THE MARDI GRAS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 316, 28 December 1916, Page 3

THE MARDI GRAS.

YESTERDAY’S DOINGS. MASQUERADERS REVELRY. The uncertainty of the weather yesterday interfered considerably with the “Mardi Gras” programme of fun, but despite the fact that the intermittent showers of rain had a dampening effect, the merry masqueraders assembled on the Marine Parade, at 1.30 p.m., about one hundred strong, clad in raiment oi‘ many colours and all there for fun. After manoeuvring ’midst the soothing showers for about half-an-hour, the merry baud, headed by the Napier City Band, paraded the main streets and were then left to roam about and create fun for themselves while the City Band journeyed to the Municipal Theatre where the following programme was gone through:—• Baby Show, Doll Dressing Competition and Tug-o’-w%r Contests.

Mr. T. Jaffrav’s troupe of dancers, Mi sses E. and AL. Alexander, M. E. and A. Bald, A. Cox and M. Russell, E. and L. Walker, I. Yates, W. O’Connor, gave two interesting Highland flings. Mr. P. W. Fowler’s juvenile orchestra supplied an enjoyable programme of music. DOLL DRESSING. Only two competitors turned up for the doll dressing competition, Misses Kathleen Bad and May Proctor, the prizes being carried off by them respectively. The judges (Mesdamcs H. IV. Thompson and R. C. Wright) remarked that both dolls were handsomely dressed—could not be better. TUG-OF-WAR CONTESTS.

The Tug-o’-war contests proved to be the most exciting events of the programme, and aroused unlimited enthusiasm amongst the competitors’ fellow-mates. The following teams contested—Marist Bros. A., Greeumeadows Fly Catchers, Marist Brothers 8., Napier City Drum and Fife Band, Albert Goer’s team (Hastings), Greenmeadows Eel Catchers, Marist Bros. C. and Goat Gully Tigers. The first pud in Section A, was taken by Marist Brothers A. v. Greenmeadows Fly Catchers and resulted in the former winning by 9iu. The second pull was by Marist Brothers B v. Napier City Drum and Fife Baud and resulted in the kilter coming first by 9in.

lu the semi-finals between these two winning teams, Marist Brothers A beat Drum and Fife team by "in. The Pirates A then pulled City Drum and Fife and won by 23in. In the semi-final Marist v. Pirates, 1 lie latter was first by 2Jin.. but in the final Marist A defeated Pirates by )in. C.ass B : In the second class, Albert. Goers (Hastings) v. Greenmeadows Fly Catchers, the latter came .first- by 12in. In the second pull Marist C v. Goat Gully Tigers, the former won by

2Jin. Two pulis were then made by the two winning teams “Eel Catchers” and Marist C’s, and proved the most exciting of all tugs, each one being a dead tie. In the final, however, the Greenmeadows Eel Catchers beat Marists by Clin. ' An interesting exhibition was given by “Goat Guliy Tigers” and Greenmeadows Eel CatchersTHE BABY SHOW. At 2 o’clock the great item of the “Gras,” the judging of the babies, commenced in the Circle Lounge, before Dr. Deck of Waipawa, and continued for about three hours, a tuneful caterwaul being kept up continually. About ninety mothers congregated there, and each one endeavoured to look more proud of her little “man” or “woman,” than her neighbour. The sight of the bonny little children was extremely enjoyabm. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, a few of the children did not put in an appearance. Owing to the numerous entries it was found necessary to form a basis of selection —it being that the biggest weights in each class be taken as first and the final selections made from these.

The results are as follows: — Boys under six months.—Gerald Sinden (Napier) 1, Noel Cresswell (Napier), 2, and George A. Burtenshaw 3. Girls under six months—Freda Norma Moir (Taradale) 1, Mavis MaryIreland (Waipukurau) 2,. Elmer M. Robson (Greenmeadows) 3. Boys under 12 months. —William AV. Clothier (Napier) 1, Stanley- C. Robson (Greenmeadows) 2, Thomas J. Sylvester and Clarence Taylor (Hastings) 3. Girls under 12 months.—Nola Gebbic (Napier), J. Mabel McKenzie (Dannevi rke) 2, Sadie Rumpier (Napier) 3. Over 12 and under 18 months (boys and girls). —Edward C. Jaspers 1, George Mollett (Hastings) 2. Peggy High (Hastings) 3. Twins. ; —Gordon Elliott and .Lawrence F. Guthrie (Havelock N.) 1, Helen Harriet George and Aileen A. George (Hastings), Aileen Mullany and Margaret Mullany (Napier) 2 (equal). Soldiers’ Babies —Eric Corry (Napier) 1. Only entry. CHAMPIONS. It was at first intended that the champion baby- boy and girl should be selected from classes either over or under six months, but the judge held that it was unfair to allow the younger class to compete with the older and it was decided to grant prizes in each class. The results are as follow :— Boys under six months. —Gerald Sinden, Napier. Boys over six months. —William Av. Clothier, Napier. Girls under six months. —Freda N. Moir, Taradale. Girls over six months. —Nola Gebbte, Napier. THE MASQUERADERS PARADE. ACCOMPANIED BY THE RAIN.

Long before seven o’clock last evening the Marine Parade and town were filled with the masked merrymakers, who were determined to have their “night.” The weather _ seemed somewhat- settled until 7.45, but immediately the procession began to move the rain did likewise. Many hundreds of people, all shapes and sizes, and clad in costumes imitative of everything possible, jjoined up in the procession, each carrying a lighted Chinese lantern. The parade, which was nearly a mile in length presented a unique and highly pleasing spectacle. The Napier City 'Band headed the procession and was followed closely by the gaily illuminated display, “China,” which took prominence in the main procession. The City Drum and Fife Band were also in attendance and both bands rendered enlivening tunes, in keeping with the spirit of the masqueraders. The route taken was along Marine Parade, down Latham street, , Nelson crescent. Kennedy road, and into the Park. During the entire time of the parade the rain poured down incessantly, but although it extinguished inanv of the celestial burners, it failed to dampen the people’s spirits. When the destination was reached everyone was absolutely soaked, but once there things went briskly and the side shows, merry-go-rounds, etc., did excellent business. Later in the, evening the weather broke and dancing was indulged in in the arena. When in the vicinity of 11 p.m. the band struck up the “National Anthem,” and the masqueraders gradually wended their home, after having “some” fun. This concludes the “Mardi Gras” programme .