THE PROCESSION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 243, 14 October 1931, Page 11

THE PROCESSION

TOWN’S HISTORY DEPICTED MANY INTERESTING ENTRIES Brought out of the seclusion that they have been in for so long, the old vehicles and coaches made a brave show in the procession. Decorated lorries, cars and cabs, with tho long lines of school children, Girl Guides and Brownies and led by the Patea Municipal Band, made an impressive parade which reached for over half a mile. Leaving the Town Hall shortly after two o’clock, the procession left for the Domain. When the band, which led the way, had entered the Domain gates, the tail of the procession was still passing the Town Hall, where the official party viewed it with interest and many amusing remarks. Close behind the band, which was under the baton of Mr Haddow as drum-major and Bandmaster Moore, followed representatives of the old military soldiers in bright scarlet and gold uniforms and spiked helmets. Attendant upon them were two “Tommies” in khaki complete with tin hats and bayonets.

These were followed by three sections of the Patea Volunteer Fire Brigade, representing 1881, 1910, and 1931. The oldest of these drew tho old ironwheeled engine with obsolete equipments. The 1910 large two-wheeled hose and line was drawn by two firemen, while the modern motor machine of the present day was a distinct contrast for efficiency. In quick succession followed an old bicycle “made for two”; the machinegun corps, representing the modern arm of the service; and in contrast again, native warriors in full war dress, accompanied by Maori maidens with their pois. Lodges and sports bodies came next, among these being the rifle club, surf club, complete with reel and line; Foresters, with their green ribbons; and Druids in their flowing white robes depicting the early formation of this lodge in early Britain; the croquet club, with miniature croquet green and mallets; a complete ring with the attendants and seconds and boxers for the Boxing Association; Ike Women’s Institute with their lorry decorated in the emblematic lily; and the Plunket Society’s lorrv with nurses, babies and stork complete. Among all these the old coach and two-wheeler cab and buggy Mood prominently, and with their occupants called for many admiring and amusing remarks. Two equistriennos also had their place—one on a bay hack, representing tho “travelling parson,’’ Mr Wainwright in shovel hat. spectacles, gaiters and black coat, fitting the part well, ami Miss B. Gibson on the well-known “Gray Dawn,” who represented the old hunting days. A scry

humorous note was struck with tho inclusion of an old Ford car “of 1881,” which with its occupants created many a laugh. To the organisers of this procession, Messrs W. H. Rook, C. Gardiner, and W. T. Armstrong, many congratulations are due for the energetic and able manner in which they carried out their duties. On arrival at the Domain, speeches were made by the Mayor (Mr F. Ramsbottom), Mr H. G. Dickie, M.P., Hon. J. A. Young, and Mr Tupito. These were interspersed 'with hakas and poi dances by the natives, whose splendid exhibition was greatly admired. The hakas and poi dances depicted the arrival of Turi’s canoe and the making of his home on the shores of the Patea river, and, although the words were not understandable to the majority of the spectator, the actions and expressions of the Maoris made their meaning very clear. The various heads of the several sections of the procession were: Old Militia, Mr F. Locker; New Military Corps, Lieutenant L. Honey field; Fire Brigade, Captain Fitzwater; Maori, Tupito and Taiatoa; Surf Club, Mr R. Adams; Foresters, Mr R. W. Hamerten; Druids, Air 8. Hird; Croquet, Mrs Masters; Boxing, Mr Gordon; Women’s Institute. Mrs Ramsbottom; Plunket Society, Mrs Roberts; Schools, Mr Armstrong and Mrs Derrett; Girl Guifls. Lieutenants Sheild, Findlay, Gibbs, and Buniand; Brownies, Misses Tong and Kiihfuss; and Golf Club, Mr I. Honeyfield. _____