THE HOLIDAYS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2142, 27 December 1920, Page 7

THE HOLIDAYS.

Crackers and fireworks now seem to be indispensable adjuncts to the celebration on tile streets on Christmas Eve. Wherever the crowds wer.e thickest on Christmas Eve, small hoye were almost sure to be engaged in setting up a barrage, the din being somewhat reminiscent of a battlefield. But, although the bombardment may have affected the nervous, the major portion of the crowds appeared quite unperturbed. The shops were thronged with purchasers, business being particularly brisk, and right up to midnight there were good crowds in the streets.

The seaside resorts and hills were well patronised on Christmas Day, the day being particularly hot. Carol singers were in goodly force in the early morning. Yesterday a strong ner'-wester ruled, the enervating conditions considerably tempering 1 the enjoyment of those who made holiday out of doors. About 9 o'clock to-day rain set in from the east, and the holiday traffic to the seaside was considerably affected. The first of two special trains from Christchurch arrived in Lyttelton at 10. a.m. to-day, with between 400 and 500 passengers. Despite threatening weather, the majority ventured across to the Peninsula bays, but were glad to take the first opportunity to return to port when the rain set in. While the holiday-makers were waiting for trains back to the city, the railway social hall and the railway wharf shed were thrown open' to them, and utensils for making tea were also placed at the crowd's disposal by the railway officers.