PATRIOTIC GALA

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXI, Issue 8838, 30 October 1942, Page 2

PATRIOTIC GALA

LABOUR DAY ATTRACTION . MANY BRAVE WEATHER AN INTERESTING PROGRAMME Despite unfavourable weather conditions, the Patriotic Gala on the Recreation Ground on Labour Day proved a success, and as a result the patriotic funds will benefit by a substantial amount. Had the weather been good a record attendance would probably have rewarded the efforts of the committee. At about 10.30 o’clock the reserve was a. hive of industry. Near the band rotunda a party of Maoris was busy preparing a haangi and over 200 lb. of meat and 100 lb. of potatoes were prepared and steamed over hot stones. On the cycle-track another body of workers was busy rolling the ground and putting in pegs; and still another party Was erecting tents for the baby-show and refreshments. Very soon afterwards a number of ladies under Mrs F. Ray arrived and began making sandwiches. Although several showers of rain fell the workers .kept to their jobs and from noon the refreshment tent was besieged by. hungry adults And children. Tea and home-made' soft drinks with sandwiches were served until not a crumb remained. From noon till 1 p.m., Mr J. R. Slevin and party interested the young fry in races, after which the older children were catered for. Afternoon’s Events

The whole afternoon between showers was taken up with cycle and running races, interspersed by a very fine demonstration of the firing of trench mortars by the Home Guard. Two teams of four men each, under Sgt. A. Roberts, gave a fine exhibition and Sgt. Roberts Explained the proceedure and uses of the - mortar, after which four practice bombs were fired. The St. John Ambulance Brigade, under Mrs Rosborough and Mr P. Leach, gave an interesting demonstration of first-aid to the injured. The haangi was opened at about 2.30 o’clock and all the food was sold and eaten from small flax baskets. It was rather amusing to see Maori and pakeha alike eating with their fingers and enjoying it, too. Cycle Races and Baby Show

The main cycle races were keenly contested and resulted as follows: Half-mile: Mooney 1, Gordon 2, Warrender 3. One mile: Mooney 1, Lee 2, Gordon 3. Two miles: Hewson 1, Mooney 2, Gordon 3. The baby show would no doubt have been much larger had the weather been fine. Mrs A. F. Lowrie was the organiser, while Misses Crawford and Stewart acted as judges. The results were as follow:—Up to six months: Baby Simpson 1, Baby Riley 2, Baby Thomas 3. Six months to one year: Baby Mathers and Baby Robertson tied for first place, with Baby Spriggs second._ One year to two years: Baby Cummings 1, Baby Tyson 2, Baby Manhire 3.