BAY CARNIVAL OPENS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20611, 28 December 1936, Page 6

BAY CARNIVAL OPENS

BEACH THRONGED BY HOLIDAY-MAKERS CHILDREN LOOK ON With the Bay out of bounds for children owing to the necessary precautions by the Health Department against an outbreak of infantile paralysis, the Caroline Bay Association’s carnival, which is one of Tmaru’s greatest attractions during the holiday season, had one of the strangest opening on record on Saturday. Absent were the shrieks of childish laughter which do much to assist in the creation of a happy atmosphere, and absent also were many parents who look forward to the event as one of the most outstanding family entertainments of the year. Tire health authorities considered that while the carnival was in progress children would have to be excluded from the beach to prevent them from' collecting in groups, and so thoroughly did the patrolmen do their job that not one child under the age of 16 was to be seen on the Bay. Many there were, however, who looked on from Stafford Street. The post and rail fence was lined by hundreds of adults and children who watched the opening proceedings and listened to the concert party from a distance. The gathering at the top of the Bay seemed to defeat the- aims of the authorities to prevent youngsters from congregating in crowds.

In spite of the absence of the children, however, visitors were present in their hundreds and the carnival was launched in the presence of a happy throng. The sun smiled approvingly and the Bay was a great centre of attraction throughout the day.

Throughout the years the Caroline Bay Association, prompted by a true civic spirit, has been able as a result of its annual carnival, to provde funds to improve the beach and its surroundings, and the great popularity of Timaru as a holiday resort is in no small measure due to the activities of the Association which works in close co-operation with the Borough Council. In spite of the fine entertainment that the carnival provides it is a valuable source of revenue to the Association, and while this season the restrictions placed on the children will have their effect, Saturday’s start was a very promising one. Opening Ceremony A large gathering assembled in front of the new acoustic pavilion when the carnival was officially opened by the Mayor (Mr P. C. Vinnell). Tire president of the Caroline Bay Association (Mr A. S. Atiken) extended a welcome to visitors and expressed a hope that they would enjoy their holiday in Timaru. The Mayor said it was pleasing to find that Timaru was on its best behavour so far as the weather was concerned, and he hoped that the many visitors would spend such a happy and enjoyable time that they would again visit the town when they would be assured of a warm welcome. The carnival had for many years been a great attraction at holiday time. It was well organised and conducted by the association who did their utmost to provide a good time for all. The efforts of the Association to make the Bay more attractive had been greatly appreciated, and he hoped that the carnival would again this season meet with the success it undoubtedly deserved. The Association has been fortunate in securing the services of Jack Maybury’s “Pleasure Cruise” concert party whose opening presentation from the new pavilion proved very popular. Besides providing the artists with an attractive background the new structure demonstrated its effectiveness by carrying the items well beyond the range of the old bandstand, the instrumental, vocal and comedy numbers being clearly audible in spite of a fairly strong breeze. Saturday’s sessions by the party, which is made up by the following, set a high standard: Jack Maybury (instrumentalist and comedian), Miss Elaine Moody, Len Archer and Bill Downing (Moody Hawaiian trio), Miss Margery Austin (specialty and acrobatic dancer), Billy Mills (specialty dancer), Tony Richards (baritone), Miss Eileen Johnston (soprano), and Pat Barnard (lightning sketch artist, juggler and magician).

Bright Scene at Night With the children safely tucked between the sheets a larger number of adults made their way to the Bay at night, when the carnival area was thronged and good business was done at the stalls. With hundreds of multicoloured lights making a wonderful sight and the many holiday-makers entering into the spirit of the season with carefree abandon, a truly festive atmosphere was created and Caroline Bay was its old self. The stalls proved as attractive as ever and several new games were introduced. The helpers, many of whom each year give up their holidays to be of service to the Association, worked cheerfully under the able leadership of the president and the secretary (Mr H. L. Warsaw). A dance in the Bay Hail was well patronised at night, the first day of the carnival being brought to a close under very happy auspices.