THE NAPIER CARNIVAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13700, 17 March 1908, Page 6

THE NAPIER CARNIVAL.

A SUCCESSFUL OPENING

PROGRESS OF THE PORT.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION".]

Napier, Monday. Napier inaugurated its 10 days' carnival today under conditions of a promising nature. The town was crowded with visitors, and the weather, though chilly, was fine. All the main streets were gaily decked with bunting, mostly sent by the Government. from Wellington, and a holiday feeling pervaded the place. The official opening took place on the Marine Parade rotunda, where brief addresses were, delivered by the Hon. .1. A. Millar (Minister for Labour), the M'ayor (Mr. J. Vigor Brown), and others. An interesting ceremony took place in the cathedral yesterday, when the old battalion colours were given into tin! sacred keeping of the Church. There was a monster turnout of volunteers and the public, and the ceremony was most impressive.

Fifty years ago there was no province of Hawke's Bay. The area, now the scene of so many social and industrial activities, was a region of swamp, forest, and; grazing ground, administered from Wellington, and native troubles abounded. Hawke's Bay will not have completed its 50th year as a province till October 31 next. Thirty years ago the value of the borough for rating purposes was, in round figures, £38,000. Today rates are collected from properties whose letting values reach the total of £105,000, representing a. capital value of fully two millions sterling. Thirty years ago what is now called Port Ahuriri, and was then styled the Spit, was a wilderness of desolation, the main features of which were shingle wastes and lagoons. Napier now is a picturesque town. Something of this is due to advantages of site, the sweep of the bay and the expanse of the waters, confined by its shores, being nature's gifts to Napier. But it is astonishing how much the natural prospect has been enhanced by what man has done. The esplanade, wide and clean, and bordered with Norfolk Island pines, emphasises and accentuates the beauty of the outlook. With reference to the breakwater, the first block of the structure was laid on January 25, 1887, and on December 31 last the length of finished work was 2674 ft. When completed the .area of the harbour provided will be about 120 acres, with a depth for more than half that area of 27ft at low-water spring tide. A recent contract let to the Ferro-Concrete Company provides for extensions to the Glasgow Wharf, so that in about, 18 months ocean liners will be able to berth there. In 1891 the capital value of the Napier Harbour Board rating district was assessed at six millions and a half. It is now 12 millions.

The native gala, held on the Recreation Ground to-day, was an immense success. The attendance was a record for any sports gathering in .Napier, and the crowd on the ground was only exceeded on the occasion of the visit of the Imperial troops. It is estimated that near I}'1}' 8000 people were present. The programme comprise:! hakas, pot dances, cake walks, tug-of-war, wrestling, jumping, running, and bicycle events. Many of the visitors described the dancing, both of the hakas and pois, as superior to that seen at the Exhibition. The bowling tournament in connection with the carnival was commenced to-day, and the following is the result of the play: — FIRST KOT7ND. Section A : Dannevirke, 19, beat Napier, 17; St. John's, 22, beat Wellington, 21; Marton, 24, beat Greenmeadows, 15. Section B: Bluff Hill, 35, beat Hastings, 10; Palmerston North, 21, beat Napier, 20; Gisborne beat Greenmeadows ; Masterton a bye. SECOXD ROUND. Section A : Dannevirke, 23, beat Palj merston North. 9; Napier, 27, beat Welj lington. 17; St. John's, 23, beat Greenj meadows, 15 ; Palmerston North, 31, beat ! Marton, 19. Section B: Bluff Hill, 25. beat Napier, ; 22; Palmerston North, 21, beat Hastings, I 15; Greenmeadows, a bye.