DECEPTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 805, 28 October 1929, Page 1

DECEPTION

A Trick is Played on Auckland HOLIDAY PLANS SUFFER This morning a trick was played on Auckland. Hundreds were deceived. They fell into the trap round about breakfast time, and did not see the joke until midday, when there was a belated rush for luncheon baskets and, later on, an enthusiastic scramble for early afternoon cars, buses and ferries.

The Weather Clerk was responsible for the upset. At daybreak he produced grey clouds, a threatening drizzle, and the remains of last night's gale. Of the thousands who watched the skies a little later from bedroom windows, a goodly number voted for a fireside Labour Day. The Devonport Steam Ferry Company anticipated this and cancelled trips to Motuihi, Rangitoto and Pine Island, arranging simply for a launch service to Rangitoto. QUIET MORNING

The result was a quiet morning on the waterfront. The Presbyterian Bible Class Union set off for its Omiha rally, outfacing the weather with optimistic laughter, but crowded excursion boats were the exception rather than the rule. “An unusually quiet morning,’’ was the report of officials in charge of the ferry runs to the North Shore. Picnickers had given up hope and the City was empty. At the railway station the same tale was told. The race specials to Cambridge, both of which left at an early hour, were very moderately patronised. Only 60 booked for Cambridge. “Mind you, I think it is the Cambridge meeting clashing with the trots that has caused the falling off,” said one official. Other railway bookings have been particularly heavy. A very crowded special set off for Rotorua and National Park on Saturday, the Daylight Limited today was fully booked, and tonight’s expresses are filled to overflowing. THE LAST LAUGH Then with the passing hours the cruel deception was disclosed. Gradually the clouds rolled away, sunshine flooded through, and, by midday real holiday weather smiled on Auckland. The Presbyterian Bible Class members were having the last laugh. Early in the afternoon a transfor mation was wrought at the Ferry Buildings, the tram terminal and the taxi ranks. “Whites,” picnic baskets, and spring frocks made their appearance, father locked the house and scanned a time table. Labour Day plans were remade—Auckland began to make up for lost holiday time. The list of attractions has been slightly depleted, but a big variety of outdoor recreations' 1 were carried on. There were bathers at the beaches, picnickers made their way in hundreds to the Domain sports, golf was played at Titirangi, bowlers were out in force, and cricketers were getting the best out of fresh city wickets. Tennis, too, had its share of holiday patronage. Competing against the amateur sports were the trots at Epsom and the Manukau Road was one of the busiest thoroughfares in the suburbs. Auckland’s Labour Day was shortened by a few cloudy hours, but the holiday mood was captured in time for a pleasant afternoon in the open air.