CHRISTMAS EVE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 305, 26 December 1936, Page 8

CHRISTMAS EVE

MUCH SPENDING DONE INCREASED USE OE MOTOR-CARS SCENES IN WANGANUI Christmas Day, 1936. has come an 1 gone. Hot, muggy weather puncuated with occasional touches oi rain, haracterised Christmas Eve anu Christmas Day. Everywhere then. aas marked evidence oi a desire to je happy, and in confirmation of the growing circulation oi money there was a record volume of motor traffic. Never before has v.anganui bee a graced by so many cars. People were uelimlely ready io spend more freely than they were inclined to uo during any oi the pasi live \ears. Tradespeople report ma takings are up considerably on lasyear, and that on this occasion m v. as much more widely .-pread. -,ot only was the demand fc. the better type of articles, but pu.chasers were inclined to uo ims. shopping much earlier than luuai. 1 was strange but true that v.ni.e the volume ot trade was greater this year Ihe actual Christmas Eve purchas ng was inclined to be beiow that of las 5 ear. Not in all instances, ol toais but in many. That was taken to indicate that Christmas shoppers have been keen to do their buying carlj and heed for once the oft-repeatcu advice along those lines given by tradespeople. Perhaps the infantile paralysis precautions have had an influence on this under-spending of the buying period. Last Monday, for instance, was one of the busiest shopping days in Wanganui during tne whole period. The usual jollification marked the Christmas Eve celebrations in the city. The Avenue was freed of motor traffic and a happy-go-lucky crowd took possession. Throwdowns enlivened the night and occasional handfuls of rice and confetti added to the carnival atmosphere. Greenery, which had been arranged under the auspices of the Carnival Committer, decorated the footpaths. It was one of the gayest Yuletidc Eves the city has enjoyed. Christmas Day was spent quietly. Close weather, with rain ever imminent. was inclined to make oeople