BEACH CARNIVAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 15714, 4 January 1922, Page 9

BEACH CARNIVAL.

SUCESSOFUL FUNCTION AT WATKANAE.

Probably to every individual who attended the Waikanae Beach Carnival last evening, as well as to the organisers, the immense crowd that thronged the streets and the beach proved a great surprise. Literally thousands of people turned out-,, to viow the proceedings, and such was the condition of the immediate environment of the Beach Society's tenure that only a small section of the crowd were able to take part in the actual festivities. • Tho affair commenced with a procession from the Post Office to. the beach, the routo being along Gladstone road air! down Grey street. The procession was a long one, and was marshalled by inc Deputy Mayor, Mr. H. IT. DeCosta, who was mounted upon a. substantial charger of equable temperament. The progress of the marshal was one of the features of the procession, and was everywhere greeted with delighted applause, acknowledged with smiling courtesy by its object. The profession passed the, whole of the way to the beach between tightlypacked crowds of people, all eager to see what- was to be seen. Applause followed tho advance of many of the- more elaborate tableaux and sets, and as ihe whole approached the beach, the density of the crowds increased and progress become most difficult. Eventually, however, the foreshore was reached, and the procession broke up, tho individuals comprising it darting away to take part in the fun provided in front of the bathing pavilion. Viewed as a function designed: to popularise the beach, nothing could have been more successful. It is doubtful if the society made as much as expected towards its future wprVs, but on the other hand, there is lit lie doubt but that the greatness of the throng and the closeness with which it packed around the main attractions, would have greatly interfered with the

running of any of the less substantial side-shows. The City Band, and a jazz band, headed by' Mr. E. Sharpies, provided music for the dancing, which vas staged on tho wooden platform below the esplanade. Tho platform did not prosudicient space for the number who wished to dance, and tin- concrete flooring of the esplanade, as well as the floor of the paddling pool, which of, course was empty for the were pressed into service as dance floors. Throughout the evening the dancing continued. an occasional interpolation being a bagpipe selection by pipers under the direction of Mr. Eweh Cameron. The "Beach Buzzers," a group, of young, men in the guise of coons, gave enter taipment to a section of the crowd, while various other parlies provided laughter, and general gaiety in other directions. The decorations, comprising ropes of electric lights of various colors, and Chinese lanterns, made a harmonious setting for the function, and a very largo number of people appeared in fancy costume, adding color to , the crowd. The society is to be congratulated on the degree : of popularity achieved by their gathering, and the assurance of public support given by' the large attendance. ■..'.-.'