HASTINGS’ CARNIVAL

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11495, 24 November 1931, Page 2

HASTINGS’ CARNIVAL

‘ TO OPEN TO-DAY TOWN WELL ADVANCED IN 'RECONSTRUCTION. - (Press .Association* HASTINGS, Nov. 23. As a sort of gesture of defiance at a .circumstance which has treated the, town very badly this year, Hastings will hold a throe.days’ carnival from. Tuesday to Thursday of this week, and there will be a school holiday on Wednesday, when special excursion trains will run from Napier and ’ southern Hawke’s Bay stations. Processions are to - be held every afternoon and evening. The streets will he universally decorated, and specially lighted, and each afternoon and evening there will be sports and merrymaking. The carnival will be the biggest thing of its kind ever attempted in this district, the whole business community sharing in the organisation and giving whole-hearted support. The carnival was first conceived as a means of raising funds for the relief of distress among unemployed and returned soldiers, but soon took on a more general aspect, and brought in the whole town with it, its first purpose being forgotten iu a general hope and belief that bettor times are ahead. The town is well advanced in the work of reconstruction, . and along tho principal. street blocks of shops have gone up with surprising rapidity.. Tenders for others are being let almost daily: In addition to nearly. 200 temporary permits- for buildings erected immediately after the earthuako, and representing about 350 shops and offices, 190 permits lor permanent buildings have been issued since April. Tho expenditure represented is £l-41,698. , Other largo buildings soon to be begun include four banks, the Post Office, and the Grand Hotel., As the chairman of tho Retailers Association has said: “What has boon accomplished has been largely without assistance from tho Rehabilitation Committee. The town is not yet out of the wood, and the carnival is not being held in any spirit of jubliiation ovqr the past, but. rather ascii urge to shed past cares and tribulation and look forward with-con-fidence 14 happiness and good business in the reconstructed town.’’