CHRISTMAS EVE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 21, 23 December 1938, Page 7

CHRISTMAS EVE

BUSIEST FOR YEARS. FINAL SHOPPING RUSH. HALF-HOLIDAY TO-MORROW Shoppers were early abroad to-day, imbued with the festive spirit and intent upon making this Christmas the happiest and busiest for many years. Long before noon the streets bore an animated appearance, and even before 10 a.m. business was starting on the climb to the seasonal peak, premises being invaded by keen shoppers making their final purchases. Though premises In the city will be open until noon to-morrow, when the last household requirements to tide over an exceptionally long holiday week-end will have to be obtained, to-day really marked the culmination oft a week of heavy business, activity, trading having been exceptionally brisk. Car parking areas were taxed to the limit this afternoon and nearly everybody was laden with parcels. The weather was bright and sunny early this morning, but later became overcast and threatening. There was ample evidence in the city of a large influx of residents from the country. Five days of excellent Christmas shopping were working up to their climax this afternoon, bad weather earlier in the week having delayed shopping a little. Sales staffs, in tiie case of the larger hrms strongly supplemented, were working at high pressure, and found no respite from the flood of buying. It was clear early to-day that to-night the streets would be thronged by people flocking into the business area in the . traditional manner.

From 0 o’clock to-night and on New Year’s Eve parallel parking of motor cars for an unlimited period in a single line will he permitted up to a white line nine feet from the existin' l - kerbstone in front of shops on the four sides of the Square, in Coleman Place on the north-western side from the Square to Hallenstein Bros., and Broadway on the north-western side from the Square to Princess Street. Head-in parking as usual will be permitted on the garden side of each enclosure in the Square. TRAVELLERS BY RAIL. Passenger traffic on the railways was particularly heavy to-day, no fewer than 19 express trains being scheduled to pass through Palmerston North, ten of them being from Wellington, en route to Auckland. The greater volume of to-day’s bookings are for journeys north, the majority of the trains not running until to-night enabling many holiday-makers to complete the day’s business. The southbound rush will be experienced to-mor-row. Bookings are heavier than usual and the trains consist of some 16 carriages. Allowing 40 persons to each it will be seen that some 10,000 people will be passing through Palmerston North by rail during the 24 hours ending at midnight to-night. Indications are that to-morrow will be an equally busy day. CHRISTMAS TREATS. In addition to the Christmas treat aranged for children of returned soldiers, reference to which was made yesterday, the Palmerston North Fire Brigade has again arranged for Father Christmas to visit the homes of firemen and distribute presents to the children. Behind the brick walls of the station there is a festive atmosphere, firemen being engaged to-day decorating the messroom .in readiness for the special Christmas dinner on Sunday evening.