FLORAL SPLENDOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26704, 25 February 1948, Page 4

FLORAL SPLENDOUR

Spectacular Presentation of Floats MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY The splendid designs and excellent presentations of the floats in the Cavalcade of Progress were of a standard far above what was expected by the average spectator and, while comparison is difficult to make, there can be little doubt but that the spectacular floral floats aroused the most enthusiasm among the thousands of onlookers. The Crown jewels, the Peace float and the magnificent Centennial Bride were almost breath-taking in their splendour and. the other floral floats of a beauty previously unsurpassed in the history of the city. There was, in fact, not one weak point in the whole cavalcade and the quality of the floats reflects the greatest credit on the designers and sponsors.

Ten thousand words would be insufficient to describe the floats in detail. While an inspection lasting hours was necessary to gain a full impression of all that was presented, a few minutes only were enough in which to appreciate the magnificence of the elaborate portrayal of the progress of the province. Two mounted police on white horses led the cavalcade and behind them came the combined Dunedin Highland and Dunedin Burns pipe bands. The historical section was the first presented. The arrival of the Maoris was depicted by a large canoe and nine warriors in war paint chanting traditional hakas. A group of surveyors in appropriate dress followed on foot and then came another float representing the arrival of the early settlers—the bewhiskered captain was at the wheel and with him were two of the adventurous and hardy, pioneers, a man and woman in the costume of 1848. A landing party rowed ashore on the next float while a wattle and daub house was presented on the float following. A genuine Cobb and Company coach drawn by a strong team and accompanied by a police escort on horseback portrayed the gold escort and mode of travel in 1861. Men in top hats and side-whiskers rode aloft; Women in period costume waved shyly from within. A further float was devoted to the three exhibitions held in Dunedin — the international exhibition in 1865, and the New Zealand and South Seas exhibitions of 1889 and 1925, . The floral float portraying the Crown jewels was magnificent. Flowers of various bright colours were intricately woven into the huge crown and orb and also formed a beautiful carpet on wMch the jewels rested. This float symbolised the visit to Dunedin in 1927 of King George VI, who was then Duke of York. The Salvation Army Band led the floats in the cultural section. The religion float, “The Light of the World,” represented the Universal Christ with a massive globe in the background. Children past and present had their places on the education float, while students representing the various faculties were on the university float. A mother and her baby, and nurses with infants in their care, lent interest to the Plunket float. „ The childhood float, “ The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe,” followed, complete with huge shoe, the old woman and all the children in the realm of popular bedtime stories. Seven marching teams of girls, the Dunedin Ladies’ Brass Band, and six more teams of marching girls were all well received by the spectators. A float representing summer sports and another devoted to winter sports completed the section. They included girl life-savers who refused to shiver in their brief bathing costumes and suntan. The sympathy of the crowd was theirs but the courage they showed in braving the elements was typical of that revealed by them in their life-saving activities. Their contribution to the summer sports float was well worth while. Among the sportsmen were Jack Hore, former Otago Rugby captain, with the Ranfurly Shield, and Lankford Smith, Otago cricket captain, with the Plunket Shield. Parade of Vehicles The Caversham Citizens' Band led the transport section. Included in the parade of vehicles were a pennyfarthing cycle with confident rider, an old-time dray and buggy. The motor cars included a 1902 Wolseley, a 1903 Oldsmobile, Cadillacs of 1904 and 1905, a 1907 International buggy, a 1908 Humber and a 1912 Ford. The Dunedin City Corporation Transport was represented by a decorated bus and a detachment of men from the Transport Department on foot. The industries section was headed by the West Harbour Band. The flax float showed the industry in the days of the Maori and as it is to-day. The agriculture float immediately attracted the attention of all coupon-conscious onlookers with its display of meat and butter. No article of farm produce was missing from this float. Its story was the agricultural development of the province from the time of tussock and bush.

