CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1923, Page 4

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.

FINE WEATHER CONTINUES MANY ATTRACTIVE OUTINGS. BUSINESS RESUMES TO-DAY. The last of the Christmas holidays for 1923 passed yesterday with a day of summer sunshine. A number of the shops were open for a few hours yesterday morning. The business of those houses who open between Christmas and New Year will be resumed to-day. As on Boxing Day, the Taranaki Jockey Club’s race meeting on the New Plymouth racecourse drew a very large attendance, the totalisator figures which were £4OOO above those of the second day’s racing last year, indicating that there is plenty of money about. The patrons of the sport were rewarded with a day of interesting racing. At Eltham, the annual sports meeting of the Eltham Racing Cycle and Athletic Club drew a host of visitors from the surrounding countryside, as well as from towns more distant. The fine weather, large fields and keen contests, coupled with the efficient manner in which the sports were conducted, made the meeting an ideal outing.

Throughout the season the numerous picnic resorts in and around New Plymouth and other parts of Taranaki have been well patronised. The Ngaere Gardens have attracted hundreds of mothers and fathers, who appreciate the many attractions which Lester Bros, provide for children as well as grown ups. The facilities which are available for having an enjoyable picnic at the gardens without the bother of packing luncheon baskets have been very favourably commented upon. Fret bey’s gardens have also sheltered many picnic parties from New Plymouth Yesterday a large number of motor cars again made the run- to the Mountain House, the bracing air of the mountain and the fine views that can be obtained being greatly enjoyed. On the beaches family picnic parties could be seen in all the cosy nooks, the warm water also attracting a crowd of bathers. One of the features at the East End beach was the number and variety of canoes employed on the Henui and in the surf.