SUMMER HOLIDAY

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

SUMMER HOLIDAY

BOXING DAY CROWDS FINE WEATHER CONDITIONS MANY OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS Tt has come to be regarded almost as the right of Aucklanders to spend Boxing Day out-of-doors, and a glorious summer day allowed thousands yesterday to observe fully and happily this holiday tradition. Only on four occasions in the past 21 years have there been really wet conditions in Auckland for Boxing Day. There is even a phrase, approaching classic dignity, in relation to "Ellerslie weather, but whether yesterday's lure was the race meeting, with its Royal patronage and brilliant parade of fashion, the sun-baked beaches or the bushclad hills, there was everything to make for a perfect day. The exodus of holiday-makeib began early. Transport officials, cheered to optimism by the early morning sunshine, made arrangements for dealing with increased traffic, and throughout the morning trams and buses, ferry boats and excursion steamers, bore happy crowds from the city. In addition, hundreds of people travelled by private car. Although detailed figures were not available yesterday, it was expected that the Boxing Day tram traffic would prove the heaviest for several years. The most important attraction of the day was the opening of the summer racing carnival at Ellerslie. Every Boxing Day tjie garden racecourse presents a colourful spectacle, as interesting for its crowds in a perfect setting as for the sport it provides. But yesterday was an even more notable occasion. The presence of the Duke of Gloucester acted as a magnet to many whose interest in racing is slight. The scene on the lawn was one of the most brilliant ever witnessed. The beaches, near and far, were thronged, and the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, which already have their complement of holiday visitors and shack-dwellers, all drew their eager crowds. For many it was probably a deceptive day. The sun had all its summer heat, but judging from appearances as the crowds came home last evening, there were many who must have been lulled into a sense of false security by the breeze which blew throughout the day. As a result there are bound to be countless burned shoulders and arms to-day. Other attractions in the city were the lawn tennis championships at Stanley Street, the Brabin Cup cricket match between Auckland and Wellington junior representatives, and games in the country week tournament at Eden Park, and the section play in the Auckland Bowling Centre's Christmas tournament on the club greens. In the cool of the evening there were other attractions. The Auckland Harbour Board's fireworks display, arranged in connection with the Prince's visit, drew large crowds to the eastern waterfront. Although fine weather militated against the traditional "showman's holiday," many people rounded off the day with visits to the city theatres, which appeared to be doing a brisk trade.