SEASIDE GALA AT FITZROY

Taranaki Daily News, 3 January 1930, Page 14

SEASIDE GALA AT FITZROY

EXCELLENT DAY ENJOYED

LARGE ATTENDANCE OF PUBLIC.

PARK SOCIETY BENEFITS WELL.

A little more certainty in the weather conditions and as sure a promise of a fine day as Taranaki can ever give led large crowds of picnickers and bathers to the annual gala of the Fitzroy Seaside Park Society at the Fitzroy beach, New Plymouth, yesterday. The early morning indications of a good day were fulfilled, and not a cloud dappled the sky throughout the afternoon. The gala was the most successful yet held by the society. It is estimated there were nearly 4000 people present. The gate takings amounted to about £26 and the total receipts were nearly £lOO.

Holiday-makers came by car and train from many parts of Taranaki, and early. in the day a large number of motor-cars were conveniently drawn up in the park. Tents and temporary shelters were erected in the many comfortable nooks in the sandhills and soon beach and lupins were dotted with parties of picnickers. There were ample attractions. The surfing was. particularly good throughout the day, bathers soon finding that the- breakers were more powerful than they appeared to be from the shore. ’The tennis courts were crowded, and for those who were unable either to swim or play tennis the New Plymouth Pipe Band provided music, Scottish dancing competitions attracted a good deal of attention. Races for the children, a treasure hunt, ice cream and sweet and produce stalls, and side-shows provided everything else that was needed to interest the crowd.

The dancing competitions, for /which medals donated, by Messrs. H. Wagstaff, G. Pullen and C. White were awarded, resulted:—

Seauntriubhas.—Jean McAsey, 93 points, 1; Peggy Prince, 90 points, 2. There were five entries.

Sword dance. —Jean McAsey, 01 points, 1; Peggy Denman, 88 points, 2. There were four entries.

Highland fling.—Jean McAsey, 03 points, 1; Peggy Denman, 89 points, 2. There w’cre five entries.

The judge was Miss May Weir, New Plymouth. The executive members of the society responsible for the gala arrangements were: President, Mr. 11. ’ S. Wagstaff; vice-president, Mr. W. N. .Stephenson; secretary, Mr. L. Richards; committee, Mrs. L. Chivers, Messrs. B. M. Wilson, G. Pullen, C. Granger and J. Gillespie. The stall-holders and other helpers were: Afternoon tea, Mesdames L. Chivers, H. S. Wagstaff, J. Buttimore, C. I. Vickers, F.. Loesch, Misses Chivers, and Giddy (2); produce, Mrs. Giddy; sweets, Mesdames L. Richards, J. Gillespie, Grayling, Misses Johnson, J. Pullen and E. Grover; darts, Mr, G. Prestidge; skittles, Mr. B. Baker; box ball, Messrs. G. South and-J. Rielly; Zane Grey, Messrs. Garder and 11. J. Johnson; coconut shy, Messrs. Mclsaac and Hamilton; sheep-guessing, Mr. H. Bellringer; pillow-fighting, Mr. G. Pullen; children’s races, Messrs. J. K. Hawkins, H. Peterson and Grayling; tennis courts, Mr. J. Gillespie; car parking, Mr. Ji Buttimore; gate-keepers, Messrs. C. White and B. M. Wilson.