Extensive Programme Arranged.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20504, 4 January 1935, Page 8

Extensive Programme Arranged.

100 BOATS EXPECTED. Imagination, coupled with organisation on the part of the River Carnival Committee, will ensure that the aquatic display arranged for the entertainment of the Duke of Gloucester on Saturday, Januarv 19, is an unqualified success. There has been some doubt concerning the outcome of the carnival. Complete details were explained to a reporter this morning by the secretarv of the organising committee (Mr H. S. Feast). Some eighty to ninety business firms, athletic bodies, lodges, musical societies, and similar organisations have been invited to decorate boats, and up to the present there has been a fair response. There have also been numerous inquiries from private individuals concerning the method of securing boats. The committee has hired the complete fleet from the Antigua Street boatshed. Those invited to decorate boats will receive first choice, but should there be any boats over they will be allotted to applicants in order of the receipt of applications. It is thought that when the final fleet has been collected there will be more than 100 boats in the procession. The Duke of Gloucester will arrive at the Royal dais at 9.30. The dais will be erected on the city side of the river opposite the end of Peterborough Street. On his arrival he will be conveyed over the course in a decorated motor-boat and will then return to the dais. The procession will sail down the river and then return, illuminated by torchlight. Entertainment for Crowd*

B.ut arrangements will not be confined to the procession. There will be varied entertainment for the crowd. At 7.30 there will be rowing races and canoe races for boys. These have been arranged by the special sub-committee of officials of the various rowing clubs. Outboard motor clubs have also been asked to provide stunts, and there will be comic turns by “ darktown ” crews. The Canterbury Aero Club has promised to send two illuminated planes over the course from the Carlton Bridge to the Armagh Street bridge. Arrangements for increased illumination are in the hands of the M.E.D., and there will be festoon lighting round the Royal dais. Other decoration will be arranged by the Superintendent of Parks and Reserves. It is expected that the whole programme will be completed some three-quarters of an hour after the Duke arrives at the river-side. At the end of the official programme, there will be dancing on the lighted football ground at Hagley Park to music by the New Brighton Band. Mr Feast added that all the city bands had offered their services and they would probably all be called upon to play during the evening. Maori Hakas. Members of the Tuahiwi tribe will also participate in the carnival. Efforts are being made to provide them with suitable canoes and they will give demonstrations of hakas and poi dances on a platform on the Hagley Park side of the river opposite the Royal dais. Other novelty events to entertain the spectators before the arrival of the Duke will include a fireworks display, under the control of experienced men, and an illuminated display by the fire brigade. It has been recognised that it would be impossible to provide seating accommodation for all present, but the committee is considering provision of seats for early settlers.

Boats and canoes will be available the day before the carnival and the committee will welcome the decoration of privately-owned boats by their owners. “ The more private boats participating the better we will be pleased,” said Mr Feast. The committee has secured the co-operation of the Defence Department and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and the programme has been submitted to the Department of Internal Affairs and approved.