CROWD IN GOOD MOOD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 1, 2 January 1943, Page 4

CROWD IN GOOD MOOD

WARM WELCOME TO NEW YEAR HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN CITY Hundreds of people assembled opposite the Chief Post Office in Ridgway Street on Thursday night to farewell the old year and give a warm welcome to 1943. It was the fourth wartime New Year’s Eve in Wanganui, but was the most jovial for many years, the turn of the tide in favour of the United Nations obviously being reflected in the spirit of the people. In contrast with New Year’s Eve, 1941, which was a night of heavy rain, the weather was perfect; warm and calm after a hot summer’s day. Throughout the afternoon and nignt Victoria Avenue was crowded with people in holiday mood. Retailers report brisk business and provision shops were hard pressed to cope with the demands of people making victualling arrangements for a long week-end.

Following its customs of many years the Wanganui Highland Pipe Band, under Drum-Major D. A. Almond, paraded in Victoria Avenue at night and played stirring Scottish selections. The progress of the band up and down the main street was followed with keen interest. Earlier in the day the Queen Alexandra’s Own Band also played in Victoria Avenue. Trams from all points of the city were crowded on inward trips from seven o’clock in the evening. Many people remained in Victoria Avenue after the shops closed, and tramway officials report that inward traffic was very heavy from 10.30 p.m. till shortly before midnight, indicating that a large number of people came into the city specially for the New Year celebrations.

As midnight approached the crowd outside the Chief Post Office gathered in strength till the area from the Rutland Hotel corner to the intersection of St. Hill and Ridgway Streets was a dense mass of people. Many wore paper hats, others had “rattlers’ and ’ other noise-producing devices. Even confetti and rice were in evidence, though supplies of the latter were extremely scarce. In the meantime the Highland Pipe Band continued to enliven proceedings and as the minutes crept on all eyes were on the small clock fixed above the Post Office posting boxes. Through force of habit many people listened for the familiar chimes of tne town clock at Cook’s Gardens, forgetting that since last New Year's Eve the bells have been removed to supplement the city’s E.P.S. alarm system.

A minute before midnight a hush came over the crowd and as the hands of the clock reached the hour a sustained roar, gradually swelling in volume, rose from the crowd. Nobody appeared to regret the passing of 1942 anti for several minutes the din of cheering and shouting continued. Taking the initiative, the Highland Pipe Band started off with strains of “Auld Lang Syne.” without which no New Year’s Eve is complete. Within a few minutes the crowd was singing lustily. Strangers linked arms with strangers and the New Year was given a hearty reception. Trams for all suburbs, crowded with passengers, left the Post Office corner from 12.13 a.m. onward, but till long after one o’clock groups of people, mainly soldiers and young civilians, were still making merry in the city's main street.