GALA WEEK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 8

GALA WEEK

Firefighters To Hold Conference WANGANUI’S COMMUNITY EFFORT HOTELKEEPERS GUARANTEE 50 GUINEAS “The response of the business community to the appeal for guarantees for the forthcoming Fire Brigades’ conference and demonstration, has been most encouraging, and the committee organising the week’s activities cannot but appreciate such a response," said Mr. A. E. Halligan, chairman of the Fire Brigades’ Demonstration Committee, when interviewed by the "Chronicle" yesterday. Mr. Halligan stated that among the large number of business men and firms approached not a single refusal had been experienced when an appeal was made for signatures on the list of guarantors. In one instance lhe amount guaranteed was a very substantial one, this being a sum of 50 guineas, guaranteed bv the Wanganui Licensed Victuallers’ Association. In the majority of cases the amount sought was a small one, most of the guarantees being for sums of two or three guineas, and it is felt that, with the support of the general public in the gala week planned. the guarantors will not be called on to any extent. The a’enues open to the committee so far as revenue is concerned consist of the art union which is being run in conjunction with the demonstration and a proposed gala night, or. Cook's Gardens. This will probably take the form of an athletic and cycling carnival, together with a display by the fire brigades and a “Darktown ’ brigade, with some attractive novelties yet. to be planned. The week’s activities will commence on Sunday, March 5. when a church parade will be hold in the morning. The visiting fire brigadesmen will probably journey to Castlecliff in the afternoon tn see the West Coast surf championships. The annual conference is to be held o.n Monday and Tuesday, March 6 and 7. and it will be followed by a monster up-rivpr picnic on the Wednesday. Competitive events will be staged on Cook's Gardens on the following days. The evenings will be occupied with various entertainments, which are now receiving the attention of the committee. An invitation has been issued to various sporting organisations to assist in the entertainment of the visitors, of whom upwards of 600 are expected. “Altogether it will be a gala week long to be remembered, and with the co-operation of the general public the week should be one of which Wanganui can well be proud,” said Mr. Halligan, who is heing assisted by Mr. G. Nelson as general secretary of the organisation.