KARANGAHAPE ROAD BLOCKED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20426, 30 November 1929, Page 16

KARANGAHAPE ROAD BLOCKED.

ARRIVAL OF SANTA CLAUS.

After that period of waiting, which seems almost endless to the child mind, Santa Claus, bringer of Christmas cheer and boundless gifts, arrived in Auckland yesterday to gladden thousands of happy children. His arrival was eagerly awaited and many hundreds of little.ones were present to see his stately carriage draw up at his future home at George Court's Store. Karangahape Road, and to meet him later at the reception which was held at Wonderland, on the third floor. The scene in Karangahape Road was a memorable one for the children, many of whom had waited with their parents for hours to see the arrival of the greatest figure in their lives. Mothers with their families lined the footpaths five and six deep, at the doors of George Court's was a solid throng, while in the roadway, on the safety zones, in motor-cars parked at the kerbs, and on opposite footpaths eager children craned forward, held high in the air by their mothers or pushed out to see the sight they had waited for so long. Shrill cries greeted the arrival of the patriarch, who arrived in state, drawn by the traditional four horses, and accompanied by fairies and other splendid attendants. The carriage drew up outside the store, and Santa Claus alighted amid the welcoming cries of the mass of people. Wending his way through the throng he immediately went to Wonderland, on the third floor, where he received in state all who wished to see him.

Wonderland, even without the presence of Father Christmas, is in itself sufficient to delight any child. Passing through the imposing gates, .the little ones found (hem salves in a fairyland of delight. Treading sawdust floors, reminiscent of the circus, they first passed Christmas trees for hoys and for girls, from which each child was handed a gift by a lovely fairy. They were then ushered to the throne by fairies to meet Santa Clans, who presented each little visitor with a balloon. From then 011 they were free to wander through Wonderland, passing a series of tableaux representing many familiar nursery rhymes, such as Jack and Jill, BoPeep, and Little Boy Blue, and gay music made the scene still happier A further source of delight was the Zoo, where rows of cages of clockwork animals menaced them with their life-like actions. Rant a Clans will continue to receive children every 'day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., while lie will remain until 9 p.m. every Friday. Admission to Wonderland is 6d, which entitles every visitor, including parents, to a full value 6d gift. Jn addition to the sights of Wonderland there is just outside a vast array of toys of all descriptions and prices to appeal to every child.—Advt.

AN APOLOGY. Father Christmas wishes to apologise to tKb many thousands of children who were unable to see htm arrive at George Court's yesterday, owing to the great crowd. He will be in. attendance in Wonderland at Geoj'go Court's evory day, from now on, from 10 a.m. till 5 pim., and to 9 p.m. on Friday nights.