EVE OF CHRISTMAS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1923, Page 6

EVE OF CHRISTMAS.

FESTIVE SEASON BEGINS. CROWDS IN TOWN BUSY IN THE SHOPS. MANY HOLIDAY FIXTURES. With a perfect summer day the Christmas season of 1923 was ushered in yesterday. Throughout the day, and particularly in the afternoon, large crowds of women and children and visitors from the country thronged the principal streets, passing in and out of the shops in a continuous stream. Shopkeepers, who had reported that business throughout the week had been steady, are gratified by the way the puree strings were loosened yesterday. In the evening Devon Street from the top of the hill *at Liardet Street pre* sented a carnival picture, with strings of coloured lights suspended above the electric wires and the brightly illuminated shop windows. Light-hearted crowdi moved to and fro, exchanging badinage and indulging in the joys of the Christmas season. As in the afternoon, the shops were crowded with eager purchasers, some intent only on laying in the usual weekend supplies; others directing themselves Ho the purchase of Christmas gifts, and others again combining the two. The rush is expected to continue in a similar degree this morning, but the climax will be jeached on Monday, when the rapidly growing spirit of Christmas .will rule and the air will resound with the best wishes of all for a better Christinas than ever before.

SHOPPING HOURS. POINTS FOR THE HOUSEHOLDERS. The following points in connection with the Christmas holidays will be of interest to New Plymouth housewives and others: To-day (Saturday) the usual shopping hours will be observed. On Christmas Eve (Monday) all rhe shops will be open till 10 o’clock, and some a little while longer. The drapers will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday all day, and will be open till twelve on Thursday morning. On Friday and Saturday they will be open till 5.30 p.m. Grocers will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. No bread will be available on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. The butchers will be closed all day on Christmas Day, but will be open for a few hours until 9 a.m. on Boxing Day and the day after. Fruiterers will be open till 11 o’clock on Christmas Eve, and will be closed only on Christmas Day. The tobacconists v will be open till 11 o’clock on Christmas Eve. On Boxing Day and the day after the hairdressing saloons will be open from 7.30 to 11 a.m., and Thursday they will remain open from 4JO la 11 a.m.