HOLIDAY MARRED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22392, 13 April 1936, Page 10

HOLIDAY MARRED

UNPLEASANT WEATHEE PROGRAMME FOR TO-DAY RACING AT ELLERSLIE . A succession of fine days was broken by light rain, tho first this month, which fell on Saturday afternoon and at intervals yesterday, marring the Easter week-end ior holiday-makers. Conditions were made particularly unpleasant for campers at the various East Coast bays, while visitors to the city had difficulty in occupying their time, as the driving rain made outdoor trips uninviting. On Saturday, however, conditions were rather more favourable, particularly in the earlier part of the day. In addition to races at Ellerslie, numerous sporting attractions were arranged, while many jx?ople visited the beaches or went for motor trips.

Fine weather was enjoyed elsewhere in the province during tlio week-end, according to reports received by the Automobile Association (Auckland). Light showers fell in Rotorua yesterday, but the weather in the thermal regions generally was fine and last night was clear and starlit. Motoring conditions generally were good. Light rain fell to the north of the city as far as Warkworth, but no trouble was caused motorists.

With an influx of visitors on Saturday for the races, hotel accommodation was fully booked, and most houses had to turn people away. Numbers of people arrived by the Monowai, but most had booked rooms in advance. Others, hwever, who had intended to leave for the South, landed too late to catch the limited express and had to go from one hotel to another seeking accommodation. A wide variety of attractions has been arranged for to-day, the principal ovent, of course, being the second day of the Auckland Racing Club's Autumn Meeting at Ellerslie. The Auckland provincial golf championships will be continued at Titirangi, while tournaments will be conducted at several other clubs. At Eden Park interest will centre in Auckland's attempt to overhaul North Auckland in the representatiye cricket match commenced last Saturday. Sports have been arranged at various country centres.

Special holiday programmes will bo presented at theatres, where matinees will be held in addition to the usual evening performances. There will be a wrestling contest in the Town Hall this evening between Harry Kent and Earl McCready.

EXCURSIONISTS' LONG TRIP CHRISTCHTJRCH TO AUCKLAND Tired, but cheerful, 306 people who had taken part in the Christchurch Corsair Club's excursion to Auckland, left for Wellington by special train last night after spending 15 hours in the city. When they arrive in Christchurch to-morrow morning, thoy will have travelled 918 miles by train and 348 miles by steamer on the longest week-end excursion trip yet held in New Zealand. Despite the wet weather, the visitors enjoyed their short stay in the city. Excellent advance arrangements had been made by the club committee, and the organiser, Mr. C. A. C. Frost, and no difficulty was experienced in obtaining meals. Some of the visitors were entertained by friends, others visited the Auckland Zoological Park and other places of interest, while many made trips across the harbour. The party left Christchurch on Good Friday by steamer and left Wellington at 2.3# p.m. on Saturday. The special train, which consisted of 11 carriages, arrived at Auckland at 6.33 a.m. yesterday. The refreshment rooms at the station were open, and the travellers enjoyed their breakfast after the long and tiring journey. Many people took the opportunity of having hot baths, and the barber's shop was crowded during the morning. Nearly two hours before the train was due to leave, a large number of the visitors had returned to the station. They were able to have supper at the refreshment rooms, and prepare for the journev in the train after the ordinary trains had left. The return trip wan made via Taranaki.

VISITORS TO EGMONT HUNDREDS OF CLIMBERS [bv telegraph—own correspondent] NEW PLYMOUTH, Sunday Probably 2000 people were on Mount Egmont during the past two or three days. The four hostels were unable to cope with those who wished to remain overnight on the mountain, and even the Syme Hut and the Tahurangi Hut, at about 5000 ft. altitude, have been crowded through the holidays. Casual visitors have flocked to the mountain on all four sides, and never bofore has an Easter season provided anything like the number of holiday visitors. Perfect weather has prevailed for many days, and climbs to the summit have been undertaken by hundreds of people. Many North Island tramping clubs are represented in parties staying on the mountain.