EASTER MONDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17141, 22 April 1919, Page 6

EASTER MONDAY.

HOLIDAY IN AUCKLAND.

FINE WEATHER GATHERINGS.

RACES, SPORTS, AND EXCURSIONS.

The somewhat variable, but generally fine weather which prevailed during the first part of the holiday season was again in evidence yesterday morning, but conditions brightened considerably as the day wore on, and enabled the citizens of Auckland to carry out their plans for the holiday under pleasant auspices. In consequent tho numerous outdoor gatherings that figure so prominently : .n all Easter Monday programmes, were largely patronised. " Tho Auckland Racing Club's Autumn Meeting was concluded at Ellerslie in the presence of a large gathering. The Auckland Bowling Centre's tournament was continued at the various city and suburban greens, and attracted large numbers of bowlers and their friends. Tho Auckland Golf Club's tournament was advanced a further stage at the club's links at Otahuhu, and the triangular cricket tests at tho Domain, under the auspices of the Suburban Cricket Association, were concluded. The various seaside resorts in the harbour and gulf were well patronjsed, the ferry steamers conveying those visiting the beaches in the harbmir, while tho Northern Company's steamers carried excursionists to resorts farther away. During the evening the streets were thronged with visitors and holidaymakers returning home, while the theatres and other places of amusement were liberally patronised. The railway traffic during the day was not very heavy, none of the ordinary trains carrying many passengers. In the evening the Main Trunk expresses were well filled with visitors from the country and other'" centres returning # to their homes. Tho special train service to Ellerelio was, as usual, largely patronised. The trains to the Ellerslie racecourse were very well patronised. The trains to tie course on Saturday carried 2400 fassengers, and over 3000 people were rought back, while yesterday the outward traffic total lee? 2700 passengers, 3400 reluming in the evening. These trains served greatly to relieve the conceetion which occurred las'. Easter season, when the running of race trains was discontinued, and the conveyance of racegoers to the course fell mainly or, the tramcars and taxi-cabs. The additional trains put on for the convenience of country people desirous of visiting Ellerelie were also well patronised. On Saturday the two trains from Mercer carried between them 450 passengers, while the Frankton train brought 400. me Kaipara and Henderson trains had 300 and 240 passengers respectively, the Papakura train having 750 travellers. The numbers brought in by the various trains yesterday were: Frankton 250, Mercer 160, Kaipara 240. Henderson POO: an-* Pastor- 500 WhJe the inward Main Trunk traffic immediately prior to tauter vw.s very heavy—the express arriving on Good Friday morning bringing 550 passengers—the outward traffic by that route is still comparatively light. The express which left at 7.10 o'clock last evening carried only 200 passengers, and had over 100 vacant seats. The express leaving at 7.40 p.m. was a full train, with 350 passengers, but 50 of these were for Frankton. The 8.4 C p.m. express for Palmerst<m North was very poorly patronised. To-day is being observed as a holiday by the banks, insurance, and legal offices, but the shops will be opened for business. The Auckland Bowling Centre's bowling tournament will be continued at the Carlton Club's green, where tho section winnew of the pairs championship compi&itior. will meet. _ The Auckland Golf Club's championship tournament also will be continned at the club's links, Otahuhu-. ■ « — MANY 'WSITOBS TO SOIOSVA. RETURNED SOLDIERS' SPORTS. [Br lEIEGBAFH.—-OWH COERESPONDENT. ROIWTTA, Monday. The Easter holdiay traffic in Rotori has been very satisfactory. The nurabi of visitors was so, large as to tax the a comraodation in the town to the utte most. The express train, which arrive from Auckland on Thursday evening, wi the largest which has entered Rotorn since the beginning of the war. It coi sisted of 11 carriages, and carried abot 500 passengers. The Feilding Salvatio Army Silver Band arrived in Rotorua o Friday afternoon, and gave a series < performances in aid of the Army So diers' Institute, the financial resnll being very satisfactory. Tho band ale participated in the procession and gyir khana. organised by returned soldiers a Arawn Park on Saturday. Tho gatherin was well attended, and a programme c races and other events, mostly of humorous character, was carried out. Th Third Auckland Regimental Band arrive on Friday evening and'played in the Gov ernment Gardens. The weather was fin throughout, though there was a col wind.