SIRENS AND NOISE

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1932, Page 12

SIRENS AND NOISE

BIRTH OF THE NEW YEAR

NOT MANY PEOPLE IN CITY

Whether because of the rather keen and blustery wind or for other reasons, is not clear, but the number of people in the city on New Year's Eve was smaller than is usually the case. Special precautions were taken by the City Council to keep vehicular traffic out of some of the main streets, and this, of course, reduced the amount of noise and the volume of traffic in the town. After 9 o'clock the crowds were not niuch larger, if as largo, as the crowds which throng the city streets on the average Friday night. But for all thaVtho birth of the New Year was given a noisy welcome, as of old. There were the usual happy knots of Hght-h'earted youths and girls who walked tho city with balloons, bulbous noses, rattles, and squeakers, each and every one haying a good time, and no doubt providing a measure of enjoyment for others who were merely looking on. Refreshment places were well patronised, and the rattle of teacups and glasses mingled with the bright music of tho orchestras and the gay chatter and laughter of the crowds. At midnight the sirens and whistles of the vessels in port, as is customary, ushered in the New Year, and a party of youths and girls made merry in the Post Office Square. But the crowd there was not nearly as large as that ai the carnival staged at tho Basin Reserve in aid of tho Mayor's unemployment fund. There was an attendance at the Basiu estimated at approximately 5000, and the scene, from shortly after 8 o'clock until 1 a.m., was a merry ono.

The celebrations in the eastern bays of the harbour pnssed off rather more quietly thau usual, although. a general din prevailed at midnighrt. First-foot-ing parties made their appearance during_ the evening, and as a result of their activities several gates wero missed yesterday morning. A dance was held at IDay's Bay, and continued until a late hour, the usual gay crowds thronging the pavilion. No one was noticed having a midnight bathe, as has been don© in other years, but the weather was scarcely suitable for this form of enjoyment. BASIN RESERVE CARNIVAL. The carnival all the Basin Reserve was opened by Mr. B. Meadowcroft. He apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Mr. T. G. A.. Hislop), who was on holiday, and said that His Excellency the Governor-General might also have been present had he not been in Auckland. Mr. Moadowcroft explained the objects of this Wellington Social Club. A stage was set out on the Reserve, with special lights fitted above it. When items 'were not being given the floodlights round the ground gave the crowd plenty of illumination. By means of amplifiers, the crowd was able to hear all the- items. The night was fine, with, not luuch wind, and there was a happy, care-free throng round the stage, dancing as. the mood took them, while others. watched from outside the palings, and in. the grandstand. Gramophone items Tvere given between the items, which comprised exhibitions of ballet and. solo dancing, pipe band and brass band numbers, selections by a jazz band, numbers by Maori entertainers, and a physical culture display. A fireworks display was to be given, but it was abandoned. Although all those present were in a care-free mood, there was no rowdyism of any kind. People kept coming in all the time. Community dancing was indulged in. The New Year was welcomed in traditional stylo with the singing of "Auld Lang' Syne" and with various other kinds of merriment. The crowd did not disperse until 1 a.m.