FINE LABOUR DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20084, 23 October 1928, Page 10

FINE LABOUR DAY.

SUNSHINE AFTER SHOWERS. FIRST HOLIDAY OF SUMMER. SPORTS AND EXCURSIONS. True to tradition, Labour Day in Auckland again suffered at the whim of the weather, but a morning of showers was succeeded by a full afternoon of summei sunshine, allowing yesterday s holiday plans and celebrations to bo proceeded with without serious hindrance. Undoubtedly tho morning's unpromising outlook persuaded many to jettison their holidav plans, but the braver spirits who disregarded the portents and ventured far afield in train, motor-car and ferry steamer were rewarded for their courugo. There was consolation in the reflection that tho weather was much moro propitious lhan on Labour Day a year ago, when all picnic excursions had to bo abandoned

Motutapu, Waiheke Island resorts and Pino Island were the most popular picnic places. About 1250 excursionists went to Motutapu, 1200 to Matiatia, Waiheke. and 700 to Pine Island. Tho regular services to Rangitoto, Surfdalo and other popular seaside resorts were also well pat ronised. With the noontido certainty of fine weather, many more picnickers ventured forth, (ho North Shore beaches being a strong lure to afternoon pleasure seekers.

Three special (rains to the YVaikato Hunt Club's meeting at Cambridge were well filled, but another excursion train to the Northland Trotting Club's meeting at Whangarei was only sparsely patron ised. On the suburban lines traffic was generally good. Labour at Play. The city's main attraction was the sports meeting conducted by tho Labour Day Celebration Committee at the Do main. Since 1922 tho day has been shorn of its main spectacular feature—the procession—and Labour Day's origin is now almost forgotten. It is now regarded as the forerunner of tho main summer holi days and good unionists these days give their undivided attention to planning a sports and picnic programme for the gen oral enjoyment, with particular regard for tho children. Every child who attended tho Domain gathering yesterday received a prize or present from tho treasure store of 3000 toys for free distribution. It is in the spring that the full beauty of tho Domain is revealed. Yesterday it. was a refreshing sight—a vivid background of green, against which speeding cyclists and extended runners fought the issue to the last yard in a series of splen-didly-contested races. Then in ono corner young dancers competed in Scotch reels. Irish jigs and nautical hornpipes, always one of the most colourful features of the day's events. Essentially a "free and easy" gathering, except for the seriously athletic side, the annual Labour Day sports is about tho nearest approach Auckland has to the picturesque English ftiir on the village green. Water Tempts the Hardy. Swimming tempted only the hardier holiday-makers. It was thought the municipal baths might Jjavo been ready for opening yesterday. Actually, those now desiring to batho at Shelly Beach may do so, and it is anticipated the Pnrnell baths will be available from to-morrow. Only an odd few sails were spread on tho harbonr yesterday. Most yachtsmen turned the day to account by putting tho finishing touches to their craft, preparatory to launching. Bowls, golf, tennis and cricket claimed the interest of sportsmen bent on the more strenuous celebration of Labour Day, the first one of its kind to benefit under tho summer time provisions. Theatres wero well patronised in tho evening. HEAVY RAIN AT THAMES. PROCESSION A BAN DONED. [BY T£LECiKA.rH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.J THAMES, Monday. A special Labour Day demonstration planned for to-day was abandoned at noon owing to heavy rain, after tho participants in tho procession had endured a severe drenching. Quantities of produco and other goods wore later sold in tho volunteer firo brigade social ball, tho proceeds being for the fund for tho purchase of a new motor reel.