SHOPPING CROWDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 304, 26 December 1945, Page 4

SHOPPING CROWDS

i CHRISTMAS EVE IN WANGANUI CABMVAU SPIRIT ABROAD ‘ I Perfect, summer weather made Mon- ! day (Christmas Eve) in Wanganui a | titling climax to a wonderful week for (business in the city and suburbs, i Crowds were large even in the morn- - ling and they steadily grew until a late (hour in the evening. It was the first l : peace-time Christmas Eve since 1938, • and residents enjoyed it to the full. ! j The best of good humour was evi- , I dent everywhere—even among sales-i-men and saleswomen, whose endurance must have been tried to breaking point—and the great bulk of customers seemed to be pleasantly conscious that they were in a position to spend freely, and spend they did. The heat of the day raised a thirst ’ that set the sales of ice cream and , soft drinks soaring, and for long ' periods on end difficulty was experienced in reaching the counters of refreshment bars. City hotel bars did a roaring trade and they were densely thronged all afternoon. That Christmas larders were well stocked was obvious from the way grocery stores, fruiterers, butchers, bakers’ shops and pastrycooks’ and other businesses were patronised. Ail vehicular traffic was excluded from the Avenue between Guyton Street and Ridgway Street for three hours from 7 to 10 p.m and crowds were able to overflow freely on the road and they took full advantage of the privilege. It was a carnival o’ , youth and young people in their ’teens and twenties predominated everywhere. To express their spirit of gaiety some bedecked themselves with paper hats and streamers a»d made weird noises with rattles and squeakers. The dav was a long and arduous one for traffic inspectors and police, hut lhe throngs they had to control were good-natured and orderly. At 10 o'clock the tide of traffic began to turn, and the exodus from the city began The great bulk of the shops gently shepherded the last of their customers out into the streets and closed their doors A few minutes later their staffs already looking refreshed in the knowledge of the freedom ahead, swelled the crowds making haste to depart. Picture theatres were emptied of their patrons, but not for long, for to meet a popular demand, midnight matinees were held Trams became laden, motor-cars suddenly made their appearance and sped outwards from the city with their loacts, and thus ended a traditional Christmas Eve. IN THE CHURCHES In a strain of traditional exultation Wanganui churches again celebrated the Feast of the Nativity yesterday, when large congregations attended worship at city and suburban services. At Christ Church yesterday four Communion services were held Communion services were also held at St. John’s, St Chad’s, St. Peter’s, Gonville, and St Agnes’. In the presence of a crowded congregation, Midnight Mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hundreds received Holy Communion. Masses later in the day, both in the city and suburbs, were well attended. Christmas Day services were also held at St. Paul's Pfesbyterian Church, St. David's, and St. James’. > HOSPITAL GAIETY Gay decorations in the wards, the : singing of Christmas carols by members of the nursing staff and a sea- : sonal menu all contributed to a typi- ‘ tally Christmas spirit at the Wanga- 1 nui Hospital yesterday. In the children’s ward there was a large Christ- ' mas tree and Father Christmas himself made a personal visit and each pa- 4 tient received a gift. J The Wanganui Orphanage, the Margaret Watt Home, Jubilee Home, and i-fome of Compassion were remembered by several kind friends and inmates were regaled with Christmas fare.