FINE HOLIDAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25086, 27 December 1944, Page 4

FINE HOLIDAY

VARIETY OF ATTRACTIONS

BEACHES NOT VERY POPULAR Although the weather was at times overcast and threatening yesterdav it kept fine throughout the day, enablin* the wide variety of Boxing Day sporting engagements to be carried through under favourable conditions. Ellerslie Racecourse, where the Auckland Racing Club held the first day of its Summer Meeting, was naturally the chief centre of attraction, and an attendance of 45.000 was recorded.

The cricket match between the Waikato Association and the Auckland City and Suburban Association representatives was completed in the Domain and resulted in a win for the visitors. The Auckland Bowling Centre began its annual Christmas tourney on ten greens, where the Christmas'fours were contested. The tournament is expected to last for the remainder of the week. The annual handicap tournament of tlie Auckland Lawn Tennis Association, which began on Saturday, was advanced to the final stages and will be concluded today. A cold south-easterly breeze iand a cloudy sky made the beaches unattractive to most people in spite of a suitable tide, and there was no exceptional traffic to the seaside resorts. The harbour ferry boats experienced just an average holiday demand, but two special trips to Waiheke Island proved very popular. Rain was never far off during the day and this led many people to favour indoor entertainment. The picture theatres were well patronised at all sessions.

LOCAL AND GENEEAL Western SprlngftiTransit Camp Five more fiats are being added to the City Council's transit camp at Western Springs. Because the'council 110 longer has to provide a proportion of the residents' meals, it has oecomo possible to convert, the communal din-ing-room into additional living space. Attempted Burglary

Breaking into the premises of A. B. Donald. Ltd., merchants. 89 Customs Street West, during the Christmas holiday period, burglars made an unsuccessful attempt to blow -open a safe. They went away empty-handed, as the explosion jammed the safe door. The discovery was made yesterday morning when members of the 6taff arrived for the early markets.

Empty Carriages Two first class carriages on the limited express were empty wlibnithe train left Auckland last night. The two other first-class and the seven secondclass carriages on the train were nearly full. Tt is possible that all carriages would be occupied after the train left Frankton. Accommodation is still, available on some Main Trunk trains which are leaving Auckland during the next two weeks. Refreshments at Ellerslie

The restoration of buildings on the Ellerslie racecourse which have been in use for some time as part of a military hospital allowed the reopening of the bars and tearooms for the convenience of racegoers yesterday. The only military buildings remaining on the racecourse are those used as a casualty clearing station behind the St. Leger stand. Business at the bars, and tearooms was brisk all day. Pohutukawas In Flower

New Zealand's famous pohutukawas have this year maintained their reputation as Christmas trees by putting on a lavish display during the holiday period. Many Auckland beaches have been brightened by masses of their distinctive dark red flowers, while specimens in public parks have added a touch of colour to the scene. There have been several Christmases in recent times when adverse weather has delayed the pohutukawas' flowering until after the holiday period. Cricketers' Lean Christmas r

While sporting enthusiasts generally have had a feast of entertainment over the Christmas holidays, cricket followers have been bewailing the. lean fare provided for them in Auckland, folof tennis, bowling and racing have had much to interest them, hut with the exception of one game at the Domain the cricketing fans had nothing to engage their attention. However, they may find ample compensation during the New Year week-end, when senior and junior inter-provincial games will be staged concurrently at Eden Park. Access to Wharves

In spite of a ruling that the Wellington wharves are to remain closed to tho public for security reasons, further representations are to be made by tn p Wellington Harbour Board to naye a certain portion of them made available to the public. The chairman. Mr W H. Price, reported that they had taken the question up with the Commissioner or Police and representations had _o een made to the Vital Points Committee, which had decided that the rstrictions should continue except in so far-.as the? applied to the arrival and departure or the inter-island ferry steamers. W. Appleton said many of the present! restrictions were just too silly 'r words. It was pointed out that restrictions were in force in Auckland ana Dunedin.

First Mount Cook Ascent Christmas Day, 1944, marked a mi' fl " stone in the history of New Zealan alpine adventure, for it was on Chris ' mas Day 50 years ago that Mount too was first conquered by a party or vow* New Zealanders. The conquest of Mou Cook was a great stimulus to mount® * eering and, although, .like other sporit has had its lean years, the call the mountains -has a- strong hold tough, adventurous New Zea who now spend innumerable li°' ! "V among the snow-capped peaks of . Southern Alps. In the earlv n" ie . Mount Cook was the focus of atte" of climbers from all over the worKi. », it fell to three New Zealanders l '. 0 Fyfe, G. Graham and .T. C ,ark JKj make the ascent;in the fa(!e ora■ ;£ challenge from the English -clinioe A.- Fitzgerald*