THE VENETIAN NIGHT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 579, 8 October 1932, Page 18 (Supplement)

THE VENETIAN NIGHT.

The sky was soffly dark, and a few stars gleamed palely. The river flowed slowly on. Coloured lights, red and blue and white, were suspended over the bridge. Everywhere lights were blazing, and they were gaily reflected in the dark depths of the water. One or two boys clambered along the edge of the bridge and impatiently waited for the boats to come. People stirred restlessly, expectantly. Then there came the sound of drums and music. The procession passed along the road, but those on the riverbank could see only a few lights and gleaming fireengines. It was the people near the road who saw the procession. Then up through the air floated a bright pink mass of colour—the water display. Little drops of silvery water dropped through the air and lighted on the people’s hats. The colour changed to a paler pink—like soft misty gauze. From pink, to silver, to the palest lemon and green it changed, the silver falling like a cascade of diamonds. And still the people waited. A man sped up and down the river in a little speedboat. At last! From under the dark bridge came a boat, hung with little lights that gleamed like fairy candles. Then came No. 1 boat, softly draped with red, and gay with lights and paper flowers. On came the bright procession, magic lanterns, bright lights and gaily coloured balloons decorating them. There were coloured draperies and paper—green and orange, red and pink. Then came the sound of singing voices. On the boats sailed. There came a boat decorated as a sailing ship. With its glistening silver sails it looked like a fairy boat. Down the waters came the stirring sound of bagpipes playing an old Scottish air. A Maori canoe, carved and decked out in true Maori fashion, sailed along. Two Maori maidens and two warriors were in it. There came Spanish men and maidens, Indians and negroes, and all was merriment and beauty and laughter. Balloons and lanterns fluttered softly in the wind. There were men; and women and boys in the boats. As a comic boat passed, there came the sound of laughter. The merry antics of the crew caused much amusement, till at last all the boats had passed.