CROWDS IN THE CITY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 24, 24 December 1932, Page 7

CROWDS IN THE CITY

| THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. MANY PEOPLE TRAVELLING. MOTOR CAMPERS ARRIVE. Thousands of Christmas shoppers thronged the streets of the city to-day, and thero was a festival atmosphere. Residents of the rural districts arrived in town early, and quite early in the afternoon it bore a very animated appearance: Despite prevailing conditions there was a cheerful outlook and the traditional Christmas atmosphere could not be denied. Thero was a large volume of motor traffic and the more favoured parking places were at a premium. Following upon last night’s rain tho weather was cloudy, but warm, and at times quite sunny. To-night the streets should be a colourful spectacle with their twinkling decorations, bright sliops and dense crowds of people, for the regulation of which special traffic arrangements have been made.

IN THE HOSPITAL. The sick have not been forgotten, nor have the indigent, and special provision lias been made for all to have a taste of Christmas cheer. Through the kindly activities of Mrs L. A. Abraham, and the generosity of citizens, the sum of £l2 has been collected for Christmas celebrations . at tho Hospital, where there is an unusually large number of patients. Each patient will receive a present, and the local branch of the Toe H organisation has supplied toys for the Christmas tree from which gifts will lie distributed this evening in the children’s ward. Many kindly disposed residents have forwarded beautiful flowers, and the nursing staff have decorated tho whole Hospital beautifully, despite the fact that their duties are more arduous than usual on account of a large number of patients. Their voluntary work is warmly appreciated, and a prize is offered for the best decorated ward. Donations of two lambs from Mr J. Linklater, M.P., and one from the Longburn Freezing Works, have been received. Special fare will be provided to-mor-row and on Boxing Day for the inmates of the Old People’s Home. HEAVY RAILWAY TRAFFIC. Three thousand railway passengers travelled through the Palmerston North railway station yesterday, and the number to-day was expected to reach 5000. Tlie trains on the district sections of the line also were crowded with Christmas shoppers flocking into the city. There were six full cars on the Manawatu train from Paekakariki.

Between Napier and Palmerston North a double express service' was maintained, and between this centre and Wanganui the ordinary service was trebled, there being three expresses, including one of sixteen carriages, for New Plymouth. There were 16 carriages on the up Napier express and 13 on the down express, -without taking into account passengers on the special relief trains. A full train arrived from Wanganui this afternoon. Three completely full expresses, each of 12 carriages, are proceeding to Auckland this evening. CAMPING ACTIVITIES.

There are nine motorists in camp at the grounds provided for them at the Esplanade, and they are stated to he very appreciative of the faculties now provided. Most of them will be remaining over Christmas, and _ otliei s will be arriving daily. Rough chairs and tables have been erected for dining in the open-, there is a very suitable bathing pool adjacent in the river, and ample shelter for the tents. Lighting and gas cooking facilities, as well as showers, are provided. A motorist, who has been travelling and camping tor four years, expressed great pleasure this week at the improvement timbers of motorists from the South Island are visiting the camping ground. Eighty boys will leave Palmerston North on Monday to spend three weeks of healthy open-air holiday m the Y.M.C.A. Camp at Poliangma. Iheir aces range from 11 to 18 years and they will be under the charge of Messrs C C. Woods and G. Pitkethley. Extra lighting has been provided at the ctmn and a piano and a wireless set have’been installed. The Young Australia League Band will visit the camp on January 2 when there will be a general sports fixture, and a. Premie cricket test match. Australia v. Ne Zealand, will be plaved. holiday attractions. Holiday attractions during the Christmas vacation are numerous^ and there are a number of set faxtuies ossicles the delights of the surf and the beaches, activities on the tennis> court and plav on bowling and c ™ ct V,„ greens The Manawatu Racing Club s foliar race meeting will commence at the beautiful Awapum course on Box-, intr Day and should attract a big crowd of followers' of the turf. Boxing enthusiasts will have the °PP° rtu “ y of witnessing the Hughes-Oxley co test on Monday evening. Two cricket matches are set down for decision at the SnortscTOund on Boxing -Daj, one > tween the Manawatu and representatives and the otliei betwce the Foxton and Palmerston No juniors. _ THE WEATHER IN CHRISTCHURCH. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Dec.- 23. After drizzling showers., overnight rain set in again this morning and the outlook is unpromising foi aU sports fixtures Tennis was postponed till the afternoon and cricket play is unlikely before lunch.