THIS YEAR'S HOLIDAYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10319, 19 December 1896, Page 1 (Supplement)

THIS YEAR'S HOLIDAYS

AUCKLAND FILLING UP. THOUSANDS OF VISITORS EXPECTED. As with most other things, tho keeping of Christmas is very much a matter of climate. In the old country it is the season when everybody makes for home, and pacred are the reunions which tako place around the paternal hearth. Hero climate tempts everyone out of doors. It's very enjoyable when frost is in tho air and snow lis on the ground to draw together tho curtains and, "over the walnuts and the wine," reunite. But'such sentiment lias perforco to go to the wall, or, rather, out of doors, when the thermometer registers above summer heat, and flannels are more comfortablo than furs. Here, the ""holly, mistletoe, and fir give place to thn aub-tropicalnikau, tree fern,and pohutukawa—antipodean representatives of pagan and prehistoric garlanding. To us Christmas is a holiday, though perhaps none tho loss ft holyday in that parent meets child and child returns for a time to tho parental roof to go oub into tho world again for'a year all tho bettor for having renewed tho freshness of remembrance of the old home life. Of the assumed decadence of this life thero has been much talk of late; bub it exists, and in many a spot flourishes as vigorously as under tho roof trees of the old homo land. Still, here wo do go abroad. And judging by present appearuncos wo shall be more abroad than ever this year. Times have been good ; country life is dull, and already visitors are pouring into Auckland for the holidays. Where all are going to find accommodation is a problem each will havo to settle for himself. Taking the city alone it is computed on tho best authority that the licensed hotels can "bed" 1500 persons, while the boardinghouses can accommodate pretty well as many more. Already both hotels and boardinghouses are 'filling up fast, and there is every prospect of tho holidays proving one of the liveliest ever spent hero. Last year the railway trains carried, on the Auckland section., no loss than 34,704 passengers. That was 7.000 more than in tho previous year. During tho coming holidays the railway authorities estimate that the numbers will reach 50,000—a big jump in the estimates, but one which apparently is fully warranted in the event of the weather " keeping up." It is worth noting that from tho 21st December to the 2nd January, railvmy tickoU will bo issued from any station to any station at '2d a mile first-class, mid Id a mile

second, these being available for return up to the 2nd February. Travelling, therefore, will be cheap-as cheap, in fact, as in tlio lowest Parliamentary trains in England. A large influx of the mining community is expected, and on Christmas Eve a special train will be run from Paeroa and Cambridge. Arrangements have also been made for a marketing train on Christmas Eve for the western suburbs as far as Avondale, and to and from Onehunga. People will be able to get away from town as well as into town. The Northern Steamship Company and other carriers by water are laying themselves out to cope with large traffic, so that Auckland stands every chance of being full up. And for those who come there will be no lack of means of onjoyment. The myriad beauty spots around will all be specially accessible; for tho sport inclined there are the races ; music lovers will have the opportunity of hearing the world-famed cantatrice, Mile. Trebelli; while for the dramatically inclined Mrs. Brown-Potter and Mr. Kyrle;Bellew will eater. Rarely ever has there been here so many attractions and such means of availing oneself of them. Thus, given the weather, Auckland's Christmas should be of the merriest) and the opening of the New Year of the happiest.