SOUTH BRIGHTON GALA.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19198, 3 January 1928, Page 4

SOUTH BRIGHTON GALA.

AN ENJOYABLE EVENT. During the past lew years South New Brighton has made rapid progress, and as times goes by it gains in attractiveness and popularity. There is everything for the week-ender, the permanont resident, and the picnicker alike—from bathing to boating. Pleasant Point is an unexcelled picnic resort, with its well equipped playground for children, and the district now has a very good shopping centre New roads aro being opened up, and each year sees an increase in population. The completion of the new bridge across the Avon has shortened the distance betw;een the district and tho City by about a mile, and it is a large factor in the ! growing popularity of tho district as a residential area. Record crowds—the numbers must have been nearly 10,000—were present in the Pleasant Point Domain yestorday, when the annual gala was held. In Bpito of tho heat and tho bowling nor'-wester, the people streamed into the Domain, and" hundreds of picnio parties found sheltered nooks. There were side-shows and stalls of every description, and several athletic events for juveniles. The gala was carried on into the evening, crowds of peoplo remaining in the Domain until closing time. The gala, was officially opened by Mr D. 6. Sullivan, M.P., and by the Mayor of New Brighton, Mr A. W. Owles. The Mayor stated that all the profits raado would be spent on improving tho Domain. Last year £l5O was devoted to improvement work. Mr Sullivan referred to tho foresight of tho early pioneers, who set aside tho open spaces for future recreational use. He admired tho South Brighton residents and their pluck, ho said, in loading themselves up with a heavy rate by the building of the fine new bridge.

ATHLETIC EVENTS. Results of athletic events are as follows: 50yds, boys 7 to 10— F. Leigh 1, L. White 2, T. Gillard 3. 50yds, girls, 7 to 10— N. Pedler 1, K. Way 2, T. Boys 3. Boys, 10 to 12— B. Raymond 1, L. Orr 2, .T. Seacliff 3. Eg; and spoon race, girls under 15— J. Drummond 1, S. Roades 2, M. Pring 3. Girls. 10 to 12 —Pring 1, E. Wormald 2. G. Scott 3. Sack Race, boys under 15— E. Gibbons 1, B. Eatborne 2, 0. Fantham 3. Boys, 75yds, 12 to IVI—O. Poison 1, L. Doherty 2, P. Auliffe 3. Sack Race, under 12—0. Knight 1, J. Head 3, S. Roades 3. Girls' 75yds, 12 to 14— E. Gabbitt 1, E. "Wormald 2, J. Fisher 3. "Wheelbarrow Race, under 14— G. Raymond and Ken Foster 1. Boys, under 7—W. Scott 1, K. Way 2, P. Barrett 3. ._.,.. Girls, under 7 —F. McDale 1, T. Cummings 2. P. Scott 3. Consolation, boys, 12 to 15— J. Coates 1, 0. Meredith 2. Girls 12 to 15— T. Scott 1, E. South 2. Boys,' under 12—P. Bellamy 1, E. JohanGirl's, under 12—D. Read 1, J. Small 2. Boys, under 7—G. Brown 1, 0. Brown 2. Girls, under 7—P. Pring 1, J. Mantel 2. SAILING EVENT. Open Handicap—Seamew (smln) 1, Dottrell (scr) 2, Eureka (91min) 3, Naomi (7min) 4. Also started: Possum, Sea Imp, Seagull, Piffle, Ariki. ... An exhibition of aquatic planing was given by the launch Wangauui. ... The list of attractions included bucket ball, touching clown, Bing Boys, darts, chocolate board, quoits, catch-the-pig, skittles Tom, Dick, and Harry, football man, shooting gallerv, box-ball, weight-guessing, bran tub and marble board, Aunt Sally, swinging ball, etc., and each was productive of very good business. In addition were the usual tea tent, produce stall, soft drinks and ice-cream. Just after the official opening, Mr Sullivan challenged Mr Owles to a race down the chute. Tho challenge was taken up, and Mr Owies came home an easy winner. . During tho gala the New Brighton Municipal Band was in attendance.