CHRISTMAS EVE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIII, Issue 22, 24 December 1942, Page 4

CHRISTMAS EVE

UNSETTLED WEATHER

A BUSY PERIOD The break in the weather in the early hours of to-day presaged a dull Christmas Eve, and with heavy showers continuing at intervals the prospects for a fine day were not bright. In the late morning, however, conditions improved, although a boisterous 'wind blew. The permit system has made a big difference in long-distance travelling on the railways. Through Palmerston North rail traffic has been very heavy but it would appear that most people travelled early and the usual Christmas Eve rush was not so great as expected. Trains from nearby towns brought big crowds to the city this morning and several special trains are being run from Palmerston North this evening. People are spending freely and the business area has been thronged. The tempo increased, as the day wore on, with last-minute shoppers appearing. The picturesque custom of carol singing in the wards of the Palmerston North Hospital will again be carried out by the nurses, and to-morrow there will be a Christmas tree for the children. The Peturned Services Association is resuming this year the distribution of gifts to the children of members and it is expected that about 350 homes will be visited to-morrow morning. It is understood that the majority of factory and other employees will have a break of about 10 days, as most awards provide for a full week in addition to the statutory holidays.Many more building operatives will be free, the holiday period to be observed by the trade extending from December 24 until January 4. Tradesmen and assistants employed' on a few pressing jobs may have to be content with the three statutory holidays. The holidays for engineering workers, especially those engaged on urgent war undertakings, have not yet been determined, and in some branches of the industry the men may bo called upon to work, without a break, says a city report. In others Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day may be the only holidays. "Workers in the freezing industry will also have a brief respite, the arrangements being for a two days' break at Christinas and New Yoar.This is the usual procedure in freezing works, which are daily handling thousands of lambs and other stock at this time of the year.

CHRISTMAS DINNER MENU.

In the Wellington area of the Central Military District everything is being issued to enable unit quarter- | masters to put on the following I Christmas dinner: Lamb and mint sauce; new potatoes, green peas, and other available vegetables; tinned 1 fruits for fruit salad; fresh fruit, including peaches, plums, and possibly apples; fresh cream (fifth of a pint a man); jellies; custard and blanc mange; lime juice. In addition to the grants already mentioned, | regimental funds will also be drawn on to assist in making the fare approIpriate to the occasion. Regimental funds are largely drawn from the .canteen profits. Santa Claus, in the person of Mr A. W: Chapman, with Mrs W. Watson and party, was a visitor at the Awapuni Home last evening. On their arrival Mrs Watson and Santa Claus visited all the bed patients, distributing gifts. Each inmate received a .gift from the Christmas tree as well. Items given by the visitors were enjoyed and at the conclusion of the party Mrs Trelease. on behalf of the patients, presented Mrs Watson with a bouquet and Mr P. Smith asked her to accept a present as a mark of appreciation from the inmates. Mrs Watson presented the home with a handsome cake and also gave one to Miss D. Wright (matron) and ono to Santa Claus. Mr McElhgat thanked the visitors for their very enjoyable party. i St. Joseph lilies, hydrangeas, and 'gladioli backed with copper beech, |have transformed ,the lounge, hall, and canteen of the A.N.A. Club in I Broadway into a bower of flowers for Christmas. This is the artiste work of the decorations committee, Mesdames N. D. Stubbs, T. P. Hart, and H. Scott, and the result of their efforts is a joy to see.