HUTT GALA.

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

HUTT GALA.

Should local meteorological conditions prove more favourable to such a laudable enterprise than last year, the forthcoming Easter Gala pageant at the Recreation Ground this year should easily eclipse and event of similar nature yet held in Lower Hutt. Last year's Gala —chiefly owing to adverse weather conditions—did not prove a financial success; and, only by the optimistic tenacity of a few citizens, gathered together under the auspices of the recently-formed permanent Hutt Gala and Beautifying Society, has this year's Gala been launched. After several weeks of steady conference together, the cooperation of local sports bodies brightened up matters considerably. Many additional helpers—including members of the Waiwetu Progressive Association —have since come' forward, -and individually and collectively devoting their energies in the direction of making this year's Gala (D.V.) a pronounced and welldeserving success.

If only as a friendly gesture towards the "United Hutt Valley" this journal is striving to see come about the forthcoming Easter Gala at Lower Hutt—to improve and beautify its playing areas—should easily commend itself to unstinted universal support. Attracting, as it does, thousands of patrons from the big city of smoke, dust, and noise, to come out and enjoy holiday freedom from such influences —amidst our rural-beautious residential areas of settlement here awaiting them to soon or later participate in—this splendid form of publicity, once a year, can but be for the commonweal of its citizens, one and all. In any case, the die is cast —the fun of the fair is on —and, in every way possible, let citizens of Lower Hutt help this year's Gala deservedly along.

This year's Gala patrons will enjoy a well-balanced programme of spectacular events, including a Seven-a-side Rugby Tournament, athletic sports meeting, gymnastic display by a troupe of V.M.C.A. performers, and drill movements by Hutt High School .students, Highland dancing, and a grand fireworks display and motor procession These major items will naturally be supplemented by the customary side-shows, including ocean waves, merry-go-rounds, shooting galleries, and such like pastimes, always calculated to keep patrons amply amused at these functions. The usual stalls, doing trade in supplying the crowd with needed refreshments, sweets, etc., will naturally be well patronised as heretofore. A great boon this year will be a ladies' restroom of ample proportions to meet the needs of so large an attendance of women and children as usually congregate at the Recreation Reserve at Gala periods.

At time of writing there seemed every hope of eliciting the active support of our local Natives in producing a party of Otaki Natives to come round from Manawatu and join them

in some spectacular demonstration calculated to give our many Homeland residents, newly come to New Zealand, some idea of Native talent— hakas, poi-dances, etc. —not often staged, nowadays, for even older inhabitants to witness, as in days of yore. As this side of the programme naturally entails a fair amount .of expense, by way of transit arrangements, only the risk of unfavourable weather conditions may mar its eventuality; but, we trust, no future Gala programme will overlook definitely placing such a characteristic display of Native talent "within patrons' review.

As the local organ of public opinion, this journal wishes to be associated with the recent letter of thanks forwarded the Railway Department by the Gala Executive. By its running of special trains at reduced fares (including admission to the Gala) this Department of State renders just the necessary help needed in advertising both the Gala and the new Moera Settlement, at one and the same time. That some extra thousands will avail themselves of this double opportunity goes without saying, many of whom, v/e trust, will be Easter visitoi-s, this year, and Hutt Valley residents, next. Truly the Hutt Gala, if continuously staged year by .year,..must.accomplish, for the district generally, great and lasting good.

An alarming, and we trust unfounded, rumour is being freely circulated, here in the Hutt, as to the vigilance of parents being exercised in the direction of the possible "apprehending" of a certain individual (of the sexual-pervert type) alleged to be working his evil machinations in the vicinity of one of its hitherto safest upland haunts of happy childhood to roam in (free and unprotected) from dawn unto dusk. A potential burglar can be arrested upon "mere suspicion," but these social pests— alas, for innocent childhood —have to be "caught in the act." Truly, as Josh Billings so aptly described it— "The law is a hass!" •