CHRISTMAS IN SIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18897, 20 December 1924, Page 16

CHRISTMAS IN SIGHT.

i THE SEASON OF GIVING. I j f BUSY DAYS IN THE CITY. , ATTRACTIVE SHOP . DISPLAYS. i _______ i ' 'Auckland city has now donned its gala dress, and the stage is sot for tho pageant of Christmas. The concentration of Christmas trade has brought a steady influx of visitors to the city, and these ; country friends, mingling with the city crowds, fill the streets throughout tho day with an eager, bustling throng. Not only has the rising tide of Dominion prosperity cheered the heart of the man on the farm —it has brightened the retailer's outlook, and given assurance of a Yuletide of old-time brightness and briskness of trade. Money is circulating freely, and the turnover between now and Christmas will doubtless wreathe tho faces of shopkeepers and tradesmen with true Christmas smiles. The season of giving finds the retailers and business houses generally well prepared for all demands. Gift articles in profusion are liberally and attractively displayed in shop windows throughout tho city and suburbs. Never has choicer assortment been offered. "Everything for the holidays" might well be taken as the motto of Auckland shopkeepers these days. Everything for campers, from a seaside section to a corkscrew, is to be procured; Santa Claus himself might well replenish his Toyland stocks direct from Auckland shops, while. , as for summer-time raiment, Christmas fare, holiday reading, shop windows invite and beckon all with their alluring displays. Those who are leaving their Christmas shopping to tho last few days before the holidays are advised once agas.n to delay no longer. Better service is assured by shopping in time, and the heat and rush of eleventh-hour Christmas buying is obviated. Those who read carefully through the many suggestions for Christmas giving included on this page arc advised to make their gift selection at once, and. then to put it into effect without delay.

[_ WONDERFUL WAIRAKEI. INTERNATIONAL FAME. TOURISTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. It is a strango thing that many New Zealanders have yet to visit the thermal regions of their own country, while every year thousands make the pilgrimage from the other side of the world. The wonders of Wairakci (which is the heart of the thermal region) are great enough to draw visitors from fivo continents, and many A.ucklanders living a day's journey away have missed seeing the world's greatest thermal wonders. The trip can now bo made from Auckland to Wairakei in one day by leaving the Rotorua train tA Futarum and taking the special service car tight through to Wairakei. Wairakei is the centre of our thermal attractions: it includes tho Geyser Valley, which alone contains 20 distinct sights, the Waiora Valley with its coloured lakelets, the Karapiti Blowhole, the most, wonderful steam blowhole in the world, ." the Huka Falls and Aratiatia Rapids, famed for their beauty, Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand, with -views of the mountains, Ruapehu and Tongariro, and many other world wonders. A travel ticket is now issued, which includes rail and Auckland-Wairakei returnall Wairakei sights and guide fees —everything necessary right back to Auckland for £5, or return via Rotorua, including Rotorua side trips to sights for £8, or vice versa. A reduced hotel tariff is granted to travellers holding these tickets. The tourist bureau handling this popular round trip is situated at 89, Shortland Street, Auckland, at the office of A. S. Graham, from whom full particulars and bookings may bo obtained. H<re is an opportunity that should not; be missed of viewing Nature's grand natural phenomena,' where geysers play with, unfailing regularity. Enjoy the enchantment of plunging into huge hot-water swimming pools, and, within a mile of the hotel, angle for rainbow trout from the banKs of . the beautiful Waikato River. This most wonderful . trip in ; the world, which overseas tourists gladly pay hundreds of pounds to come and see, can bo taken by anyone in Auckland as stated above. Call early at the Tourist Bureau, 89, Shortland Street, and make the necessary arrangements. i'i' MODERN MANTELPIECES. OAK, OREGON, AND RIMU. T. ALMOND, 82-84, HOBSON STREET. The right kind of mantelpiece gives attractive finish to the well-appointed home. . Mr. T. Almond provides an excellent choice at his premises at 82-84, Hobson Street, City. An expert artisan with an artistic sense of the beautiful, i Mr. Almond will be able' to please the I most fastidious of builders and house fur- | nishers. All the mantelpieces on view at his premises aro attractive, but most I people will give pride of place to those that aro fitted with charming leadlight j cabinets of most excellent design. Twelve ■ years experience of Auckland's | requirements goes to the making of a i mantelpiece at Mr. Almond's factory, and j the result to-day shows very clearly that nothing has been overlooked in tho mat- | ter of keeping in line with modern j styles and standards of design and manu- | facture. If there is any secret about this j manufacturer's success, it must obviously lie in the fact that only tlio best of I material is used in the construction of j modern mantelpieces for the building trade of, a progressive city. Those on display are well worth inspection before anyone commits himself to an order elsewhere. There are many attractive dosigns executed in heart of oak, selected Oregon, and beautifully marked rimu. In each case the finish is such as to give a crown of comfort and quiet beauty to a well-furnished fireside. ,'• ALLDEN'S CROCKERY SHOP. ; NEW BUSINESS PREMISES. . SPLENDID XMAS STOCKS. With the completion of extensive j alterations to his shop premises, giving greatly increased floor space, and fine window display, A Helen's crockery .-.hop has emerged from the chrysalis stage, and is now one of Karangahape Road's bri'ditest soot?. The shelves are well stocked with all that is the latest, combined with good quality, and there aro many fine lines in glassware, art china' and Do-dton suitable for Xrnas presents. Mr. Allden is a direct importer from the Home manufacturers, and he slates that the quality this year is better than last, while the prices are easier, thus demonstrating that the post-war period of rough and tumble manufacture to make up orders long overdue has passed, and' manufacturers are settling down to produce tho best that can be made. Those desiring household crockery should pay a visit to Allden's, where civilitv is assured and ' nobody is asked to buy. The additional showroom space is a great advantage. In addition to crockery and glassware, Mr. Allden lias a fine selection of fancy goods and leather ware, ""table for festive season presents. Those m search of gifts should not wait until the last moment. They should make, their selection in good time in order to avoid the rush that as a rule characterises Christmas ive shopping.

NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRY. WORK DONE BY HEFFERNAN AND COMPANY. "OUR GOODS OUR ADVERTISEMENT." As an example of what can be done in the steel and foundry line in New Zealand, a visit to tho factory of The Great Northern Foundry or M. B. Heffernan and Company, of 57, Lorno Street, is a real eye-opener. In this factory is turned out work that can bear comparison with any of its kind done in the world. The whole thing can bo summed up in the words of the director, when ho said, "our worS is our advertisement." And let it bo said that tho work of tins firm is the best advertisement it could possibly have. Thero are twenty-two experts working in tho spacious factory and tho success attained by this firm has all come about during the past two years, sinco it was established. Tho factory is equipped with the latest plant, all British, and the latest facilities are provided -for tho workmen. Just recently installed was tho very latest make of pneumatic rivetting plant, which is employed for tho manufacture of girders, etc. All manner of work is turned out in the factory, and the output is a large one. Boilers, bridge equipment, steel roofs, steel fencing, wireless aerials, verandahs, girders, gates and fences are all made. Forging and acetone-welding is also done on tho premises. Heffernan and Company havo been getting orders for some of the best jobs, and on every occasion entire satisfaction has been expressed with the work done. A special point is made to see that the quality of the article turned out is second to none. If success depends on results, then the results of work done by Heffernan and Company is 100 per cent. There have been no complaints sinco the firm started. Orders will be executed from any part !of New Zealand. The delivery system is first rate, and many times tho proprietors have been complimented upon the expeditious delivery of goods. Finally, Heffernan and Company is entirely a New Zealand firm, and a firm that New Zealand should bo proud of. STORY OF PROGRESS. THE VACUUM CLEANING ROMANCE A , BOON TO HOUSEWIVES. •» ■ Perhaps there is no industry in NewZealand that has such an enviabla record as has that carried dn by tho Vacuum Cleaning Company of New Zealand. Joseph Lewis introduced the vacuum cleaning system to this country in 1908 when he commenced business in j Wellington. Almost at once peoplo recognised the value of vacuum cleaning, and the business went ahead rapidly. Mr. Lewis has received offers to organise .vacuum cleaning In Australia and also to go to London to take charge of the cleaning department of tho British Vacuum Cleaner Co. But ho states that ho will not leave this country. In Juno of last year Mr. Lewis camo 'to Auckland to take charge of tho business here, which had previously been neglected. When he arrived hero thero was not enough work coming in to keep ono man going. But Mr. Lewis's wonderful business ability and activity had done wonders in tho interim. Fifteen men aro nowkept constantly going. Three machines are also used, and one van. This is in- \ deed a wonderful testimonial for tlio I vacuum cleaning system, and in addition I a wonderful story of progress. People havo como to recognise the value of ' vacuum cleaning, and it has come to stay. The Vacuum Cleaning Company of New Zealand has its Auckland offices in Hellaby's Buildings, opposite to the G.P.0., while the new and up-to-date factory is situated on tho corner of Dominion Road, and New North Road. The factory is fitted with eight plate glass windows so that peoplo may seo their goods in tho process of being cleaned. Tho Vacuum Cleaning Companv undertakes general cleaning, foor * cleaning, and anything in the way of renovation. The day of tho scrubbing brush is over for this company employs a new method that obviates scrubbing. No water is used, and no dust occasioned, while the lines or the floors treated always havo a fresh and clean appearance. 'This now cleaning method is 100 per cent, improvement on tho old. And now for the advantages of tho vacuum cleaning system. The carpets treated aro absolutely free of any particlo oi dust or dirt. It. removes germs and | moths and dust is "sucked" out of tho | carpets drapery and upholstery. It imparts new life to carpets, curtains and coverings. The ordinary household cleaner removes the surface dirt from carpets, but for cleanliness it is absolutely essential to have them treated by tho vacuum system at least once a year. The charges of tho Vacuum Cleaning Company of New Zealand are low and the service prompt and efficient. Trices and particulars will bo supplied upoiii upplil cation.