FESTIVAL TODAY

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33787, 8 March 1975, Page 1

FESTIVAL TODAY

The Christchurch Arts Festival officially opens at 10 o’clock this morning, with a parachute jump into Hagley Park. After the jump, by the Christchurch Skydiving Club, a procession of the city’s ethnic groups, cultural organisations, bands and other groups will assemble on the Park Terrace river bank between Armagh and Kilmore Streets. The procession, which will include 17 cars belonging to members of the Christchurch Vintage Car Club, will stretch for about 1800 ft. About 500 people, dressed in ethnic or stage costume or uniform will take part.

At 10.25 guests and officials, including the Prime Minister (Mr Rowl-

ing) will board 12 of the vintage cars at the Town Hall, and motor down Kiimore Street to join the procession at Armagh Street. At 10.40 the procession, led by the official cars, will move down Rolleston Avenue and Worcester Street into Cathedral Square. At 10.55 the chairman of the Arts Festival Committee (Mr G. R. Lascelles) and its director (Mrs H. Holmes) will receive the Prime Minister and guests in front of the Christchurch Cathedral.

The Waitaha Maori group will sing a song of welcome as the guests arrive. It will be followed by the National Anthem. The Prime Minister will

be introduced at 11 by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr H. G. Hay) in a speech of welcome, and will then open the festival.

Mr Lascelles will acknowledge and reply.

Fifteen minutes after the introduction of the Prime Minister the trumpets of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band will play a fanfare. Immediately afterwards a flight of pigeons will be released.

At 1131 the guests will return to their cars and to the Town Hall for an informal reception, via Colombo Street. The remainder of the procession will move down Colombo Street and Armagh Street into Hagley Park to disband.