CHRISTCHURCH EN FETE

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1935, Page 7

CHRISTCHURCH EN FETE

duke eagerly awaited

many FESTIVITIES PREPARED.

AVON A MINIATURE VENICE.

FINAL ROUND OF CEREMONIES.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Christchurch, Last Night.

Christchurch is en fete for the concluding stages of the Duke of Gloucester’s New ■ Zealand tour. The city _is gay with bunting and carnival spirit was already in evidence to-night when exceptionally large crowds thronged the streets and inspected the various decorative schemes. Light showers fell at intervals and the weather forecast for the ensuing 24 hours is not particularly hopeful. A feature of proceedings will be a riverside carnival and fireworks and fire brigade displays. Numerous novel attractions have been arranged, one of them being an illuminated procession of decorated rivercraft which will temporarily convert the Avon into a miniature Venice.

The Duke, himself, will traverse the carnival course in a motor launch. He will also be flown over several times by aeroplanes. In addition to rowing and speed-boat races, there will be Maori canoe races and Maori hakas and poj dances. The North Hagley Park football ground will be used for dancing from 10.30 to midnight. The private visit of the Duke to Longbeach concludes in the morning, when His Highness resumes his final round of official ceremonies, beginning with the Ashburton reception. He devoted this morning to riding round the Grigg estate but on account of rain remained indoors in the afternoon. There was a private dance at the Grigg homestead to-night. Ashburton’s demonstration promises to provide a fitting prelude to the Christchurch welcome. The township will have the distinction of being the only place in New Zealand that has supplied a mounted escort for the Prince. The Duke will attend the Addington trots in the afternoon and will start the mile and a-half race from the front of the grandstand. From 4.30 p.pi. onwards he will be playing polo.