CARNIVAL WEEK-END OPENS

Northern Advocate, 24 October 1936, Page 6

CARNIVAL WEEK-END OPENS

FIRST STAGE OF GYMKHANA LAST NIGHT

BAND CONTESTS TO-DAY ; SPORTS ON MONDAY

a town crier tolling the merry bell, announcement was YY made to a crowded Whangarei last night of the coming of the v gymkhana. . Twenty young athletes were there to bear the torch, or .at least provide iian equally arresting spectacle—that of a tyre-bowling contest for the length of Cameron Street. Most of Whangarei must have awakened in the early hours of this morning by the storm which hit the town, bringing with it torrents of rain, 'brilliant lightning and heavy thunder. Hopes of a fine week-end must have faded. • But it was what was wanted to clear the atmosphere, and a few hours >ater the sun shone - brightly in a clear sky. , ' Whangarei was in luck’s way! , Early this morning the town was invaded by a big contingent of bandsmen and others, and the band contests commenced this afternoon. They iwill be continued tomorrow, and on Monday the gymkhana itself will be the attraction. V

'PE CIVIC RECEPTION. i - Rarely has a function held at the Whangarei Town Hall comprised such S large percentage of men among those in attendance as was the case this morning, when the visiting bandsmen were tendered a civic reception. There were bandsmen and boys of all ages, «md a large number of townsfolk, not forgetting a fair. sprinkling of _the fabrer sex attracted by the brilliant uniforms and smart demeanour of the musicians.

short time ago, southern bands were regarded as being the best in the Dominion, there was now a distinct tendency for progression in, the North. The bands had another three years to prepare the monster competitions which would be held as part of the Centenary celebrations, and it was likely then that the winning band would get a Very big trip. The reception closed with the singing of the National Anthem, after which the visitors were escorted to their billets.

•i Good weather for the start was a happy augury for the whole gymkhana, said Mr W. James, President of the Whangarei A. and.P. Society, in extending a welcome' to the visitors. “We had anticipated* no difficulty in arranging billets for all,” he said. ' v “But you have come in such overwhelniing numbers, aridhave brought so many friends and supporters, whom we afe; all delighted to see in Whan■~j ■ garei, that we have been a little embarrassed in this matter. Accommodation in the town; is fully taxed, but we have done the best we can, and I am sure, you will all go away having. enjoyed yourselves, W and believing, ? u ®, that Whangarei is the best . part of New Zealand,” , > OPTIMISM AND ENERGY. , k His Worship the Mayor, attired in his robes of office, Welcomed the visitors ,bn behalf of the Borough Council and Optimism, enthusiasm and /energy, he said, had been well exemplified in the person of the A, & P. Society president since early that morning. ' Recalling the treatment extended to .him on his arrival in the town 25 years before, Mr Jones said he could vouch t j|or the hospitality of the Whangarei y', ipepple. “If you Want any informa- ' tion 'or assistance whatever,” he said, fdo not hesitate to ask the/first person . you meet in the street. He or she will ' take pleasure in helping you and making your stay more pleasant.” / Referring to the provincial contests, /which opened this afternoon, the Mayor said that winning or losing did npt matter. Such tests were a pleasarid an education, and were a fine thing in enabling those with kindred interests to meet and mingle. The president of the Whangarei Municipal Band, Mr. St, C. Jounneaux, "/ ' thanking the Whangarei A. and P, Society for undertaking .most of the organisation for the competition, expressed the hope that the North Island bands would shortly unite for the purppse of themselves staging similar competitions in every, town and centre which could support a band. “Coinpetitions keep the bands together,” he remarked, “and bring thousands of people to see and hear you, so that they also meet friends, all assisting towards bringing about better fellowship and understanding.

“Music Is wanted badly in New Zealand,” Mr Jounneaux continued. “It inspires cheerfulness and optimism, and, as musicians, you j 1 have freat power in your hands to [ bring pleasure and sociability.” \>

GENTLEMEN FIRST. A reply was made on behalf of the visitors by Captain G. Buckley (president of the Auckland Provincial Brass Bands Association). The contests at Whangarei, he said, had been awaited with great pleasure. After strenuous travelling, conductors were always a little anxious as to. whether their, organisations would be able to produce the best that was in them, but all bandsmen would emulate the ideals of citizenship which had been instilled into them. He appealed to them to be gentlemen first and then musicians. Captain Buckley said it was a pleasure to be associated with the presentation of a band contest in Whangarei. “It is a bright town,”, he said, “and as I am paying my first visit here, I was surprised and greatly impressed to find such a thriving centre north of Auckland. Whangarei has, and has always possessed, a fine band, one of which the citizens should be proud.” Captain Buckley said that while a