devon, the West Midlands, Derbyshire and Westmoreland. A gale, with a velocity of 63 miles an hour, played havoc on the east coast. It swept across Europe. Telegraphs and telephones were interrupted in Franco and Spain and numerous accidents are reported, due to the fall of walls, chimneys and roofs. The only cheerful Continental reports are from Switzerland, where the skier is rejoicing in excellent snow conditions. —A. and N.Z. cable. ULSTER MESSAGE. LONDON, Dec. 23. Sir James Craig, in a Christmas message, says: “In contrast with the overcast outlook last year, this Christmas presents a new hope, not only to Ulster, but to all Ireland. All should be grateful for our delivery by Divine mercy from the agonies of by-gone years and for the birth of a new spirit of goodwill.”—A. and N.Z. cable. PROSPEROUS AMERICA. NEW YORK, Dec. 23. It is generally conceded that this is one of the best Christmases in the hisotry of the United States, a prosperous year having filled tho pockets of the people to the extent that apparently there is more spending money available than ever before. Christmas shopping has now definitely broken all records, it being the unanimous verdict of the large stores that buying is most extravagant. Numerous largo organisations throughout tho country have folowed Wail Street’s examplo in distributing large bonuses. The railways report that the number of travellers returning home for the holidays is unprecedented. The only section of the country where suffering is prevalent appears to bo the coal districts. Tho Salvation Army relief organisation, reports that the number of 1 needy in New York deserving relief is less than half of last year’s total.—A. and N.Z. cable.