PATEA’S POPULAR BEACH

Taranaki Daily News, 30 December 1929, Page 6

PATEA’S POPULAR BEACH

NEW YEAR’S DAY GALA. Patea beach will bo the happy hunting ground of hundreds of pleasui eseekers on New Year’s Day, when a gala will be held. The Beach Improvement Society has of late been very active in its efforts to popularise Patea as a seaside resort. As a result of the voluntary efforts of members of the society and Other helpers a big pavilion has been erected, containing men’s and Women’s bathing sheds and a spacious shelter and verandahs. An excellent motor road has been formed to the beach, and bathing can bo indulged in in river and surf. A water service is laid on to the beach. An attempt will be made even to forestall the weather by having the gala on Thursday, January 2, should New Year's Day prove too wet. Of a programme of interesting events the .most attractive will be an open half-mile, handicap river swim, the winner of which will receive a beautiful tea and coffee service valued at £2O. Other events will be men’s 50 and 100 yards handicaps, ladies’ 50 yards handicap, boys’ and girls’ under sixteen 25 yards handicaps, and men’s and ladies’ dives,. There will also be a number of novelty, events. Free cars from Patea will, transport visitors to the beach, where .there will . be . free hot water, shooting gallery and other side-shows. SOUTH TARANAKI BOWLING. • BUTTON GAMES IN HAWERA. ’ In an exciting howling match at the Hawera Park Club’s green, the holders of the club’s buttons were defeated by a point. The game was in doubt to the last head, when the challengers were three points ahead. Details are: Grant, Thomas, Thomas, Goodwin 21 beat Roberts, Toy, Brett, Campbell 20. PLAY AT HAWERA CLUB. A stern struggle was staged at the Hawera Club’s green for the club’s buttons on Saturday, when the holders were successful in staving off Renwick’s rink by 0 points. Details are; Winks (sub.), R. Hicks, Adamson, Stone (s) 27 beat Champion, McDonald, Robertson, Renwick (s) 21. FATHER CHRISTMAS AT OEO. Father Christmas visited Oeo on Christmas Eve, when cheers and the blowing of trumpets heralded his arrival at 9 p.m. Forty children and their parents had assembled by invitation at the residence-of Mr. and Mrs. F. Tombleson, where a laden Christmas tree was placed in a room decorated with lanterns and streamers, no pains being spared by Mrs. Tombleson to make for the enjoyment of the children. Attired in traditional garb, Father Christmas proceeded to distribute his gifts to the awaiting children. Supper was provided by Mrs. Tombleson and the evening was spent in musical items, these being rendered by Mrs. D. Wineera and Messrs. A. Taylor and F. Tombleson. Appreciation of the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Tombleson in arranging the function . were expressed by Mr. Jackson, on behalf of those present, and before departing each child was presented with a small bag of sweets. “SPEAKEASY” AT HAWERA. “Donovan ’ll knock his block off,” is an expression familiar to Taranaki boxing enthusiasts, and when it was used at the Hawera Opera House on Saturday night many erstwhile ring patrons smiled, sat up and took notice. At the commencement of “Speakeasy” the audience is transported to the hurry and bustle of a newspaper office in New York, where frantic reporters arc feeding hungry operators with copy for the forthcoming world's championship contest between Tommy Donovan (challenger) and Paul Martin (holder). There is a whisper that the champion intends to retire after the contest and two reporters arc dispatched to secure the story. They return with no story and in the ensuing scene the editor raves and storms and threatens them with instant dismissal. Alice Woods, a struggling girl reporter, senses her great chance and seizes it. Escorted by a remarkable individual, one William, who seems to be nothing but an office convenience, she visits New York's underworld, and discovers Martin in a speakeasy, a low-down drinking parlour. Iler subsequent trials and interviews make a" thrilling story in which pathos, is relieved by a touch of whimsicality. The sights and noises of New York, a visit to the Great White Way, and scenes of the Mecca of all boxing enthusiasts, Madison Square Garden, combine to make the picture interesting from a scenic point of view. In addition to “Speakeasy,” a number of excellent “shorts” are. provided, including a playette by some prominent British actors. “Speakeasy” will be shown at the Hawera Opera House tonight and to-morrow night.