COMING OF EASTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19607, 8 April 1927, Page 13

COMING OF EASTER.

UTILISING THE HOLIDAY. MANY LEAVING AUCKLAND. POPULARITY OF MARRIAGES. The Easter season is now only a week away, arid many people are considering how they will spend the few days' holiday. For most business tpeople the Easter respite begins on Good Friday and terminates on Monday, work resuming on Tuesday. Members of the legal profession, however, are more fortunate, for their offices will be closed for ten days. The holiday for the banks extends to the Tuesday. Judging by the bookings already made at the local office of the Tourist Department a large number intend to go away from Auckland. Rotorua, Wairakei and Taupo are almost fully booked, while bookings have also been made for Russell and other North Auckland resorts. Most of the tours are limited to a few days. Owing to an early break in the weather, Easter bookings are not as heavy as they were last year. Another probable reason is financial stringency. Easter is a favourite time for marriages, and this Easter will hold its own, judging by the number who have already obtained licences at the office of the Registrar of Births, Deaths arid Marriages. On Monday 16 licences were granted, three times the average normal number. On Tuesday, eight were granted, on Wednesday 12, and yesterday six. So far this month 52 licences have been granted. An official at the registrar's office stated that December was perhaps tho most popular month, but Easter week was also tho occasion for a large number of marriages. Hand in hand with Easter go many quaint customs. Among these is tho waning popularity of the Easter egg. At one time children thought Easter was not complete without an Easter egg, but now, it is stated, the custom is not so popular. And there is ,the Hot Cross Bun, hundreds of which will bo sold in Auckland next Thursday. For those who stay in Auckland, many attractions will be provided, including the - Auckland Racing Club's popular autumn meeting at Ellerslio. Many yachts and launches are expected to make their last long cruises of the season, visiting the sheltered bays and inlets of the Hauraki Gulf.