Victory Celebrations

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23280, 16 August 1945, Page 4

Victory Celebrations

Spontaneity Rules Supreme

Timaru In Hilarious Mood

A FEW minutes after Mr Attlee’s broadcast from the 8.8. C. at 11 o’clock yesterday morning, announcing the surrender of Japan, sirens in Timaru began to sound the joyful tidings that the official announcement of the end of World War II had been made. Motor-horns took up the refrain and shop, office and factory doors were slammed with enthusiasm and the revelry commenced. Stafford Street soon became a swirling mass of excited humanity, youth predominating, cheering and singing being accompanied by every device with which it was possible to make a noise.

The crowds increased in number as the influx commenced from the outlying portions of the town, and the fun became fast and furious with the arrival of the town bands, whose selections were augmented wholeheartedly, if somewhat unmusically, by “instruments” whose chief virtue appeared to be their noise-producing capacity.

The revelry continued unabated throughout the afternoon and well into the evening. The advent of the Timaru Boys’ High School Band, attired in motley array, and followed by hundreds of their school-fellows added to the excitement, and the boys found plenty of fun in endeavouring to encircle isolated groups of pupils from the Girls’ High School, who, with squeals of delight, endeavoured to break through the rings. During the afternoon a number of motorists who should have known better endeavoured to drive through Stafford Street. Both cars and trucks were besieged by a swarming mass of small boys who clambered all over them and hung on grimly, rocking the springs of the smaller cars while the agitated owners endeavoured to get them to desist. Even the Railway omnibuses received the same treatment, and the drivers were obliged to proceed at a snail’s pace, while small boys clambered on at every point where they could find a foothold. Even Girls' High School pupils, forgetting the admonition of their teachers to behave like young ladies, were among the hilarious throng who clambered on to passing cars. No official functions were held so spontaneity ruled supreme. Up and down Stafford Street, with linked arms, bands of youths and girls spent the afternoon, varying their procedure by forming long crocodiles. Selections by the Timaru Municipal Band and the Timaru Highland Pipe Band added to the festivity, and after band performances several instrumentalists each had their coterie of supporters who sang the airs they played. Rattles, whistles, hooters and other unmusical devices added to the din, but one enthusiast held sway. Mounted on the steel trolley which usually performs the humbler role of carrying the rubbish tins, there was fixed an electric battery complete with motor horn. At the pressing of a button a piercing blast resulted, which easily outvied its competitors in din producing. Braving the erratic movements of the crowds and expert one-wheel cyclist aroused admiration as he threaded his precarious way among the people. A much appreciated gesture yesterday afternoon was the playing of selections by the Timaru Municipal Band both in the grounds of the Nurses’ Home and in one of the wards at the Timaru Public Hospital. Both patients and staff greatly enjoyed the programme and the kindliness which had inspired it.

Revelry By Night The spirit of revelry was maintained in the evening, when crowds of merrimakers thronged Stafford Street in a manner reminiscent of New Year’s Eve. In the centre of the town the Timaru Municipal Band played selections, to a host of listeners. In Timaru, it has been the custom for the public to turn out in large numbers to listen to music, but it is difficult to break through the traditional reserve to get the public to dance, but this was

achieved last night. For a period the crowd listened stoically to the various numbers but when the band broke into "Waltzing Matilda,” it was too much and the public, almost as if on a signal, began dancing and singing, the merriment continuing till a late hour. In the vicinity of the Bank of New Zealand dance band records were played over a loud speaker. Although the “floor” was inclined to be on a slope, the dancers appeared not to notice, and a happy crowd followed the music till after 10 p.m. At The Schools Owing to the wet conditions underfoot the original proposal to hold a children’s gala at Caroline Bay was abandoned, so the pupils held their functions at their respective schools. Impromtu concerts with community singing were held, the headmasters making a brief reference to the significance of the occasion. Paper hats and the waving of flags were a feature, and even the teachers laid aside their scholastic dignity for the nonce and entered into the spirit of the occasion. To the younger children the highlight of the occasion was the distribution of a packet containing biscuits and an apple, followed by a bottle of cordial.

During the afternoon the Mayor (Mr A. E. S. Hanan) and Mrs Hanan, who were accompanied by Mr C. E. Thomson (chairman) and Mrs R. R. McAlister, of the Victory Celebration Committee, visited the schools, where Mr Hanan made a brief address, but several of the schools had dispersed before the official party arrived. At the Timaru Girls’ High School, headed by an al fresco hand, the pupils marched round the block yesterday morning to the delight of the residents in that area. The Boys’ High School pupils, headed by the band, marched to town, the whole school taking part, and their appearance added considerably to the festivity. The pupils of Timaru West School also held an effective march round the streets adjacent to the school, a gesture which both pupils and residents greatly enjoved. Yesterday being a Church feast day the four Catholic schools were closed, but pupils of the Marist Brothers joined in the children’s parade in the afternoon. The schools will join the victory procession to-day, boarders at the Sacred Heart Girls’ College remaining at school for this purpose. They will leave for the term holidays tomorrow. Church Services As arranged by the Timaru Ministers’ Association short thanksgiving services W’ere held in all churches last night when there were large congregations. Some of the preachers spoke briefly on the theme of thankfulness for peace but the services were informal, as the main services are to be held on Sunday. At the Church of the Sacred Heart Solemn Benediction was celebrated. Te Deum was sung by the choir.