Fun, Noise, Confusion At River Carnival

Press, Volume C, Issue 29681, 27 November 1961, Page 19

Fun, Noise, Confusion At River Carnival

Strange craft spouting water and fireworks battled among clouds of smoke and flour while the roar of engines competed with blaring rock ‘n’ roll music on Kerrs Reach on Saturday evening. This was only part of the fun at the river carnival, seen by a crowd that lined the banks five deep for half a mile.

Except for a slight chill in the air, conditions were ideal. There was no wind, and only the wake of the boats disturbed the glassy surface of the water.

The carnival got under way with a lively battle between surf ski crews. When all craft were capsized it turned into a rescue, only to degenerate into a battle again. Meanwhile, kon-tiki-like craft made of oil drums and bedecked with foliage made their, appearance, their crews paddling furiously against the current.

Top New Zealand water skiers showed their skill with side-slides, backwards ski-ing. no hands, and the pyramid. The crowd laughed at a man peddling a bicycle mounted on skis.

The searchlight following the craft made a spectacular display on the water. Speedboats appeared to be enveloped in flame. Display of Floats

The float display was heralded by a big launch carrying the name of a Cathedral square theatre and blaring music. Bobbing in its wake was a small boat With a television set showing the current programme.

The best entries showed evidence of a lot of thought and work. First prize went to the Union Rowing Club’s ship in full sail—a replica of a sailing ship built on a dinghy. Electrical apprentices of the Municipal Electricity Department manned a craft spouting fountains of coloured water. A lighthouse

bobbing along on its rocklike base was enetered by the Avon Rawing Club. Last year’s winner, Mr W. P. Richards, entered a gondola built around a rowing shell.

Equipped for battle, soldiers of the Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps ploughed through the water in an assault craft while some of their members gave a simulated blood transfusion.

The most aggressive crew cm the river manned a boat bearing a flaming skull and crossbones. Bearing down on stow craft, they hurled bags of flour. One engagement left the crew of a raft without paddles.

Because of a timber fire in Sydenham, the coloured water display by the Fire Brigade was cancelled. The carnival’s organisers decided not to light the bonfire. The carnival ended with a 15-minute display of fireworks. Although some of the high-flying rockets were lost in the low cloud, this was easily the most popular item on the programme. Many organisations combined to make the carnival a success. Soldiers of the provost corps helped police and Christchurch City Council traffic officers control the crowd and traffic.

Communications along the banks of the river were done by men of the Army’s signals corps, and Army engineers were responsible for a pontoon bridge between Avonside drive and Locksiey avenue. The carnival was sponsored by the Canterbury Rowing Association, the New Brighton Power Boat Club, and the Canterbury Publ’c Relations Office.