THE HOLIDAY PERIOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19292, 3 April 1926, Page 10

THE HOLIDAY PERIOD.

AUCKLAND ATTRACTIONS. MANY OUTDOOR SPORTS TO-DAY RACING OPENS AT EI.LERSLIE. The threat of wet weather to mar the Easter holidays hung above the heads of Aueklanders on Thursday and yesterday, but with the exception of a sharp downpour at about 7 o'clock on Thursday evening, the weather was tine. The sun shone fairly consistently yesterday, although a gusty wind blew from the southwest during the greater part of the day. This did not affect the various sporting fixtures, and there were large crowds out of doors. The Manukau bar proved unworkable on Thursday, but the heavy swell had subsided yesterday. The barometer registered 30.20 m. at a late hour last night and had a rising tendency. However, the weather forecast supplied last evening by Mr. H. M. Vincent, the Hkkalti'r special observer, predicted unsettled and showery weather, fine only at intervals. Special services were held in the churches yesterday. At St. Mary's Cathedral and other Anglican churches devotional services wero conducted from noon until 3 p.m. The principal outdoor attractions yesterday were the Auckland Bowling Cen trc's annual Easter tournament, t* representative cricket match between an Auckland team and an eleven chosen from the minor associations within the district, and the annual tournament of the Birkenhead.Nortlicote Tennis Club. The bowling and tennis tournaments will continue over the holidays, while the cricket match will conclude to-day. Parting of the Ways. Easter marks the parting of the ways as far as sports are concerned, and yesterday several football clubs held tho first practices of the season. Tho premier sporting event to-day will lie tiie opening of the Auckland Racing Club's autumn meeting at Ellerslie. This gathering has always attracted sportsmen from all parts of the Dominion, and if the fine weather continues the lawns should present a brilliant and animated scene to-day. Another important fixture to-day will be tho opening of the Auckland provincial golf championship tournament at the Middlemore links. A tournament will also be commenced at the Titirangi course. The Military Tourney. Other functions set down for to-day are tho military tourney of the Auckland Mounted Rifles Regiment at Cornwall Park, ari Association football match between the Y.M.C.A. teams of Wellington and Auckland at the Domain, the St. John Ambulance Association's competitions at tiie Domain, club rowing, and a regatta at Onetangi. Sports will be held at Dlandford Park in tho evening.

All the theatres in the city area were closed last evening, but some of the suburban borough councils granted permission to picture-houses in their districts to be open. For the remainder of the holiday season the theatres will prose special programmes.

Most of the shops will remain closed till Tuesday morning. The butchers and bakers will, however, open their premises this morning. To-morrow Easter Day services will be held in the churches.