CARNIVAL NIGHT AT RIVERTON

Southland Times, Issue 23393, 28 December 1937, Page 4

CARNIVAL NIGHT AT RIVERTON

CELEBRATIONS OF CENTENARY CROWDS AT UNOFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY The unofficial opening of the Riverton centenary celebrations last evening gave the crowds that packed the township the outlet they wanted for the enthusiasm accumulated after a full day at the regatta and throughout the night thousands gave themselves wholeheartedly to a joyous celebration of Riverton’s hundredth birthday. The regatta did not finish till 9 p.m., but long before that time a spirit of carnival had captured the town. It was introduced by a lorry-load of entertainers in fancy dress which traversed the town and with cheerful music and clever clowning drew people from the streets to the recreation grounds for the unofficial opening ceremony. The Pied Piper did not have a bigger following, and his music could not have been half so enticing as the metallic music of the mandolins and guitars of the Colac Bay Serenades, who occupied a prominent place on the lorry. To the lilting refrains of Maori love songs and the plaintive melodies of Hill-Billy numbers, hundreds marched to the recreation grounds. The managing director of Centenary Celebrations Ltd., Mr F. L. Girvan, said that, because of the regatta, it had been decided to make the celebrations that evening more or less impromptu. A party of entertainers from Invercargill, allied with some prominent Riverton performers, would set the ball rolling and it was hoped that their example would help the crowd create a night of real amusement.

The master of ceremonies was Mr J. Gilchrist, who introduced the “new Mayor and councillors of Riverton.” These madcap “city fathers” then took control of proceedings and entertained the crowd for some time with a series of amusing burlesque and tumbling turns. The performers were Messrs R. Cameron, F. Cheyne, H. E. Philp and G. Millow. Appropriate music was supplied by the “Serenades,” Messrs D. Wixon and I. Belsham. A highlight of the entertainment was a sketch, “The shooting of William Tell” given by Messrs Cameron and Gilchrist After the entertainment the crowd returned to the streets where a number of sideshows and games of skill gave every opportunity for all to enjoy to the full a night of impromptu celebration. CELEBRATIONS AT MOERAKI (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, December 27. The centenary celebrations at Moeraki were officially opened today by the Postmaster-General (the Hon. F. Jones) in the presence of a big gathering. Mr Jones unveiled a memorial cairn which had been erected at the water’s edge to commemorate the landing of the first settlers. A varied programme was presented, the principal attractions being a regatta and other aquatic sports. In the evening the centenary banquet was held, followed by the lighting of the huge bonfires. The celebrations will be continued tomorrow.