TEMUKA CHRISTMAS EVE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23392, 26 December 1945, Page 3

TEMUKA CHRISTMAS EVE

Crowd Quiet And Orderly Record Business By Shops Although the large crowd that thronged the streets on Christmas Eve was quiet and orderly, the absence ol crackers, squeakers and throw-downs being particularly noticeable, retailers report record business and shops were busy to a late hour trying to satisfy the demands of last-minute buyers. The absence of the usual strings of coloured lights occasioned considerable comment, their lack being due to a decision by the South Canterbury Power Board that they could not supply them this season.

Perhaps the most noticeable feature of the first post-war Christmas Eve was the number of cars about. From 7.30 p.m., it was practically impossible to obtain parking space in the main street and the side streets, and car parks were soon filled with serried ranks of cars. The Pipe Band provided music and paraded King Street, while Santa Claus attracted a spreading comet of children as he made his way from shop to shop. About 10 p.m. a cold southerly came up and the streets emptied rapidly. A visit to the motor camp showed that many campers were already in occupation. Besides 22 tents, there are five caravans, and the hostel and one of the new hutments are occupied. Most favourable comment was made by some of the regular visitors to the camp on the improvements recently carried out, and many of the campers have settled down for a long stay.