LABOUR DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11657, 23 October 1923, Page 4

LABOUR DAY

OBSERVED AS GENERAL HOLI DAY.

HIGH WIND BUT NO RAIN. Labour Day was observed as jbl general holiday in Wellington yesterday, the banks and similar institutions, the Government departments, the municipal offices, and shops, warehouses, and offices, etc., being closed. The tramway service was run as usual. Indeed, a good many special cars ran to Newtown Park for the Labour Day sports and to tho various beache© and other pleasure resorts. A strong north-west wind was biowing, and the sky at times was very overeast. But happily no rain fell thus justifying Hie pleasure-seekers, who. despite the unpromising aspect of affairs, turned out in large numbers to 'go to the Trentharn races, to enjoy the Labour Day sports at Newtown Park, and to go golfing, bowling, cricketing, ten-nis-playing, picnicking, and so forth TRAIN AND FERRY TRAFFIC. Thousands of race-goers were attracted to Trentharn tby the second day’s programme of the Wellington Racing Club’s Spring Meeting. Nine extra tiains were run by the Railway Department in the morning; but the traffic was not quit© so heavy as on Labour Day last year, the number of passengers being roughly estimated as 6500 as against ratheT more than 7000 in 1922. Very large numbers also went by motor to the races, the Hutt road presenting a very busy scene at tbe rush hours, both morning and evening. The cross-thc-harbour bay© attracted a large number of visitor©, the Eastbourne ferry steamers being crowded both on their morning and their after noon trips. The number of passengers they cairied iri the merging was estimated at over 3000; and during the afternoon the number carried was <onsiderablv greater.