WAVERLEY CELEBRATES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 306, 27 December 1937, Page 10

WAVERLEY CELEBRATES

CHRISTMAS EVE FESTIVITIES CHILDREN PARTICIPATE GALA COMMITTEE’S EFFORT (Special Reporter.) The township of Waverley on Christmas Eve presented a gay scene when special celebrations were held by the Gala Committee, in which the ’ townspeople participated in wholehearted lashion. Tne children were catered lor in no uncertain mannei, I and it was apparent that the juvenile I section of the town were enjoying the j festive season to the full. Features oi i the arrangements were a magic cave, a “train” which plied up and down : the main street, and a mock court, j It has been said that in a country town the people greet Christmas more effusively tnan their city cousins, and the spirit that prevailed in Waverley on Friday last nore out this contention. Even the toys on the large Christmas tree were gratis, and the fact that approximately 1000 gifts were distributed to the cnildren shows generous support from the shopowners. The tree was a ‘‘beauty/’ and greatly enthused the children as they surveyed its glittering branches laden with hundreds of articles of joy, from realistic pistols to dainty strings of "pearls.” The festivities opened at 2.30 p.m., when Father Christmas arrived at the station by special train, and was greeted by a crowd of considerable dimensions. The "Waverley Special” met the venerable gentleman and ■ conveyed him to the magic cave,; where he was installed with due cere- > mony. He was attended by the min- i strcl troup, who assisted in the cave, j Each child received a present and an . ice-cream, and at this stage consider- | able enthusiasm prevailed. During the afternoon the “train’ I hauled carriages up and down the street, laden to overflowing with chil-1 dren. Later in the day the popularity l ot this amusement increased, and the j demand for seats was at a premium,: the lustily sing’ng juveniles making! the welkin ring with their vocal! efforts. The “engine” of the “train” is worthy of special mention. Converted from a motor-car of popular make its appearance was realistic, being complete even to crank-arms and headlights. On the cab was the inscription "The Limited (very).” i In the evening a lorry paraded the streets with the Waverley minstrel troup on board entertaining the crowd. Tap items and singing served I to keep all amused. A mocK court, with all the ceremony and dignity of the genuine hall of justice, was held. "Constables” sought "wrong-doers from the crowd, and these were hauled before a stern judge and varying penalties inflicted, ranging from cautious to "substantial” lines. The whole-hearted manner in which the “defendants” entered into the spirit of the court contributed largely to its success. The court fully supported the proverb- that the wheels of the law turn slow, but they turn surely, and during a lull in proceedings, while another "defendant” was being found, the Crown prosecutor was transferred to the box and lined, after being charged by the judge. Proceed-j ings of the court were amplified by a! broadcasting outlit, with Mr Dick; Powell al the microphone. The wit- ■ ticisms of the announcer were a con-' slant source of amusement. The Ha-' wera Pipe Band provided a number ‘ of items and their assistance was ap-; predated. Concluding the day's cele- j brations, dancing and community j singing in the street occupied a section ol the crowd.

In conversation with a “Chronicle” I reporter, Mr E. C. Dallison, on behalf] of the retailers of Waverley, said that the good work that had been done by the Gala Committee was appreciated by the business section of 1 the community. He said that it was 1 desired to retain the interest of the! people in the township to keep them I from journeying to outside centres on { occasions such as this, and the committee had attained this end. Mr' Dallison said that the valuable co-oper-ation of a number of townspeople made apparent that, there was a civic interest in Waverley which was worthy of being retained and fostered.