PETONE'S CARNIVAL

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 152, 26 December 1923, Page 8

PETONE'S CARNIVAL

AN AUSPICIOUS OPENING

LARGE ATTENDANCE TO-DAY,

Petone successfully launched its week's gala this morning. There were many fearful, hearts last evening when the weather frowned, and the change of the direction of the wind put preparations back by several hours; but this morning, though the breeze from ' the south was fresh, the sun was brighti and it was a happy throng which gathered, from 8 a.m. onwards, on the foreshore. The trains throughout the morning brought thousands from the city, while lorris*, cars, and buses brought heavy contingents from the upper reaches of the valley; and all Petone was there.

Proceedings commenced with a procession from the railway station, along Jackson street, and down Queen street to the waterfront. This was marshalled by Mr. W. B. Gough, carried by a "golden car." The procession was' headed by the Petone Municipal Band, and at intervals through the procession were stationed > the Central Band and th» Salvation-Army Band. The queen candidates were' prominent in the procession. The municipal > candidate, Miss Curtis, rode in a- most tastefully decorated car, Mr. H. Appleyard, Junr., being responsible for • the designing and decorating. The industries candidate, Miss Curran, was enthroned on one of Messrs. C. and A. Odlin's motor-lorries, which had been uniquely decorated with woollen goods from the local woollen factory by Mr. H. Fleet. Miss Spence, flying the colours of the sports queen, also occupied a prominent place. The local fire brigade on its new.fire engine drew special comments from the' crowd, which lined the whole of the street. In the fancy dress section there were fairies, brownies, elves, Red Cross nurses, and a varied assortment of poster, dresses. The decorated handcarts deserved special mention, prominent being a dainty bride and groom in a decorated flower cart. '

On the beach a scene of gaiety was revealed. .Fora quarter of a mile of its length there are closely studded everypossible means of drawing the stray coins from the willing public. There are performing lions, merry-go-rounds, seasaws, chutes, swings, flying boats, and a great variety of other shows, besides refreshment, produce, and fancy stalls of all descriptions... Occupying a prominent site on the foreshore is an enclosure in which Mr. Dave Pretty, the world's champion axeman, will give exhibitions. Mr. Pretty's .principal day, however, will be Saturday, when he and "Bill" Peck.. the Australian . champion, will compete on. the Petone Recreation Ground for the world's championship. . At 11 a.m. the Mayor,: Mr. J. W. M'Ewan, introduced Mr. G. Mitchell, chairman of 1 the Wellington Harbour Board, who had been asked to open the proceedings. The Mayor apologised for the unavoidable absence of Sir Francis Bell and Mr. T. M. Wilford, the latter having been detained in Sydney. Mr* Mitchell said it gave him very great pleasure to be present, and as far as the. facilities of the Petone portion of the Wellington harbour was concerned he would like to assure Petone people that the board would place no obstacle in the way of giving local residents the fullest use of them. Th ß harbour was the finest in the British Empire, and nothing could hold back the whole district from the great future before it. He looked forward to the time when the fine hills surrounding the Hutt Valley would be covered with beautiful residences, and hoped those in charge of the destiny of the valley would look forward and not make the mistakes the city had made in the past, but would plan for the future. The beach, was one of the finest in the Dominion, and the valley one of the most fertile. Better access was needed, and that was coming in the shape of a good road, and, he hoped, better suburban railway communications.

In introducing Mr. Strand, the Mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr. M'Ewan expressed the hope that the union between Petone and Lower Hutt would speedily become something nearer than at present ex-\ isted. Mr. Strand took up the theme, and also expressed a desire that the near future would see closer union between the two boroughs. ' With the combination of foreshore, harbour, valley, and hills, there was a glorious future before the Hutt Valley. Mr. Strand wished the carnival every success, and said 1 he hoped that both from the financial point of view and from the community aspect the gala jvould be

a success.

The carnival will. be continued until a late hour to-night, the foreshore being lit by electricity. •'."'.