CARNIVAL'S REIGN

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1937, Page 13

CARNIVAL'S REIGN

EVANS BAY GALA

N€W YEAR WELCOMED Scenes of gaiety welcomed New Year at the Wellington Municipal Tramways Band's holiday fair on the Evans Bay foreshore on Thursday night. From the fall of darkness, a constant stream of people poured into the fair grounds to be entertained by the many and varied attractions. As midnight approached, flares were lighted throughout the grounds. The | change from the old to the new was signalled by a confetti battle which raged among the tents and side shows. The crowds of the afternoon were supplemented until there was hardly room for more in the crowded fair streets. After being attacked in mid-harbour by Chinese pirates, who apparently had made the trip from Bias Bay for this express purpose, the ferry steamer Muritai, loaded to the funnel with excursionists and corsairs, arrived at Miramar Wharf. As the vessel entered Evans Bay a convoy of speedboats dashed out to meet her and entertain the excursionists with their manoeuvres. A little later Father Neptune boarded the Muritai with appropriate ceremony, and by the time the Miramar Wharf was reached a large crowd had gathered to meet the visitors. A procession was formed and moved off to the fair grounds with appropriate torch light and high revelry. A most successful night was reported by all stall-holders, and the merry-go-rounds, Devil 'Plane, chairplanes, and side-shows were kept working at top speed until the early hours. SPEEDBOAT v. AEROPLANE. In the afternoon a good crowd on the beach witnessed a spectacular contest between the speed-boat Baby Taubman, manned by her owner, Mr. R. Moult, and Mr. C. Headland, and a Wellington Aero Club machine piloted by Squadron-Leader G. L. Stedman. Though the aeroplane swooped low over the racing launch, which was travelling at full speed parallel with the shore, it could not score a hit but its pilot gave a remarkable exhibition with flour "bombs." He swooped so low that the crowds along the shore claimed the rush of air from his propellers could be felt. The Baby Taubman's speed was not equal to that of the aeroplane but her pilot showed such skill at the tiller that a I hit could not be registered. However, j it was clear that a similar contest where live bombs were used would have finished with the complete disappearance of the Baby Taubman. On Thursday afternoon many children were present to receive souvenir badges, and to hear the 2YA children's hour broadcast from various points of the carnival by Aunt Molly and Uncle Toby. The fair is now to run until next Saturday, January 9. REGATTA RESULTS. Four races were conducted yesterday afternoon by the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor-boat Club in conjunction with the fair. The results are as follows:— T Class Yachts. (Started at 3.14 p.m.) Maureen, 4h 16m 50s •-*- 1 Robin, 4h 17m 30s 2 Ajax, 4h 18m 50s 3 Frollicker, 4h 19m 20s; Imp, 4h 21m ss; Popeye, 4h 22m 17s; Valpeen, 4h 28m 355; Wee May, Weka, and Peewee did not finish. Idle-Alongs. (Started at 3.24 p.m.) Pegaway, 4h 56m 32s ~-. 1 Courier, 4h 57m •• 2 Belvedere, 4h 57s 55s 3 Resolute, 5h 0m 38s; Aileen, 5h 2m 435;. Altair, 5h 2m 50s; Restless, 5h 2m 595; Damfino I, 5h 3m 335. Speedboat Races. (Started at 3.30.) Spindrift, 3h 48m 5s 1 Aotearoa. 3h 50m 2 Spitfire, 3h 51m 3 Second race (started at 4.45.) Spitfire, 4h 57m 55s 1 Aotearoa, 4h 57m 57s 2 Spindrift, 4h 57m 59s 3