NEW YEAR’S EVE

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18524, 2 January 1932, Page 11

NEW YEAR’S EVE

REVELRY IN HAMILTON. CARNIVAL SPIRIT ABROAD. BIG INFLUX OF' VISITORS. If the revelry which always characterises Christmas Eve was somewhat lacking in Hamilton this year, the same could not bo said of the welcome accorded the New Year, for the celebrations in the town on the eve of 1932 wero in keeping with the jollity and exuberance of spirit that lias marked the occasion in former years. A large Influx of visitors and townspeople converted Victoria Street into a very busy thoroughfare early in tho evening, but at that hour the festive spirit had not influenced many. As tho time passed, small parties of youths, with faces 'decorated with fantastic masks, began to parade the town, but it was not until after tho business houses had closed their doors that the carnival spirit became really apparent. Although there was plenty of skylarking among the younger generation there was little or no larrikinism. As the hour of midnight approached, bringing with it the birth of a now year, motor horns, whistles, sirens, and oilier noisy instruments, vied with one another in welcoming tho newcomer, and bidding farewell to 1931. The striking of twelve occasioned a barrago of noise in various parts of tho town, but it was. not long before silence foil again, broken only occasionally by revellers, homeward bound.

Devotees of Terpsichore flocked to Ihe various halls, wliero special New Year dances were carried on until the early hours of the morning. A further large contingent of revellers was carried ■by tho river steamer Manuwai on a midnight excursion.

AT THE THEATRES. The New Year was ushered in very happily at the Civic Theatre. As midnight struck tho theatre was plunged into darkness, while on the slago in the glare of a spotlight, little “Miss 1932 " appeared, and greeted tlia large audience warmly. Many gay balloons wore then released. Miss .loan Laird, soprano, sang several solos very sweetly, and the audience joined in singing “ Auld Lang Syne ” and popular songs. The National Anthem brought the happy celebration lo a close. At tho Theatre Royal continuous programmes were shown from 7 p.m. until midnight. "Sidewalks of New York " was a gay prelude to the coming of the New Year.