SPECTACULAR FIRE WORKS DISPLAY ON COOK’S GARDENS

Wanganui Chronicle, 6 November 1950, Page 4

SPECTACULAR FIRE WORKS DISPLAY ON COOK’S GARDENS

With perfect weather prevailing, a crowd of more than 2000 attended the monster fireworks display in Cook’s Gardens on Saturday night. Mr. John Hopkins, assisted by Mr. T. Dunn, presented a spectacular fireworks exhibition which included giant rockets, Catherine wheels, cascades, waterfalls, and roman candles. The commentator, Mr. Ivan Brown, had the children cheering each rocket as it soared aloft and burst into a cascading waterfall of dilour. At the end of the display a huge “Old Man Guy" was traditionally burnt at the stake. During the evening the junior Queen Alexandra Band played selections and the "Nokotomata" Ladies’ Band made a first appearance on Cook’s Gardens with a crazy quickstep. Two marathon runners arrived amid the fun and received an ovation. Both were presented with a “silver" cup each. Earlier in the night the Queen Alexandra Band headed a procession of 100 guys from the Drill Hall to Cook’s Gardens. The judges, Messrs. E. Lawrence and R. Smith, were set a difficult task in making the awards in the best guy competition. The first prize of £2 2s went to Margaret Humphrey and the second, £1 Is. went to Graham Hartley. Ernest Thomas and lan Wakelin were equal third. Six consolation prizes went to Basil Anderson, Richard Dunkerton, Garry Hayward, Ray Woolier, Denis and Graham Dustin.

Old people from the Jubilee Home were the guests of the Queen Alexandra Band at. the fireworks display. Side-show Alley claimed much attention during the evening. The proceeds go to the uniform fund of the Queen Alexandra Band. Under the auspices of the Castlecliff Sea Scouts a monster fireworks display and bonfire was held at Castlecliff and attracted a large attendance.