AT A PREMIUM

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23083, 23 December 1944, Page 4

AT A PREMIUM

Accommodation In Timaru Holiday Entertainment Accommodation in Timaru for the holiday season is limited not so much by the number of rooms available, as by the staffing problem. It is also understood that three hotels, owing to damage bv the recent storm, have cancelled bookings for Christmas. Manpower direction of women and the wider choice of occupations given by war conditions, have made domestic help difficult to secure and many hotel and boardinghouse proprietors are dreading the holiday period. In one hotel there was bitter complaint against the direction to another occupation of one of the maids, and the proprietor said that the service which boarders were entitled to would be seriously jeopardised and a hardship inflicted on the remainder of the staff. It was not anticipated that there would be any difficulty in supplying rationed food as long as the necessary coupons were forthcoming, as it was expected that preparations had been made by shopkeepers to cope with holiday visitors. Popular Resort The popularity of Timaru as a holiday resort is Indicated by the number of applications which have been made for accommodation. There is hardly one boarding establishment which could not have filled its lodgings twice over. Some high prices have been offered, a recent advertiser being willing to pay a £1 a day for private board. If money has become the arbiter in accommodation. Timaru should have a “swell” addition to its population over the holidays. For working men in cities, places like Timaru as a prospective holiday resort, must be as far removed from them as the Riviera is from Cockneys. Booking for the Timaru motor camp commenced months ago, and there will be a full list over the holiday period.

Holiday Fixtures Beginning at 8 am. on Christmas Day. the annual tournament conducted by the South Canterbury Bowling Centre will be continued throughout the week. On Christmas Day the fours will be played on the West End. Kia Toa and Park greens, and on Tuesday all six Timaru greens will be required for the pairs. The finals of both pairs and fours will be played on the Timaru green on Wednesday. Entries for the singles close Wednesday evening and play will begin on Thursday. The greens are in excellent order, and among the many competitors will be bowlers from as far afield as Wellington and Invercargill. As was the case last year the proceeds of the Carnival which will be conducted by the Caroline Baj’ Association on the Bay from Tuesday, December 26 to Tuesday, January 2, wall be contributed to the patriotic fund. The official opening is at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Peter Dawson's party, assisted by dancing teams from Timaru will provide entertainment from the Sound Shell each afternoon and evening, and there will be sideshows, amusement, devices, and children’s competitions, with nightly dances in the Bay Hall. On New Year’s Eve a bonfire is to be lit on the sand. The South Canterbury Caledonian Society will again conduct a sports meeting at the Caledonian grounds on New Year’s Day. beginning at mid-day, An interesting programme is provided, including amateur athletic handicaps, cycling, music and dancing events. Conducted by the South Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association the annual tournament will be held on the Maori Park courts, commencing December 30. Good entries have been received from local players and from Christchurch and other Associations. Championship and handicap games will be played in both singles and doubles, and some interesting tennis expected to be seen, particularly in the finals which will be reached on January 3.