CROWDS ON BEACHES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21993, 27 December 1934, Page 10

CROWDS ON BEACHES

HAPPY FAMILY PARTIES SUN BATHING POPULAR CHILDREN'S CAREFREE DAY Attracted by the fine weather, large crowds of Aucklanders spent Boxing Day at the beaches, Mission Bay and the North Shore being particularly popular. By about three o clock 250 cars were parked near Mission Bay, and several thousand people were doing their best to acquire the fashionable sun-tan. Tired fathers and mothers seemed to prefer, to doze under light awnings aild beach umbrellas while the younger folk splashed in the water and basked on the sand. Some small boys were making valiant efforts to induce two normally peaceful dogs to engage in warfare. However, the dogs seemed to be still feeling the after-effects of the remnants of Christmas joints and refused to fight. Small pneumatic lifebelts appeared to bo very popular, while a few floating mattresses were " launched." A brisk trade was carried on by the canoc-hii-ing establishment at Mission Bay, about two dozen of the gaily-painted, little craft being afloat most of the day. Shrieks were heard at frequent intervals as novices, unaccustomed to the tricky habits of canoes, managed to capsize. From the harbour beaches excellent views were obtained of the arrival in port of the Orient liner Oronsay. With the tide on the ebb during the afternoon most bathers preferred to lie in the sun on the hot sand, but countless small children stayed in the water for long periods. Some very red skins gave promise of some equally sore backs and shoulders in city shops and offices to-day.

There were also dozens of motor-cars at St. Heliers Bay and Orakei.

Large numbers of people spent the day at Takapuna, Milford, Mairangi, Brown's Boy, Deep Creek and other east coast beaches, and there were crowds at Narrow Neck, Cheltenham and Devonport. An added attraction at Devonport was a carnival at Windsor Park. There were numerous side shows at the carnival and tho children of Devonport had turned out in force to try their luck at the stalls. Ice-cream and popcorn vendors did exceptionally good business, and iced drinks also were much in demand. Late in the afternoon the passenger and vehicular ferries carried very heavy loads back to the city. Some long distances had apparently been covered by the dustv motor-cars on the vehicular ferries, tars of every type had been brought out for the holidays, ranging from the latest streamlined models to old and battered "veterans." Passengers on one of the ferry boats from Devonport to Auckland early last evening were amused to see a young man reclining on a pneumatic mattress, about 200 yards off the Devonport foreshore. and unconcernedly paddling his way toward Stanley Bay.