Many Visitors to City for Holiday

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26792, 8 June 1948, Page 4

Many Visitors to City for Holiday

The King's Birthday holiday yesterday brought thousands of people from their homes, in spite of the fact Chat the weather was cold and leaden skies threatened rain. There were, no doubt, few who gave thought to His Majesty—whose actual birthday is not until December anyway—but the time-honoured custom of having an annual holiday to celebrate the event was welcomed by old and young alike. The main attraction was, as usual, the Winter Show. Thousands thronged through the entrance during the morning, afternoon and evening, although many were disappointed in their opportunities for closely inspecting the wide range of exhibits. Moving was something of a problem for the greater part of the day, and parents had an anxious time keeping track of their children in the crush. The patient people went quietly with the crowd when they became involved in the inevitable congestion, but there were those who fought and struggled, using elbows and umbrellas in spite of the traffic control directions issued by officials. The second day of the race meeting at Wingatui was again well patronised, cars, buses, taxis and trains all taking their complements to the track. The interest of the racegoers was apparent as, although the crowd was smaller than last year, there was a slight increase in the amount handled by the totalisator. Winners, however, were as hard to pick on the holding track as they were on Saturday, and “ ifs ” spattered the conversation of luckless punters at least as frequently as usual. The Metropolitan Rugby trial match at Carisbrook attracted many spectators, who saw an exhibition of football rather better than is normally seen on such occasions. Amateur selectors indulged in the diversion of

choosing players for the Otago team this year, but the hearty cheering heard at most club matches was strangely missing, and the cars outside and the sound of the referee’s whistle were almost the only indication from the street that a game was in progress. Intent on the game, the spectators remained standing or sitting with their hands deep in their overcoat pockets. The motor cycle racing at Tahuna Park attracted its share of devotees, and some excellent riding was seen. The greasy track added to the. trials of the performers and to the interest ** of the public but, in spite of thrills, there were no serious mishaps. Association football fans enjoyed their trial match at the Caledonian Ground, and Waikouaiti supporters arrived in the city 'to watch their Rugby team performing against Alhambra at Opoho. Train bookings to and from the city were heavy during the week-end. Thousands left Dunedin, but thousands more arrived to take their places, and hotel accommodation was at a premium during the holiday period. One of the attractions which brought strangers to the city was the performance of “ Carmen ” on Saturday night, and thoughtful visitors who had made preferential bookings some time ago were among the large audience. It takes more than dull weather to deter those hardy individuals, the enthusiastic hikers, and walking men and women of all ages, shapes and sizes were to' be seen in the city and its environs at intervals yesterday. Judging by the size of some of the packs being carried by trampers who were still plodding home at late hour last night they had spent the week-end in pursuit of exercise. The poor weather may have damped their ardour a little but there was no trace of it as they swung along on the last lap of the • journey.