GALA NEWS.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 26, 30 March 1928, Page 7

GALA NEWS.

All roads lead to the Recreation Grounds at Lower Hutt, for the big Gala on Easter Saturday and Monday next, and we expect those roads to be thronged by residents and visitors from all parts of New Zealand. There will be something to amuse both old and young—not a dull moment during the day or evening. So come along!

A seven-a-side Rugby football tournament will be the main feature on Saturday afternoon, and there will be a procession, Highland dancing, boxing, and fireworks in the evening. On Easter Monday there will be a procession, amateur athletic sports in the af fcer-noqny; and a V.M.C.A. physical dinll "rfKspJayo and ; fireworks in the evening. Novelty events will also take place on. Easter Monday. A further attraction will be the railway excursion to the Moera Settlement, where the excursionists will see the great development which has taken place. Half the proceeds of the gala will be spent in improving the Hutt Valley High School grounds, and the remainder will be divided among the sports bodies assisting in the effort.

The Lower Hutt Silver Band has been engaged to play for the Hutt Gala Society for Easter Saturday and Monday. This entails much sacrifice on the part of members, many of whom would otherwise be away holi-day-making.

A sheep has been kindly donated through His Worship the Mayor and will be disposed of in a guessing competition.

The Committee has been fortunate in securing the floodlights from the Basin Reserve. This will ensure the success of the evening functions and displays.

And don't forget the magnificent fireworks display on Easter Saturday and Monday evenings. After enjoying the many attractions provided in the daytime, these will give you a something to talk about for a long time to come.

As an added inducement for local motorists to deck their cars and join in Easter Saturday evening's grand procession from Lower Hutt station to the Recreation Reserve, Mr. L. T. Watkins (chairman of Gala Executive Committee) is offering a prize of one guinea for the best decorated car taking part therein, and a further guinea for the best decorated motorvehicle (other than motor-car) from among the several municipal, Electric Power Board, and other motor vehicles promising likewise to take part in the procession, which will be headed by the local brass band or the Petone (Highland) Pipe Band (or both), whilst the local fire brigade are to light the way with coloured flares. The Boy Scouts are also invited, "Band and Banner," to join in making the grand procession a really spectacular event. "Hey ho! come to the Fair!"

What with a grand procession. Highland lads and lassies dancing to the skirl of the pipes, and other costumed dancers doing one-step movements on the green (to the lively strains of a jazz band), a boxing tournament, a few confetti fights, and other things too numerous to mention (as auctioneers say), there'll be plenty to keep the crowd amused at the Recreation Ground on Easter Saturday evening. Then there's the fireworks display. Everybody will, of course, say "A-h-h-h! what a pretty sight!" and then, reluctantly, make for home.

Local motorists will be well advised to obey all traffic signals during the Gala period, as full authority is this year given the Gala Traffic Inspector (and his staff) to report any motorist who disregai-ds the few precautionary measures necessary to protect pedestrians, and even themselves, from mishap of any kind whilst traversing certain streets during certain hours. Their hearty co-operation in this respect is anticipated, but a few

motorists, last Easter, were inclined to give trouble by treating Gala traffic signals as a sort of joke.

Orongorongo sportsmen are forsaking the mountains this Easter, in hopes of catching their supply of "cheap pork" on the Recreation Reserve, when "Billy" Morrison lets loose the "greasy pig" which he is daily annointing with a secret preparation of his own that is calculated to keep these professional pigstickers, and the local braves likewise, exceptionally busy chasing poor "jJenis" all over the Fair.

The Gala Executive has "cornered" all the cocoanuts in the city markets for the boys of the village patronising "Aunt Sally" corner, on the Recreation Ground, during Easter. After eight hundred have "gone west," of course (like the ten little nigger boys), there'll be none!

♦ ♦ * Many more lady helpers are needed to assist in the refreshment booths. Hand iv your names to Mts MacMillan at the Council Chambers.