DISCOVERED

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 154, 27 December 1935, Page 9

DISCOVERED

EVANS BAY BEATJH

THOUSANDS SURPRISED

TRAMWAYS BAND'S IDEA

The extent to which local bodies (perhaps interested) and the public have • neglected the possibilities of Evans Bay foreshore as a pleasure resort was made apparent yesterday by the Tramways Band, whose carnival succeeded in drawing some thousands of people there yesterday afternoon. AH of them were convinced that this half-mile of beach holds fascinations yet unrealised. There is need in Wellington for some spot where the public may gather at small expense and sunbathe, paddle, and swim to their hearts' content uncircumscribed by walls and irksome by-laws, and yesterday afternoon thousands were convinced that they had found it. The tide was in, and out in the wavelets bobbed and paddled hundreds of bathers. Spread out over 300 yards of foreshore, ordinarily occupied by cockle-shells and ocean drift, was a scene that for jollity and unconventionality in basking made people wonder whether or not they were at the movies. The idea was to have a dip, bask awhile on the mat of marram grass, 'and then take in the sideshows, wandering .up and' down the crowded alley between the tents and stalls, where at times it was difficult to get along. It was a family outing. Father lay on. his face and toasted his massive back, while sweet ..eighteen sylph-like and slim, and little dimpled sister- sprawled nearby, and the boys were trying their hands at "games of skill." Fashions in resorts are as strange and fickle as they are in ladies' hats, and it would not be a surprise to the crowds there yesterday if this hitherto neglected beach became a fashion Much of the attraction lay in the entertainment to be found in the two-hundred-yard street of "barkers," stalls, and tents, and of course the summery look of overyone made for brightness and unconventionality. Girls in wet bathing dresses sauntered about, others who were evidently dry-land bathers were accoutred in all sorts of pyjama and light flannel trouser .wear. It was the truly family aspect of the crowd that appealed most. Everywhere there were perambulators, and those who, in the stream of people who wandered rubbing shoulders up and down between- the stalls or rambled about amongst the hundreds of people of both sexes sun-bathing on the warm sand, found their progress everywhere impeded by perambulators or limpideyed toddlers, enjoyed the spectacle of Wellington in family gala mood. The Minister of Education (the Hon Mr. P. Fraser) fitted into this milieu like a glove, and, mounted on a packing case, after being 'introduced by Mr. C. Patchett, made a record Ministerial speech in a minute and a half, having shaken hands with ■ a-clown with a concertina en route up the steps. Apologising for the absence of the- Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) who was debarred by indisposition from opening a function on a spot which he has always considered was not sufficiently appreciated, Mr. Fraser told the object of the carnival, the raising of sufficient funds to send the Tramways Band to the New Ply mouth.competitions, Paying a tribute to the band, and indeed to all Wellington, bands, Mr. Fraser 4 hoped that everybody would enjoy themselves, which they promptly did. Both Mrs. Fraser and Mrs. v Semple -were present '•■■'-. The Tramways Band had the promise of a good deal of support in this venture, but it gradually lapsed, and the band how has practically the sole responsibility of the nine days' carnival, shared, fortunately, by the efforts of sympathetic bodies, such as the Lyall Bay Surf Club, Kilbirnie R.S.A., etc. These, ably backed by' the members of the tramways staff and friends, all have stalls and sideshows, where by cockshies' for chocolates, games of skill, and more wily attractions, they try (with some success) to make money for the purpose of the carnival. The oi-ganisers have also engaged the services of some professional entertainers and sideshow artists, some of whose turns were put on free, and the 200----yard street of fun, with its crowd of happy people, seemed to be doing well yesterday. The ' Tramway Band, of course, is in evidence on the musical side at intervals. The executive is comprised- of Messrs. C. Patchett (chairman), K. Alexander, E. O'Brien, E. Franklyn, A. Christison, A. Edwards, and C. H. Wilson. . ' •The management was, like the public during the recent elections, rather stunned by^the response to the appeal, and, indeed, for awhile, people were rather at' a loss as to what to do, or how to avoid each other, but they soon found out, and the show practically ran itself. Amongst, the attractions were a fatk lady, Punch and Judy shows, trained dogs, many mysteries in tents, evidently most diverting, the world's smallest married couple (wellknown entertainers in many lands), and a general miscellancy of merriment on a scale unprecedented at Kilbirnie. After some wonderful trapeze work at a height of about 40 feet, one of the enterprising professional sideshowmen gave a,rather realistic demonstration of a gilde to death. Hanging he t ad downwards by his toes, from a bar on welloiled pulleys, he sailed down a ' taut rope for some forty yards into a canvas held by amateurs, who did not hold the "net" at the right angle, and the artist, whose, work had been loud^ ly-applauded, struck the edge of the canvas, and just; missed the landward post of -Atis aerial, rising apparently hone 'the worse, after .haying genfer-, ously given: a free entertainment. ■'.'■'; - Amongst the items that will give zest to visitors' there will be continued throughout: the remaining eight days the. following events:—Punch- and Judy show, wrestling, tug-of-vvar heats, bathing bea'>ies' parade, miniature railways, merry-go-rounds, children's races ashore, swimming races from the Patent Slip, parade of children's decorated vehicles, confetti battles with flares, pram races from the city, children's trick dog parade, etc. The bathing beauties' parade will be a continuous fixture, the winners being decided by purchased votes. This merry show, which will be carried on until January 4, should prove that,;;whether the reclamation of the harbour at this point makes better bathing available or not, the spot is a popular one. ■ On Sunday next the Tramways Band will'giye'a special'programme.