PAGEANT AND CARNIVAL

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 89, 11 October 1913, Page 3

PAGEANT AND CARNIVAL

AN INTERESTING PROGBAMME. When future historians write of the various influences that have helped to foster the Imperial spirit of the British Empire, the part played by historial pageants will not" be overlooked. Although comparatively • unknown to the New Zealander, so far as the actual performance or exhibition itself is concerned, yet much has been read by them about the numerous pageants which during recent years have been held in the various centres of Great Britain. It is, however, one thing to read' about, but quite another to see, the representation of an -historic episode for oneself. The -old Roman poet must have had this in his mind when he wrote : "Those things stimulate us less which are heard with the ear than those which are" presented to th 6 faithful eye." It is when the past is resurrected, when living figures are clothed in the dress of the period and set in their historic setting in «onie epoch-making episode, that the imagination is stirred, and the past becomes a living present. New Zealanders are sometimes accused of being unimaginative, and if there is truth in the impeachment, and many close observers declare there is, it is doubtless due to the lack of a past history. The historical sense being wanting, the imagination suffers, and the visions and dreams of a people depart. The lack of this historic sense makes the production of a pageant in New Zealand extremely difficult, and this fact, combined with the further difficulty of obtaining costumes, has rendered the task of the pageant master (Mr. G. Silver) a very arduous one. He has, however, stuck to his task, and will present at Newtown Park, on the 25th and 27th of this month, tableaux and representations of many historical episodes. Three bands will be in attendance the first afternoon of the pageant, and there will be numerous attractions on the ground to interest young and old at the conclusion of the pageant itself. The Stands Committee has arranged for a thousand chairs, which will be set on planks at the foot of the slopes. Comfortable seats will thus be provided, for which a charge of one shilling will be made. Arrangements will be made for booking these beforehand. In addition to the large marquees, in which afternoon tea ' will be dispensed by the Mayoress (Mrs. J. P. Luke) and a large staff of assistants, there will be stalls for the sale of sweets, fruit, tobacco, flowers, plain and fancy work. Numerous side-shows will give plenty of amusement before and after the pageant. Should be weather be unsuitable, it has been arranged to give two performances in the Town Hall — one in the afternoon and the other in the evening. The gallery will be reserved for those who have reserved seat tickets for the Park. Ordinary tickets to the Park will admit holders to the floor of the Town Hall.