BRIGHTON GALA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16939, 13 January 1923, Page 12

BRIGHTON GALA.

CROWDS AT SEASIDEBy some happy chance the sun beamed along the sea front to-day and attracted to New Brighton for the annual gala a huge crowd from the oity. For years this fixture has been rather ill-fated, the big majority of enterprises of this kind being upset by unfavourable weather. One stepped oil' the car this afternoon into a inass of busy' humanity swarming among a gaily beflagged lot of side shows, ice-cream and fruit stalls, and a beachful of bathers and loungers on the sand. As far as eye could see up the beach there were huge crowds of strollers in summery garb. The committee had made no halfhearted attempt to entertain the public, and incidentally secure funds for beach improvement ami fully equipping the surf and life saving pavilion. In declaring tbet gala open the Mayor ,(Mr J. Gamble), speaking from the New Brighton Surf Bathing and Life Saving Club’s pavilion balcony, said that a hearty welcome should be given to the Chatham Islands children, who were visiting Christchurch on a holiday. They were not often favoured with a unique visit of that kind, and he was sure that all would give them a good time. Concerning; the objects of the gala, he would be >ery proud if he * was able to say at the conclusion that sufficient money had been raised to clear the debt off the surf clubs pavilion, and that rhere was a little over to do something in the direction of erecting more stone work along the foreshore. Those two things were the main objectives of the gala. He appealed to all to give every support possible. The president of tho Surf Club (Mr F. Kibblewhite) thanked the Mayor for his generosity towards the Surf Club in allowing ther* so much of the proceeds of the gala. The members had raised the funds for the building by individual efforts, but if it had not been for the efforts of the Mayor their endeavours • would not have been so successful. Mr Kibblewhite also extended a very hearty welcome to the Chatham Islands children. Three cheers were then given for the Mayor, three fot' the visitors from the Islands, and another for the president of the Surf Club. Mr J. Thompson, who is in charge of the visiting school children, thanked the Mayor and councillors of Brighton for their welcome, and thanked the public for their kind reception. “ Talking of the crowd here to-day; said Mr Thompson. “ our largest town is the Port of Waltangi. ’t has about four houses and two hotels. (Ironical cheers.) There is a woolshed and about two pigstyes and perhaps a few fowlyards. (Laughter.) So just imagine the crowds as we see them to-day! The children's view of the whole proceedings is one of amazement and wonderment all the time. You can imagine their ordinary life on a practically barren island, and then for them to come right amongst modern civilisation as we see it to-day. Naturally they are bewildered with all they see; and I oan honestly assure you that they arc in no hurry to go home again." On Mr Thompson's call the children gave three cheers for New Brighton. FIRE BRIGADE COMPETITION. One-man coupling event (14 entries)—J. A. Nuttall (New Brighton), scr, 33sec, 1; T. Vincent. sseo, 35sec. 2; W. Nuttall, 3sec, CHILDREN’S RACES. 50Yds, boys under seven—B. Lawn 1. 75 Yds, boy a (Brighton only)— C. Seaward and P. Bellamy equal 1. 75Yds, girls, seven to ten years—Mable Pring. Skipping (girls under ten)—Elsie Hay. Married ladies’ walking race—Mrs Hay. 50Yds, boys under seven—Allan Bailey 50yds, girls under seven Gwitha Pring. Boys’ long jump (open)—M. Rogerson, 12ft. Girls' long jump (open)—Elsie Hav. 10ft Girls’ 75yds race( seven to ten years)—Mable Pring. Boys’ 75yds (open)— ,). Nelligan and J. Cloughlin equal V IOOYds handicap—J. Nelligan and G. Townsend equal 1. Girls' 100yds handicap Ngaire Brewer 1. E. Lawn and N. Wedd equal 2. Skipping, girls (ten to fourteen years) M. Sedglcy 1, Thelma Seeker 2. (The winner skipped for seven minutes). Boys' high jump—C. Hartley, 4ft 2in, 3. AFTER THE GALA Come to hear the MEW BRIGHTON BAND PLEASANT POINT, SUNDAY AFTERNOON, 3 p.m.