WANGANUI CARNIVAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 306, 28 December 1936, Page 6

WANGANUI CARNIVAL

SUCCESSFUL OPENING REGATTA, DANCE, FAIR OF FRIVOLITY. THE SURF ACTIVITY CONTINUES TO-DAY. The Wanganui Christinas and New Year Carnival, sponsored by lhe Tourist and Development League, can be said to have opened auspiciously. Weather conditions were favourable, the opening regatta was well staged, the carnival dance was thronged and there was fun and frivolity on Saturday night at the Carnival Fair, which Mr. W. J. Rogers declared open on Cook's Gardens. Yesterday, Castlecliff Beach accommodated one of the largest crowds in its history. The president of the league (Mr. W. J. Gibson Hughes) introducing UYMayor and the Hon. W. Lee Martin at the opening of the fair, had something to say of the the purposes of the carnival. "It is meant to provide joy ana happiness in abundance, not only lor a few but for everybody, citizens and visitors alike,’’ he said. “It is meant to provide a stimulus to well-founded optimism, and to encourage united effort to speed up the progress and prosperity of Wanganui. The carnival is also for the purpose of advertising the attractions and advantages of the city throughout the Dominion. The carnival movement has been brought to fruition through the organising ability of the chairman of the Carnival Committee (Dr. Adams), coupled with the energy and ability of the secretary (Mr. C. T. Young), the assistant organiser (Mr. E. W. F. Gohns) and the loyal support and cooperation of a most enthusiastic and representative committee.” The Hon. W. Lee Marlin commended Wanganui for its enterprise and the Mayor of the City (Mr. W. J Rogers) officially declared the fair open. Yesterday’s Activity. Castlecliff, despite the fact I hat in two particular spots there was a marked undertow, was on its best behaviour yesterday lor the-surf demonstrations and beauty parade. Tram passenger traltic must have reached a peak, swelled as it was with the patronage from three special trains from Taranaki. The day was warm, but there was an absence ol glare about the sun. Castlecliff and Patea Clubs competed for the surf competitions with the following results:— Four Man Event. Castlecliff <6B points) | Patea C (651) g Castlecliff B (64) j 3 Six Man Event. Patea (.176) . | Castlecliff (163) . .. March Past. Castlecliff (42> j Patea (40) 2 Officials responsible for yesterday's surf demonstrations were: Referee, Mr. F. Wilkie; judges, Messrs, t' Anderson and Brown (Opunake); marshal and starter, K. Congreve; announcer, R. Harrison; timekeepers, D. Lilburne, G. and V. Broadhead; assistant marshal and secretary, W. Broadhead. Parade of Beauties. Some 14 entries were received from the girls at the beach for the beauty competition. Expert canvassing and eloquent appeals through the loud speaker prevailed upon “beautiful ladies in blue,’’ or was it “red,” or "white," or “green?” to appear in the central enclosure. The first eight to get there remained until the end, but the other six. perhaps willing to give in without a light, failed to get beyond the barrier. The result, declared by popular vote, was as under:— Miss Mavis Sherer (Auckland) .... I Miss Doreen O'Grady (Wanganui) 2 All the rest were highly commended, Dr. Adams thanking them for breaking the ice so tar as Wanganui is concerned x-ith regard to beauty. The doctor admitted that it was a blow to know that an Auckland girl had won, but he predicted that when next a beauty parade was arranged Wanganui girls would be to the fore to make sure of getting their own back. Both placed girls are to be presented with a prize at the carnival fair to-night. To-day’s Programme. Carnival Fair in Cook's Gardens. Cricket between Wanganui and Victoria University. Christmas Bowling tourney (continued). Golf tourney at Belmont. Dancing display on Cook's Gardens. To-morrow. Grand Carnival procession (afternoon and evening). Combined bands' display on Cook's Gardens. Wednesday. Gladioli Show. Open air wrestling on Cook’s Gardens at night (Walker v. Elliot).