WHAT, NO FIREWORKS!

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 174, 31 October 1941, Page 5

WHAT, NO FIREWORKS!

WARTIME GUY FAWKE'S NIGHT

FIFTH OF NOVEMBER PROSPECTS

Before war cast its shadow over New Zealand a popular annual event looked forward to at this time of the year by young folk (and lots of grown-ups too) was the celebration; of "Guy Fawkes Night" on the Fifth, of November..

However, there is a war on, with plenty of gun powder being exploded in earnest, on land and sea and: in the air. And as fof bon fireswhy the "scorched earth" policy lias turned a big slice of Europe into one big conflagration. No wonder then that enthusiasm is lacking for celebrating the Fifth of November with the 300 year old carnival of fire works. In any case there are no crackers and sky rockets to be bought in New Zealand this year being not imported, while, if by any chance, stocks were carried over from last year, Jhese may not be sold or used by order of the authorities. Nor are bonfires to be made, to" the great disappointment of many coastal towns, particularly Whakatane, .which have forgotten just what it is like to have the night hours brightened.

In the piping clays of peace Whakatane shopkeepers would have a great display of fireworks for weeks before November 5 to tempt the pennies of the children and the childish, but although the fifth is not far distant the shop windows are bare of those displays so prominent in past years. Many serious-minded folk will say it is a good thing that wartime measures have banished fireworks from the shops, and consequently saved

nervous grown-ups from the risk oF hearing craclcers exploded near them by children. However, the young people think it is a great pitythat Guy Fawkes night will not be what it was. Looking back to happier years it will to most people, however, occur that a night outstanding in the year, has departed leaving a notable gap in those festive dates which period the calendar. Wliakatane was ever to the fore in doing things properly an<l November 5 was no exception. Most residents will remembpr with pleasure the pyrotechnic display which used to be given at Mir A. Luke's farm at Awakeri and wil) recall the general disappointment felt when in 1939 he decided to cancel this popular annual event owing to the difficulties presented by petrol restrictions. However, they will also recall that other energetic citizens stepped into the breach and organised a larger celebration at Ohope, which attracted about 500 people, and with general jollification suitably and thorough-, ly marked the anniversary of misguided Guy Fawkes' attempt to blow up the British Parliament. With November of 1940 approaching the war clouds were darker, more serious-and vital things were occupying the minds of all and it perusal of our files finds the heading "A Tame Fifth of November." The only fireworks were "left overs'* from 1939 and children made the best of their meagre opportunity to maintain the commemoration. Bonfires were few and fireworks even more scarcc. This venr November 5 will be little, if any, different from any other day of the year—a custom three centuries old is delegated to the background in a world of turmoil and strife. May it be soon that gunpowder is vised, not in hate, but again for a good old fashioned November 5 celebration.