OUTSTANDING SUCCESS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19827, 3 January 1939, Page 13

OUTSTANDING SUCCESS

R.S.A. BEACH CARNIVAL NEW YEAR'S EVE FIXTURE ATTENDANCE OP 5000 "The measure of public support given the carnival far exceeded the committee's expectations," declared Mr. Peter Gordon, chairman of the social committee of the Gisborne Returned Soldiers' Association, in speaking of the New Year's Eve celebrations at the Waikanae Beach. "In fact," he added, "1 believe that the attendance well exceeded that at the last Waikanae carnival, on Guy r"awkes' Night. The gate takings showed that 3000 adults paid for admission, while in addition there were others, including the beach campers and a host of children, which would bring the aggregate up to 5000." Early in the evening there was a constant stream of traffic along Grey street to the beach and hundreds of cars were accommodated in the parking areas. The crowd was provided with a variety of attractions at the fair arranged near the promenade between the bathing pavilions and the tennis courts. There were a number of sideshows and refreshment stalls, which did good business. On the central stand a concert party provided entertainment and later there wore wrestling bouts and a bathing belle competition. Well patronised ballroom dancing was held on the tennis eourts, with Mr. R. Waugh as M.C. Band Selections The programme opened with selections by the W.E.C.M.R. Band, under the baton of Lieut. A. Wood. A display of fireworks followed and in these celebrations the large Homeboat at anchor in the roadstead, the m.s. Waimarama, participated, sending uo a Hare of rockets.

National dancing proved popular. Elva Mahoney danced the Irish jig and sailors' hornpipe, while Tamson Kerr did the Highland Fling and sword dance. The concert party headed by Mr. J. Lyle presented a variety of items, including popular songs, humorous numbers, a violin duo, song and patter sketch and comedy songs. Mr. E. Sharpies provided the accompaniments at the piano. Lively entertainment was provided by the three wrestling bouts, the first of which was won by K. Buscke, who secured a fall from G. Geddes in the second round. The next match was between M. Smale and Blackie Read, Smale winning by a fall in the second round. In the last bout George Bell and Phil O'Rourke drew. Mr. T. Smale was the referee.

Four competitors paraded in the bathing belle competition, and the awards were: Miss Dawn Green, 1; Miss Joyce McKnight, 2; Mrs. G. Geddes, 3; "Miss 1900" (Miss Burton), 4.

Midnight Celebrations

Although the crowd dwindled somewhat late in the evening, a large number of spectators remained to see the final celebrations of ringing the old year out and the new year in. "Father Time" was caught at 12 o'clock and, amidst a flare of rockets and loud cheers, a welcome was extended to "Miss 1939" (Miss Jean Sangwell), who made a happy speech and wished all a happy new year. On behalf of the Returned Soldiers' Association Mr. Gordon extended to the gathering the compliments of the season and thanked the public for its generous support in making the car-. nival one of the most outstanding fixtures yet held at the beach. Amongst those who assisted at the carnival were members of the Gisborne Thirty Thousand Club and the Legion of Frontiersmen. The chairman of the committee, Mr. Gordon, explained that the committee had not attempted anything in the nature of Saturday night's function before and the assistance of the various helpers was invaluable. He specially mentioned the work of the Frontiersmen in controlling the traffic, and said a pleasing feature of the carnival had been the orderliness of the crowd and the fine co-operation the traffic officials had received from motorists.