ST. CLAIR CARNIVAL

Evening Star, Issue 19795, 20 February 1928, Page 5

ST. CLAIR CARNIVAL

GENEROUS PUBLIC RESPONSE OVER £1,700 IN THREE DAYS That the people of Dunedin are not lacking in a spirit of civic enterprise was shown in striking fashion by the result of the carnival held at St. Clair on three days of last week for the purpose ol rai- .'i provide mure dressing accommodation (V-» bather* for other facilities about the beach. No less a sum than £1,700 was taken, which means that, after the deduction of expenses, there will be considerably over £I,OOO to be spent on the beach. That is almost certain to bo augmented by the City Council, which must recognise that it will assuredly be in the city’s interest to do something for a project in which the public has shown such a live interest.

The carnival, which was organised by a committee of the recently-revived St. Clair Improvement Society, was one of the most successful of the kind ever held in Dunedin. So successful was it, in fact, that it is a foregone conclusion that the promoters will have to make the carnival an annual affair. The complete success of the show is a tribute to the committee in charge, of which Mr A. G. Fenwick was the president and Mr F. H. Dampen the energetic secretary, to the numerous ladies and gentlemen who worked so indefatigably, and to the public of Dunedin for its generous response. People evidently recognised that it was not a local affair, but a matter concerning the welfare of the whole city. The city has every reason to feel proud of the splendid result. All roads led to the carnival on Saturday afternoon, thousands going by tram, motor, and foot, and soon the esplanade and its surroundings held an animated mass of humanity, who showed great interest in the various attractions provided for their amusement. Again the amusement park, with its various devices reminiscent of the Exhibition, was a centre of attraction, and brisk business was done on all sides. The various stalls for the sale of ices, drinks, cakes, sweets, Rowers, etc., also attracted very considerable patronage. Lively band music entertained a large section of the crowd, and another attraction was the surf life-saving competition for the Sagar Shield, in which a number of teams took part. A ladies’ life-saving team also gave a meritorious display of life-saving. Half a dozen small ponies were available for rides for children, at the charge of a penny a time, and over 2,000 tickets were sold to youngsters.

Probably the greatest attraction on Saturday afternoon was the bathing beauties’ competition, in which there were fourteen entries, the young ladies displaying their charms before a large and admiring crowd. The prize-winner was Miss Kiwi Whetted. The judge of this competition was Dr Marion Whyte, Mrs Evans assisting. No fewer than 130 babies were entered in the baby show, the judge (Dr Findlay Allan), with his assistants (Mrs Piddington and Mrs Poutlodge) being kept busy for about three hours, ’1 he judges reported that the general appearance and condition of the various entrants were such as to cause difficulty in arranging the position of the winning babies, if there was a special word of honor for any particular entrant it had to be given, they said, to Baby Grant who came first in the nine to eighteen months section lor boys, as well as being declared the best baby in the show. The committee was fortunate in securing the services ol Dr Allan. The results wereßoys under nine months, Baby Constable 1, Baby Ellis 2; girls under nine months, Baby Shore ],' Baby Tyrie 2; boys from nine to eighteen months, Baby Grant 1, Baby Gatehouse 2; girls from nine to eighteen months. Baby Scott 1, Baby Baker 2; twins, Babies Wilson; baby on show (special prize). Baby Grant, It was an animated and colorful scone in ’he evening. Mnnv who had been on tho beach in the afternoon stayed through till the evening, and verv early the crowd commenced to swell to huge dimensions. By 8 o clock it was estimated that the crowd was greater than on tho opening night and that there wore on the, nay to ‘At.OOP people present. Fancy costumes of all shapes ami sizes were- again prominent. and balloons, paper hats, tin whistles and other instruments making weird noises added to the general carnival effect. Unfortunately rain began to fall alter 9 o’clock, but, though it drove many homo, thousands Mill remained to enjoy tho fun of the fair. Tho amusement park was kept going busily till about half-past 11. one rolldown. as a matter of fact, doing business till nearly midnight. Bound the band rotunda thousands listened to the music of the band of tho Ist Battalion, Otago Regiment, and later an orchestra provided music, to which hundreds of young people, despite tho rain, danced merrily. Tho tun became greater when the popular comedian, George Wallace, accompanied by Marshall Crosby and a lady member of tho company, appeared and received a rousing welcome. Their vocal efforts and combined fooling provoked great merriment. Tho display _of fireworks _by Chinese residents during the evening was watched with interest and admiration.

Tho President of the Improvement Society (Mr A. G. Fenwick) thanked tho public for its liberal support, and asked that any shortcomings of tho committee he forgiven, as this was its first attempt to run a carnival. He read a telegram from Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., who expressed delight at the success of tho carnival and trusted tlmt it would result in material improvement to tho amenities of tho district. Mr Fenwick (hen introduced tho “ Administrator of White Island,” whose humorous and witty speech created great laughter. The number of the winning badge on Saturday night was 7.641, (he holder ol which will receive a prize..

The tram service was run in its utmost capacity both on Saturday afternoon and evening, and the large crowd was carried to and from St. Clair without accident. It was not till late in the evening that it was decided to run cars from St. Clair till about midnight. H was a pity this decision was not made and announced earlier, as it would have obviated much crushing and discomfort earlier, when the public was under the impression that the cars would stop running at (he snal time. However, all round the department cooperated very well with the Carnival Committee, and the tram revenue must have benefited very considerably. The takings on Saturday afternoon and evening totalled over £OOO, which, with the £450 taken on Thursday night and tire £OOO taken on Friday night, gives a total of about £1,700.