FIFTY YEARS A BOROUGH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21578, 25 February 1932, Page 14

FIFTY YEARS A BOROUGH

HAWERA’S JUBILEE (Pee United Press Association.) HAWERA, February 24. Hawcra’s festival programme celebrating the jubilee of the proclamation of the borough on January 2, 1882, was commenced this afternoon when the Mayor (Mr E. A. Pacey) gave an address, paying a tribute to the pioneers in municipal administration. He then conferred four days’ freedom of the borough on King Carnival, whose sprites promptly arrested the demons of Gloom, Slump, Depression, and Despair,'and imprisoned them in the Carnival Castle, whence they emerged entwined in garlands, the personification of happiness. A monster street procession followed by Maoris portraying the arrival in Taranaki of the ancient Aotea canoe. The vehicles depicted the evolution of transport from the bullock dray to aeroplanes. European costumes of 50 years ago contrasting with modern fashions were among other features of the long procession which took half an hour to pass a given point. , It is estimated that'over 10,000 spectators thronged the route to, the showgrounds, where a gymkhana was held. In preparation for the night attractions for the, remainder of the week over 5000 coloured lights have been used to festoon the buildings in the central part of the town over which illuminated planes are to fly.