PLEASANT POINT GALA IS GREAT SUCCESS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18044, 3 January 1927, Page 6

PLEASANT POINT GALA IS GREAT SUCCESS.

“I hope that the women of the community will band themselves together for the purpose of giving a boost to the movement to provide more playgrounds, and. even more important still, to provide the necessary appliances. .South New Brighton is doing its part, and doing it well," said Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., in declaring the South Brighton Gaia open at Pleasant Point on Saturday. Prior to the official opening. Mr T* Robins, chairman of the. Gala Committee, thanked the public for their attendance and wished all a happy and prosperous New Year. He said that it was the committee's aim to make Pleasant Point the most popular resort in Canterbury. The Mayor of New Brighton, Mr J. Gamble, also wished those present the compliments of the season. He said that he had been afraid that he would have had to he present without, the assistance of Mr Sullivan who had been unfortunately unwell. All were pleased to see him about again, and the speaker fie It sure that he would get a hearty reception. They also had with them the Mayor of St Kilda. Mr R. W. Hall, who had come to New Brighton to sec what, it had in the nature of. seaside attractions. Mr Gamble urged those present to support, the committee, particularly in view of the fact that all the money received was spent on the improvement of the place. Mr Sullivan thankwd the Mayor for the kindly sentiments expressed. He added that lie had received many kindnesses from the Mayor and he appreciated them. Galas served a. useful purpose in the provision of playgrounds for children. There was a notable movement throughout the world at the present time in five direction of providing playgrounds for children, and in this respect New Zealand was not doing as much as it might be. 1-le then declared the gala open. Mr R. W. Hall. Mayor of Rt Kilda, after expressing thanks for the welcome and for the opportunity of speaking, said that he had had his eyes opened as never before at the way in which a. gala, could he run for the benefit. of tin- community. It. was one of the greatest pleasure he had experienced to be there and to see the happy faces around him. He hoped to he able to carry out what he had learned at. South New Brighton on the beach at St Kilda. The attendance at the gala was very large. From early morning until night, there was an ever-changing crowd. ed, and thousands of people were to be seen on the beach, under the trees and in the children's playground.

helpers, were dotted under the trees, there being over a dozen different attractions to the public to make them disgorge the silver in their pockets. During the afternoon, music was provided by the Brighton Band, while in the evening a dance was held under tire trees, the gala being continued until a late hour. The day was warm and fine, an ideal day for the function. A few spots of rain fell late in the afternoon, but not sufficient to cause any inconvenience to the visitors. Besides races on .land for the children, a yacht race was held, while off tire jetty an exhibition of hydroplane stunting was given by the speed-boat Miss Canterbury, with Mr Len Poore at the wheel. The speed of the boat, which attained thirty miles an hour, astounded many of the onlookers. An exhibition of aquaplaning was also given with Messrs Ken Cameron and H. s. Beaumont taking turns on the board. Later in the afternoon. Die crowd on the jetty - eceived a r. < „ hen a young girl was be V- art of riding on a bo. -i bind .. , .:i--b. She fell off a flozm ii..if,- . high sp.—d before she mastered the control of (lie board. Following arc the results of the sports Boys’ Racp S . —Seven to ten—Jack Hay 1, L. Purse 2. Ten to twelve—J. Bradshaw 1, J. Collins 2. Sack raceMilligan 1. M- Briggs 2. 75yds W. Seymour 1. I-’. Denson 2. Potato race—6. Denson 1, T*. Consedine 2. Under seven—M. Divilliers 1, D. Whelan 2. Twelve to fifteen—W. Good 1. A. James 2. Under twelve—A. Asquith 1, K. l?.isMaxwe’ll 1. L Wyatt 2 l" 1 Second consolation race, under seven-—B. Toner l, W. Bates 2. Girls’ Races.—Seven m teri —2-2. Stephenson 1. B. DonaJdson 2. Kgg and spoon race—L. Smith J. A. Moms 2. Ten to twelve—A. Evans 1. T. Noilson 2. Potato race—R. Stephenson 1, J. Maxwell 2. 75yds?, twelve to fourteen— M. Pring 1. N. Williams 2. Under seven —D. Moss J. J. Thompson 2. Twelve to fifteen—J. Smith I. M. Rhind 2. Under twelve —R. Rowland 1, « \ .T. Stephenson 1, V. Bring 2. Second consolation race—D. Richdale J, f. M’ Dowell 2. Nine boats started in the yacht race which resulted: —Waurau (G. Balfour) 2. Dottrel 1 (O. Allan) 2. Fidget (R. Morrison) 3. Secret (R. Gormack) 4. The committee, during the past four rears, has raised over £7OO by galas, and oil Saturday a further £290 was raised, out of which expenses have to be met. All the money will be spent on improving the Pleasant Point Domain,and all the labour at the gala was provided by voluntary helpers. A great deal of the success of the gala was due to the splendid work of Mr K. .Johnston (organiser). Mr A. W. Scan* (secretary) and Mrs J. Osborn (assistant secretary), whose unremitting: labour was evident in (he splendid organisation of the function.