GIGANTIC CARNIVAL

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 70, 15 December 1933, Page 9 (Supplement)

GIGANTIC CARNIVAL

Christmas at Otaki MANY ATTRACTIONS Otaki will be en fete over the Christmas and New Year holidays, w’hen a gigantic carnival has been arranged. The programme has been given the closest attention and is considered to be one that will draw many visitors to the town and the beach. The carnival is scheduled to commence on Boxing Day, when a procession. headed by the Otaki Municipal Band, will march from the post office to the Otaki racecourse. Here a comprehensive programme of sporting events is to be held, including athletic and cycling races, horse jumping, trotting and v racing. wood-chopping and sawing competitions, and many novelty events calculated to arouse enthusiasm snd gaiety. The following day has been devoted to the interest and entertainment of children, and in the evening a modern and old-time dance is to be held. On Thursday a picnic and sports gathering has been planned for the Otaki beach. The band will be present and an attractive and entertaining programme of novelty events has been arranged. On Friday night a sports meeting is being held by the Otaki Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, while a haka and poi competitions will also engage the activities of the natives. The haka and the poi have not been forgotten by the Maoris of the district. The enthusiasm they display and their actions bring back the significance of these dances when the Maori was the sole inhabitant of the Dominion. A children’s procession of decorated dolls’ prams and cycles, etc., will be held on Saturday afternoon, when exhibitions will be given of the ever-, popular maypole dancing. On Sunday a combined church service is. being held. On Monday night an all-night gaiety ball is being held, and on the following day the carnival will conclude with the Plunket sports, children's races, cycling events, goat racing, and a procession of decorated vehicles. Those who spend the holidays at Otaki should make a point of seeing all the places of historical interest with which the district abounds.: One of the chief attractions is the historic Maori church in the township which was erected by the war chief Te Rauparaha almost 90 years ago. The church is one of the largest and finest of its kind in the Dominion, and is surrounded by graves of Te Rauparaha’s warriors and their descendants. In 1840, when he had practically the whole of the North and South Island under his subjection, Te Rauparaha became interested in the Christian religion. A young curate from England, Octavius Hadfield, converted the old warrior and induced him to erect a church in which the faith should b« preached to his people.