THOUSANDS ON RIVERBANK

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18586, 21 December 1934, Page 8

THOUSANDS ON RIVERBANK

FLOOLIGHT PROGRAMME DANCING AND FROLICS FAIRYLAND OF LIGHTS Thousands of people crowded the riverbank on Bead’s quay in the vicinity of the Trafalgar Rotunda last night, the sloping lawns at that point making a natural grandstand. Hundreds more lined the Kaiti bridge. It was a colorful scene. A fairy tree of lights made a remarkable display between the rotunda and a platform built for the occasion. Electric lights of all colors festooned the tree, and after darkness fell, many people who visited the other side of the river had a wonderful view of a fairy tree reflection in the still water.

The programme during the evening consisted of national dancing, items arranged by the Savage Club and band music by the W.E.C.M.R, Band. Attractive entertainment was ‘provided. The dancing section of the programme, Which was arranged by Mr. D, McLennan, commenced well before dark, and many fine numbers were rendered in the full light of day. As the light failed, floodlights were used. One of the most effective items during the evening was the torchlight Reel o’ Tulloch, which was performed in Gisborne for the first time, while it is also believed that this was the first performance in New Zealand. Twelve dancers were engaged, and each carried a lighted torch. The effect was very pleasing. DANCING AND OTHER PERFORMERS Much amusement was gained from the Savage Club’s section of the. entertainment. It commenced w-ith community singing led by Mr. Rees Allan, followed by a quartet comprising Messrs. Rees and Athol Allan, V. Caulton, and W. Kohn. Other numbers were given by the following: Mr. Sloan, song; Messrs. A. Zacharian, V. Harre and W. • Sinclair, sailor song; Mr. D. Turbitt, club swinging; Mr. Stan Vincent, elocutionary item; Messrs. V. Harre and W. Sinclair, song. Those engaged m the dancing numbers were as follow:

Kightsonie Reel. —Edith Livingstone, Joan McKinley, Margaret Jptiascn, Nancy Hargreaves,■Bobbie 'Scott, Betty Jenkins, Mary Hurnc, and Annette Shields.

Highland Fling.—Margaret Johascn, Kathleen Fitzgerald, Edith Livingston, Leslie Ryan, May O’Rourke, and Annette Shields. Sean Truibhais.—Annette Shields, Margaret JoJmsen, Tui Menzies, Kathleen Fitzgerald, Nancy Hargreaves, Edith Livingston, Betty Jenkins, and May O’Rourke. Hornpipe.-—Thclnm Dunn, Bobbie Scott, Thelma Sim,'Sheila Munro, and .Joan McKinley. Reel o’Tullock—Nancy Hargreaves, Mary Hurne, Annette Shields, and May O ’Rourke.

Irish Jig.—Margaret Jonasen, Sheila Munro, Leslie Rvan, Thelma Sim, Thelma Dunn, Bobbie Scott, and Joan McKinley. Torchlight Reel o’Tulloch.—Bobbie Scott, Nancy Hargreaves, Joan McKinley, Margaret Jonasen, Shicla Munro, Marjorie Fletcher, Tui Menzies, Thelma Sim, Betty Jenkins, Annette Shields, Mary Hurne and Thelma Dunn.

The 'piper for all the dancing items was Mr George Purvis.

School children began to arrive in their allotted positions by 3.30 p.m. They had selected positions in an enclosure immediately in front of the dais. The military units, headed by the W.E.C.M.R. band, entered the ground at 3,40 p.m.,- follcnv.ed by 32 1 South African veterans, a squad of returned soldiers, Girl Guides, and Boy Scouts. They marched to the inner enclosure, aiid took up positions to the right oi the dais and alongside the school children. Among the uecorations seen in the South African veterans’ party were a medal for the Riel rebellion in Canada in 1886 and for Indian frontier service in 1595. The Mounted Rifles were next to reach the reserve, and they took up positions alongside the path by which the Duke would enter the ground. The Salvation Army Band and the Military Band were also in attendance, and played during the period of waiting. Members of the party to take their places on (he dais commenced to arrive at 4 .o’clock, and hy a few minutes after that time most of them were seated. The assemblage awaited the arrival of the Duke.