Scientific and industrial research, as well as industries and commerce, were both represented by floats. An impressive float to complete this section was that symbolising plenitude in a province favoured by an abundance of everything needed for the complete enjoyment of living. The wealth of wholesome nutritious products was shown on the float. Public Services

“ Otago lacks nothing in service to her residents,” proclaimed the announcement float which headed the public services section.' ■ That - Otago lacks nothing in ingenuity was proved by the standard of the floats which followed. One of the most attractive was the railway exhibit, which from the front, appeared as a modern locomotive, with an added touch of realism given by puffs of smoke coming from the funnel. A large model of the wellknown “Josephine” was mounted on the rear of the float.

First in this section came a post office van drawing a symbolic presentation designed to illustrate the growth of modern methods in Post Office affairs. Fire brigades, old and new, followed, and a gas float demonstrated the means of producing this popular heating and cooking essential. A large Public Works Department entry illustrated phases of the department's activities such as hydro-electric schemes, bridge building, aerodromes, tunnelling and the like. Next in order came the railway float and one depicting the activities of the Hillside Workshops. The Harbour Board group was drawn by some of the board’s tractors and the model of the port, showing a ship at its berthage and carriers drawn up beside the wharf sheds was another outstanding exhibit. A streamlined float with three turbines mounted on the top symbolised Otago’s electricity potential, and the Broadcasting Service’s mobile recording unit was next in order. Two trampers stood under a tree, apparently deliberating about the route to be followed, on the next float, which was dedicated to Otago's scenic beauties. The National Airways float, streamlined and complete with attractive girl in flowing robes, brought up the rear of the section. The St. Kilda Band marched at the head. Armed Services Marching personnel, mounted units and mechanised equipment portrayed the parts played in the Great and World Wars in the armed services’ section. A model of the Achilles, with shields proclaiming the actions in which she took part, was the most important feature of the naval section, while a Spitfire model, in'flight over a painted landscape, indicated the part playe.d by Otago’s airmen. The army uniforms and equipment of the three wars added realism to the displayThe work of the St. John Ambulance and the Red Cross was not forgotten. Knights in “ armour ” riding ahead and a reproduction of the gate of St. John Hospice at Jerusalem, together with a modern ambulance group, gave a realistic touch to the fine St. John float, while Red Cross girls in uniform seated in a ship symbolised the carrying of the message of security and sanctuary all over the world- The rear of this section was brought up by a magnificent floral float symbolising the bells of peace and the dove of peace. Asters and marigolds were, the. principal blooms used, and the float was beautifully designed and prepared. The Regimental Band headed this section. Floral Section Surrounded by natural flora—ferns and greenery—with fauna in the shape of native birds peeping out here and there—the 1848 bridal party led the outstanding floral section. Next came the “ Centennial Bride ” and her party in what was one of the most brilliant conceptions in the- cavalcade. Beautifully frocked and in a floral colour scheme of soft mauve and blue, this float was wellnigh perfect in every detail. Otago’s characteristic thrift was symbolised in the next float, also tastefully decorated, and it was followed by the “ Centennial Queen ■’ in a blaze of • floral glory. Southland made an outstanding contribution in the next float, which was beautifully decorated.. A small girl on a floral swing added a novel touch. The section and the cavalcade ended with a masterly float in which . the city of. Dunedin paid its respects to the pioneers through the medium 'of flowers. Blue and gold were thd main colours, and even the coats of arms, and the number on. the float were cleverly picked out in flowers. The section was led by the Kaikorai Band The first vehicle in each section wr: an announcement float, effective ■ designed in the form of an open ben on each; side of a rostrum.

The newspaper float marked the progress of the newspapers in Dunedin in their presentation of “all the news from all the world.” Province of Plenty

The production of coal in Otago was featured in the mining float. Various aspects of the industry were shown, from the miner below the ground to the distributing bins and the railway wagons being filled. Two of Otago's best-clad sheep bleated proudly from the top of the float representing the wool industry in the province. Both production and manufacture were portrayed.