TANEATUA CELEBRATES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 69, 6 January 1947, Page 5

TANEATUA CELEBRATES

XMAS AND NEW YEAR CARNIVAL AND FESTIVITIES

BRIGHT FANCY DRESS PARADE

Once again Taneatua was a scene of gaiety on both Xmas anti New Year’s Eves. Unfortunately there was a considerable amount of rain on the afternoon of Xmas Eve but the parade and judging of the children’s fancy costumes was done between showers and the rain had cleared away before the evening festivities had begun. The town was gaily bedecked with flags and the sound system dispensed bright music throughout the afternoon and evening.

The children’s fancy dress parade •offered considerable variety of costume there being present Chinese mandarins, Maori Chiefs and several sailors off His Majesty’s ships as well as flower girls and Old English ladies. There were also some very prettily decorated prams and tricycles. Each child received a prize and a free ice cream.

Santa Claus Arrives The highlight of the day was of

course the arrival of Santa Claus

at 7.30 p.m. Arrayed in traditional /attire and ringing a bell Santa arrived by lorry and was greeted with joyous acclamation by the large crowd of children assembled outside ■of the post office. After a few words he proceeded to give each child present (and some big children too) a bag of sweets. This done he left and .proceeded with the very heavy programme he had for the night. At 9 p.m. a group of carol singers treated the crowd to some very good •carol singing in the town and then proceeded by lorry to go round to the homes of those who through age or illness were not able to be out in

the street, and gave them the pleasure of hearing the good old traditional songs.

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve festivities commenced at 7.30 p.m. with the Wheel Barrow Derby from Moody’s gate to the Post Office. Last year’s runners were conspicuous by their absence and it was a new field which breasted the tape this year. The light-

weight Owen Glover won at a canter with Miss Pat Kempton as passenger, Jensen with Miss Jensen was second and the Hill Bros, ran

.a good third. There were "very good entries in •the slow bicycle race but before long it had resolved itself into a battle between last year’s winner .and runner-up G. Grey and A. Wardlaw with Wardlaw once again having to be content with second place. R. Goodhew was third.

In the meantime the bun-eating .contest had taken place (buns three weeks old we understand) with a

bottle of lemonade to follow to wash _4he bun down (most necessary). This was by D. Goodhew.

Surprising Talent An entertainment contest drew a

surprsing 'amount of talent of vari-

ous descriptions, children being well to the fore. The judges placed the entrants as follows: Singing, Janet Hill 1; Jim Bennett and Terry McGougan (duet) and Leon Ducker ,<equal'2; Erui Sisters (duet) 3. Special (Maori Song): Kawini Troupe; Special prize, Erui Sisters. Colourful Dresses

At' 9 p.m. the adults fancy dress parade was formed at the hotel corner and those participating marched to the hall accompanied by the very enthusiastic crowd and to the music of whistles, guitars, etc. and then paraded around the hall which was packed to the doors. The prizes were awarded as follows:

Best Set: The Gypsy Troupe, Mesdames Semmens, H. Hill, G. Peebles and Miss Peebles; Messrs. Alexander Oden, Brooks, Rixon and Symmans.

Best Original Set: ‘The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe” Mrs Go-

ing, Misses Going (3), Misses Thompson (2), Messrs. Going, Smith and Goodhew.

Special Prize: King Henry VIII and his Wives. Misses M. Doran, J. Newdick, L. and V. Print, Mr R. Ricketts.

Best Gent’s Costume: “Absent Minded Professor” Miss Shirley Lewis.

Best Ladies’ Costume: “Old Father Time” Mrs G. Bennett. Welcome to 1947

After judging had been completed dancing whiled the hours away until midnight when the old year was farewelled and the New Year welcomed with noise and revelry. From the hall parties went on to private homes and continued their festivities until the early hours. Much credit is due to those members of the Taneatua Goodwill Com-

mittee who devoted so much time

and energy towards making Taneone of the brightest spots in the

district for Xmas and New Year and so providing considerable pleasure for both jmung and old residents.