CHRISTMAS EVE GAIETY

Taranaki Daily News, 27 December 1929, Page 8

CHRISTMAS EVE GAIETY

SOUTH TARANAKI CELEBRATIONS. FESTIVITY IN THE STREETS. r ~ Particularly fickle weather had been experienced in South Taranaki up to Tuesday morning, but the sun shone during the day and Christmas Eve arrived with that balmy feeling in the air which swelled the ranks of the optimists who had for days foretold excellent Christmas weather. Streamers of coloured electric lights, festooned across the streets, gave an added air of festivity to the towns of Eltham, Hawera and Patea, all of which seemed to be the rendezvous of the population for miles around. So dense were the crowds in these places that they overflowed on to the streets, where owing to the foresight of the city fathers, vehicular traffic was requested not to travel.

The spirit of carnival seemed to have entered even the more sedate, many of whom let themselcs go, forgot everything serious and mundane and strictly proper and participated in the fun with the same abandonment as the gay youths and frivolous maidens who walked arm in arm wearing enormous goggles and. paper hats and blowing all the ridiculous oddities which seem so essential for the enjoyment of a modern Christmas Eve. In Hawera two youths, who showed a penchant for fisticuffs, found themselves placed in a cell, adjacent to which was .another containing an inebriated individual who did not witness Christmas Evo at all. According to the police it was the most orderly Christmas Eve in history, and at the special sitting of the Police Court at Hawera to-morrow morning the aforementioned trio promise to be the only ones to answer for their indiscretions.

Attractively decorated with vari-col-oured lights and many ingenious mechanical contrivances which whirled and sparkled to the operation of hidden machinery, the shop windows presented an entrancing appearance and retailers, apparently, did a thriving business. Some complained that business was not as brisk as in previous years, while others gleefully told of record takings. Toy and stationery shops seemed to have sold more and better class books than before, while dolls were little in demand. Eventually, the late-shoppers’ wants were satisfied and shortly alter 10 p.m., the tired shop assistants swelled the numbers in the overcrowded streets. Between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. the crowd seemed as if it had arrived at that pleasant period when the contemplation of the holidays had at last become a reality. The crowds began to thin towards midnight and, as the witching hour approached, many wended their way to places of devotion, to celebrate the solemnity of the dawn of another Christmas Day. Brilliant sunshine, and only the slightest trace of a breeze, combined to make a brilliant Christmas Day. To thousands in search of relaxation the beaches and the marcel-waved sea proved irresistible, while others thronged the parks, the rivers, the mountain and the thousand and one delightful spots in which the day might be spent. Towards the evening a chilliness in the atmosphere brought overcoats into use and many were compelled to light fires. And, later on, even little Willie, who had overeaten, went to bed with the realisation that it was just as well Christmas came only once a year. By the way, Willie, after his dinner, was moaning with both hands clasped around his stomach when he was accosted by a venerable old gentleman who asked: “Are you in pain, my little nmn ?”

“No,” Willie groaned, “the pain’s in me.”

MOTORING ACTIVITIES. STREAM OF ENQUIRIES. The South Taranaki Automobile Association is at the present time busying itself in looking after the interests of motorists during the holiday season, and during a steady stream of enquiries at the associatAn office. Road guides, road maps, and touring information were in strong demand. The visitors included a number of members of other associations, -who made friendly calls and were loud in their praise of the association’s sign-posting work. Advice has been received by the secretary that, owing to recent rains the road through the Urewera County from Rotorua to Waikaremoana is impassable. It was expected that this tourist route would have been open for traffic before the holidays. The road from Karioi to Wanganui via Mangamatu is also impassable, owing to reconstruction work and the recent wet weather.

DAIRY FACTORIES’ CRICKET. KAUPOKONUI DEFEATS JOLLS. A cricket match between the Kaupokonui and Jolt's dairy company employees was won on Monday by Kaupokonui by three runs. Eden (Joll’s) retired at 62. Details are:— Joll’s. —Martin, b Whalen, 7; Eden, retired, 62; Simons, b Whalen, 0; Ramsay, b Moyes, 17; Bridgewood, b-Bryan, 7; Whalen, b Bloomfield, 5; Walker, c Moyes, b Moki, 0; Rangi Ruru. not out, 22; Johnny Iki; b Bloomfield, 1; Birehall, b Cunningham, 3; Mitchell, b Bloomfield, 2; extras, 7; total, 133. Kapokonui. —Whalen, b Ramsay, 18; Bloonlfield, b Ramsay, 14; Hughes, c Iki, b Simons, 9; Moyes, c Eden, b Simons, 1; Haynes, b Ramsay. 48; Cunningham, c Walker, b Eden, 13; Bryan, b Ramsay, 10; Edwards, b Eden, 0; Lord, not out, 4; Butler, b Simmons, 1; Moki, b Simons 0; extras, 18; total, 136.