BOXING DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13370, 27 December 1906, Page 5

BOXING DAY.

THE OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS,

TRAFFIC BY TRAIN, TRAM., AND

STEAMER.

RECORD NUMBERS

Boxing Day in Auckland is the picnic day Of the year, and yesterday, with superb weather in their favour, the townspeople turned out en masse, and the city itself was almost deserted during the afternoon. *' In the morning and evening, however, at the times of the departure and arrival of excursions, there were gay crowds hurrying to and fro, and probably the exodus was the greatest on record. Exceptionally heavy traffic experienced by the Ferry Company and the Northern Steamship Company, and it is safe to say that threefourths of the population of city and suburgs went out "on picnic" yesterday. The city gave itself up. to whole-hearted, straight-out, good holiday enjoyment, and managed to find plenty of it. It was natural that with such a, beautiful harbour as the Waitemata, with its innumerable bays and pleasure resorts, that Aucklanders should take full advantage of the various excursions. The Devonport Ferry Company catered for its patrons very thoroughly, and their full fleet of 15 ferry boats; besides ' four ' belonging to Settlers' Steamship Company, were requisitioned for the enormous water traffic. From about seven o'clock in the morning till late in the afternoon excursionists were on the way to and from the various resorts, and if is estimated that fully 25,000 people were carried by the Ferry Company during the day. That popular resort, Home Bay, Motutapu, was visited by a very large number of excursionists, and the beach and grounds were a picture of moving humanity. Besides the general public, the picnics of the 'Methodist and Central Missions, the Salvation Army (city corps), Church of Christ, \ and Primitive Methodists, were held at Motutapu. The beauties of LukeTakapnnaat- I tracted a large number of people, and the Good Templars and Newton corps of the Salvation Army held their annual picnics there. The scene at St. Heliers Bay was a lively and animated one, the large beach being packed with people all day, and, as the water was warm and the tide good for the major portion of the day, bathing formed an important item in the day's outing. Picnic parties were scattered all along the beach and other available spots. The Paruell corps of the Salvation Army also held their annual outing at St. Heliers Bay. The climbing of Rangitoto appealed to a fair number of people, "while fishing enthusiasts to the number of about 100 went out to the fishing grounds in the s.s. Durham, and had fair sport, a shark being among the catch. While the major portion of excursionists went to the more distant places by water in the morning, very large numbers visited North Shore in the afternoon, and the carrying capacity of the boats was for a time fully taxed. Cheltenham Beach attracted a large crowd, and, as there was a good tide in the afternoon, the scene was a very fine one, with the hundreds of women and children enjoying themselves on the beach and in the water. The total yesterday is believed to be a record for any one day for the Ferry Company, but the large traffic was managed in the most .expeditious manner, . the company being able to run a frequent service, and thus preventing any undue block, crowding, or «.delay*,.and as no accident of any kind, .occurred during the day the secretary (Mr. F. Bushill) and the company's employees are to be complimented on their management of the enormous crowds. r\

Among other public picnics which took * place were the Franklin Road Sundayschool to Awaroa Bay, the Tabernacle Church and Sunday-school Co Man-of-war Bay.

The Northern Steamship Company's vessels were also well patronised. The Wakatere conveyed about 1200 passengers to Cowes Bay, Waiheke, and these spent a delightful time, thoroughly enjoying the beautiful bush scenery. Waiwera was also -well patronised, 4he -«gapuhi conveying about 900. The company's boats also conveyed large numbers to Ponui and Mahurangi, and all the arrangements were satisfactory. ' The Railway Department carried its full ' complement of excursionists yesterday, and if the traffic keeps up this year's holidays should show a record for the Auckland lines. Yesterday the Department conveyed about 6003 people to the races at Ellerslie. The mail, train in the morning took away 63 for Rotorua, while 16 booked for Cambridge, about 20 for Te Aroha, about 40 for Manure and 20 for Papakura. ~ The Department also conveyed about 160 people to Henderson, where a Bible-class encampment is being held. The carrying capacity of the Auckland " Tramways Company was taxed to its utmost again yesterday, and the cars were filled with people proceeding from or returning to their homes. Large numbers, were carried to the races at Ellerslie, and in the morning and early.in the afternoon the special cars and those on the Remueiu route were taxed to their utmost. As anticipated, last Monday's figures for the Tramways Company have proved a record. Mr. Hansen informs us that 112,375 passengers were carried on that day. There -were 59 cars engaged during the major portion of the day, one of the new cars being added on Monday to the company's rolling stock. The previous record was on Decern-' her 24, last year, when 109,016 passengers were carried, with a less number of care. . IN THE SOUTH. [BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Napier, Wednesday. Tlsj weather for the holidays has been perfect. To-day the chief attractions for holiday-makers were the sports meetings at Farndon and Waipukurau, and the races at Petane. At Farndon Gilmour won the principal handicap, and V. C. Taylor the Waipukarau handicap. At the Petane • races, a meeting for district horses only, Donald Avon the Cup and Flying Stakes. Many country visitors spent the day at. the seashore, various small picnic parties lining the beach fronting the parade for upwards of a mile. New Plymouth, Wednesday. Business during the holiday week has been very good in all the provincial towns. It is said to be the beet Christmas Taranaki has ever experienced. Nelson, Wednesday. The holidays have passed off very pleasantly, the weather being good, and there have been a considerable number of visitors .in town. Wellington, Wednesday. The electric tramway receipts on Saturday totalled £416, a record for Wellington. The weather to-day was unpleasant Jot the holiday, a fierce nor'-wester blowing and rain threatening. The chief attractions : were the M.C.C. versus Wellington cricket match and an excursion to Picton. The railways were well patronised by people journeying to Palmerston North or Lower Valley races. DtJXEDiN. Wednesday. Capital weather prevailed for the holiday on Tuesday. To-day-rain fell in the morning, but the afternoon was bright though gusty. On both days sports' meetings were held at different places, drawing a considerable number of people from the city. The regatta at Port Chalmers to-day was very largely attended. . Timartj, Wednesday.

The weather for the holidays has been gloriously * The Caledonian gatherings at Te ; niuk* and Waima-te, and the country races at Fairlie were the principal attwtiQns.