SUNSHINE AFTER RAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 December 1923, Page 4

SUNSHINE AFTER RAIN.

THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. BIG CROWDS IN TOWN. FREEDOM FROM ACCIDENT’S. The Christmas holidays in New Plymouth opened with a dull morning on the day before Christmas, then an afternoon of heavy rain, followed by a clear sky at night, which held out hopes of a brighter day to come. They were dashed to the ground, however, by the heavy rain squalls of Christmas Day and Christmas night, but, as if to atone, yesterday was as perfect a day as anyone could wish for. It was ideal picnic weather and throughout the morning parties could be seen making their way to the beaches, the parks and the many other beautiful picnic spots with which New Plymouth abounds. The races drew a record attendance.

Throughout the season the Mountain House has had a large number of visitors, who yesterday were able to fully appreciate Mount Egmont’s many fine aspects. During the day many cars from New Plymouth visited the hostel and the staff was kept busy serving afternoon tea. Large crowds on holiday bent thronged the streets on Christmas Eve and again yesterday when en route to the races. The gaily decorated and brilliantly lit shops, reflecting their lights on to the passersby, presented a pretty spectacle on Christmas Eve which, in a measure, compensated for any ill-temper that might momentarily hold sway through frequent breaches of the “keep to the left” bylaw. Despite the efforts of the police and the borough officials to .keep the crowds on the move and to their correct side, there were many who apparently found the centre of the paths the most convenient spot in which to exchange Christmas greetings and reminiscences. The race traffic yesterday was extremely large, but was most exemplary. Early in the morning cars from all quarters began to arrive and by 11 o’clock Devon Street presented a busy scene. The arrangements made for controlling the motor traffic allowed every car to proceed quickly and safely to the course. So great was the traffic that it was found inconvenient to park all the cars inside the racecourse and over 100 machines were therefore parked in adjoining streets. The conduct of the crowds throughout the holidays has been excellent. There was no evidence of larrikinism and no drunkenness. Only one accident was reported, a man being found on the Opunaki Road and admitted to hospital suffering from concussion.