CALL OF SUMMER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22287, 9 December 1935, Page 13

CALL OF SUMMER

WEEK-END IN AUCKLAND

EXODUS FROM CITY

SCENES AT THE BEACHES

Tho arrival of summer was welcomed at the week-end by Auoklanders, who sought the sunshine and open air in thousands. On Saturday afternoon and yesterday the beaches near the city were thronged and streams of motor traffic passed along the highways leading to picnic and camping grounds away from the hot pavements of the city. It was ttie first whole-hearted acceptance of summer conditions, delayed this year by unseasonable weather.

With the apparent assurance of settled conditions last week many economical owners of motor-cars which bad been laid up for tho winter registered their vehicles and gave them an overhaul. As a result a large number of old and tried cars was seen on the road at the week-end, many of them laden with camping gear and other impedimenta associated with a summer outing. Numerous new cars also were seen, reflecting the optimism of better times. Busy Sorvice Stations The outward traffic on such routes as the Great South Road was at certain periods the greatest experienced for some time, and service stations were exceptionally busy in performing the last ritesi which cautious motorists demand before leaving the city behind. One service station proprietor was so busy that he had to keep his staff on duty during the week-end. Until late last :night homecoming cars were seen speeding or rattling their way back, according to their age and constitution, some of them covered with dust and weighted with sun-burned passengers. In the course of Saturday afternoon lightly overcast conditions gave welcome protection from the sun to players of strenuous outdoor games, such as tennis, but the day remained pleasantlv warm. Yesterday the sun shone all clay. On both days sellers of ice cream and cooling drinks did good business, especially at the beaches and other places where the public congregated. Zoo and Beach Crowds The Tace meeting at Avondale on Saturday attracted a substantial crowd, and bowlers and other devotees of outdoor sport enjoyed their games under pleasant conditions. Many family parties were seen at the 7.00 on both days, the attraction of the animals in their pleasant surroundings being a never failing one, especially in fine weather. Auckland's wonderfid asset in its beaches was well demonstrated by the crowds which spent the week-end picnicking beside the water and swimming and sunbathing in carefree holiday mood. Tho popular beaches of Mission Bay, Kohimarama, St. Heliers, Cheltenham, Takapuna and Milford were scenes of animation and colour, especially yesterday, when families had the whole' day for to spend out of doors. The approaches to the water were lined with motor-cars, some of the owners of which had rigged tents to give them protection from the sun. Ferry boats were kept busy transporting trippers to the North Shore and bringing them homo again tired, but happy, and the white sails of yachts, especially on Saturday afternoon, when they were setting out for the Gulf in great made the harbour a picture of rare beauty. Many sails were dotted on the waters of the harbour also yesterday, and a fine spectacle wa3 witnessed when a scow,' with all sails set, overshadowing the nearer • yachts, heat up the harbour in a useful breeze. Sun-Bathing Enthusiasts

Seekers after sun tan seemed as usual to be more numerous than the actual bathers, and many were the ominous pink patches seen on the otherwise white bodies of enthusiasts. Inflated rubber lifebelts and similar contrivances painted in gay colours, bright bathing suits and towels enlivened the panorama of the beaches. Colour this year seems even to have influenced the ice cream maker's art more than ever before, so that whatever the colour of the bathing suit it was apparently possible to secure refreshment to match.

Children played on the beacheß in hundreds, sturdy youngsters developing skins of golden brown that delight the eye. A few cautious fathers, perhaps making heavy weather of parental responsibility, rolled up their trouser legs and paddled, but the majority of pnrents, in whole-hearted Auckland fashion, donned bathing dress and splashed as- merrily as the children who accompanied them.