THE NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10018, 3 January 1896, Page 5

THE NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAYS.

More glorious weather could not have been wished for than prevailed for the New Year's holidays. Business, of course, was entirely suspended, and both on Wednesday and yesterday the city was practically deserted until the evening, when the streets were thronged witlt returning holiday-makers. Almost everyone appeared to have spent the holidays in the open air. Not a vehicle of any description, publio or private, appearod to nave been left unutilised. Scarcely ever have there been such crowds at Ellersllo races; the traffic along the roads leading to the ranges and other favourite resorts of picnickers was very heavy, and the ferry and pleasure fleet plying to the various parts of the harbour was kept continuously employed from early morning till lato at night. WATER EXCURSIONS. The water excursions were all very largely patronised both on Wednesday ana Thursday ; in some oases, on the former day, a large number having to be refused passages. It is estimated that a considerable number more travelled by water than has been the case for some years past. It speaks highly for the management of the several steamship companies interested that not a single accident was reported on both days in the carrying to and fro of such a large number of people, the larger proportion being women ana children, 'lhe Northern Co.'s s.s. Clansman wenl to Mahurangi Heads both days, the Wellington to Waiwera on Wednesday, and the Gairloch to the same place on Thursday; the Argyle to Ruth's Island; the Rose Casey to Putikl Bay: the Stella, Invincible, § an* Wattoa, to Pine Island, and the Vivid to Riverhead. The steamers of the Devonport Ferry Company were all busily engaged on both days running to Lake Takapuna, St. Heliers Bay, Devonport, and Northoote. .-< The Nautilus made excursion trips to Raugitoto and the fishing grounds. ■ % . The Waitoa made .an excursion trip to Wairoa South on New Year's Day, many taking the opportunity to view the scenery of -;;; this pretty winding river. 5 A programme of .• sports was oarried out in Thorpe's Paddook, . the various events being spiritedly contested. In theevsning there was a plain and fancy • : v dress bull in the ball, a large Dumber of town - yaohtsmen, whose craft lay at anchor m m ..;,-;; river, being among those present, :, s- -.'.£<; ;„••' s| \ .: