SUMNER GALA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18042, 8 March 1919, Page 10

SUMNER GALA.

No gala at Sumner has been attempted on a more liberal scale than that which tok<£ Place to-day. The is the most attractive and and the support accorded by <rtW«Uo clubs and sympainisers in and around the city the most spontaneous yet received. A largo and energetic general committeo has 3at work, and last night here were rTny evidences about the pxer,. °£out " all the events will be run, 01 the lesulle 01 their work. For tho day a. «>mP schema of decoration by means of. flags and bunting ras been devised which «,oludea a splendid display of colour from the flagstaff of tie Cave Rock. For the evening ilhuninatioiis over four ' hundred coloured electric ligiita. have been, apcciolly wired to the pier as a donation by Mr P. Keig, of Sumner, and mode for a display of Chinese lanterns between the electric poles on tne whole Esplanade front from the tramway bridge to the pier. Two bands havo W cnßOged, tho Lyttelton Marine for the afternoon and the Tramway for the evemng, so that good music is assured. Ine water events have attracted a largo number of entries. They include rowing eventa under the supervision of the Canterbury Rowing) Association, maiden . doubles and youths doubles, sailing and motor launch races under the Christchurch and Brighton Sailing! and Power Boat Clubs, and swimming events undor the Canterbury Association. A largo variety of athletic events, including open events, amateur and children's races, and a one-mile bicycle race, under tho Canterbury Amateur Athletio Association, have also been included in the programme. A number of novelty ©vents, too, will embrace egg and spoon raoes, thread-the-needle and kite racing, while thoro will be the ovor-spectaciilar water Bid-ing. motor boat and motor-car rides, sheep guessing, bran tubs and a special display of life-savingi by representatives from the Taylor's Mistake, North Beach, Brighton and Sumner Surf Bathing Clubs. Mr Oarlislo Atkinson has specially offered! to give a . demonstralion of breast-stroke swimming. As he is the ex-world's champion of bTcast : stroke . swimming, and has just returned from the front, his item will bo immensely popular. The Broward Children, too, have promised to give ••.heir wonderful exhibition of water work, and shortly after four o'clock the lifeboat Rescue will be manned to try conclusions with some of tho roughest water in' front of the pier. Special tents and marquees have already been erected for afternoon tea, the produce stall, tweets stall and side shows of all sorts. The whole function will be centred round tho pier, and, with a fine. da,y promising, a record attendance is looked forward for. .