THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17348, 20 December 1919, Page 8

THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

CONDITIONS IN AUCKLAND. ATMOSPHERE OF GAIETY. Christmas in Auckland promises to be more normal than has been the case for six years. Although the war was over last December, the country was still saddened by the toll of the epidemic, which had subsided only about the end of November, but happily this season will be observed with no cloud to mar the generagaiety. The shops are thronged with eager purchasers, indicating that the uppermost thought is genuinely seasonable. The school children, released from studies, lend an unusually animated appearance to the streets, and add to the general hustle and activity in the toy sections of the stores, while Father Christmas, in flowing robes and with venerable features, is a conspicuous object in several establishments. The retailers report that money is being spent freely, and everything indi- | cates a business equal to, if not an actual ! record. The drapers, grocers, boot.and shoe retailers, as well as a number of other .businesses, will close their shops on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of Christmas week, and on the same days in the followweek. The Auckland Stock Exchange closed yesterday, and will not re-open until the morning of Wednesday, Janaury 7. The banks will be closed on December 25, 26, and 27, and on January 1, 2 and 3.