GALA DAY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 21, 28 April 1947, Page 5

GALA DAY

AMBULANCE FUNDS LARGE SUM RAISED There was a very good attendance at the Gala Day at the Whakatane Domain on Saturday. The day was in aid of St. John Ambulance funds and judging by the size of the crowd and the way in which sideshows were supported the day proved a tremendous success. The weather was perfect with an almost cloudless sky and bright sunshine.

Full Support

Full support was accorded by various other bodies and the Maori section of the community. Most of those taking part in items were dressed in all manner of clothes and equipment. The Whakatane Pipe Band was the first to appear led by the Pipe Major swinging a straw broom, one of Cutlers’ best, as the announcer put it. His colleagues were dressed in 'football jerseys, old dresses and an assortment of clothing to gladden the heart of any sec-ond-hand dealer. ■- Children’s Events The first events of the day were races for 'children. There were a large number of entrants and prizes were awarded. Unfortunately no records were kept. I / ■ Marching Teams The girls ’teams taking part in the marching were: Poroporo, Whakatane, Pafoa and Rangataua. The Pipe Band supplied the music for marching and the event was won by Paioa. Whakatane was second, Poroporo third and Rangataua fourth. Gymnastic Display A display of gymnastics by a group of three men and three women of Mr Dixon’s gymnasium group proved very popular. Maori children gave a series- of items during the day. Football" Besides bogus football two games were played in earnest. Both were thoroughly enjoyed although it was evident that the .players were still a little rusty. In the first game poroporo defeated P.W.D. by 14 points to nil. The women’s teams caused.a lot of amusement. Jean Howat’s team defeated Dorothy Stewart’s after a very exciting game.

Fire Brigade

A demonstration by the Whakatane Fire Brigade also raised many laughs. The engine broke down (?) about a hundred yards from the scene of the fire, a small hut erected for the purpose. The breakdown gave several firemen who were pursuing the engine on bicycles and foot a chance to catch it up. The firemen were clad in pyjamas and odds and ends of their usual equipment. After an inspection of the motor had been made the vehicle was pushed into position and operations began in earnest. Hoses were got out and after a short period of preparation a notice was displayed to the effect that a union meeting to discuss the paying of danger money would be held. This was done and the fire was bravely attacked by hordes of valiant firemen. So enthusiastic were the firefighters that they fell over each other in their eagerness. The hoses ran wild and after the fire had burned down these were "brought into play. After the display a battle royal with the hoses was staged. Burlesque Hockey Several games of burlesque hockey in which burly “ladies” in outlandish dresses hit an outsize •in balls around the field took place. United Defeats Taneatua In the second serious Rugby match United defeated Taneatua 18—0 after a really good game. Fire Brigade v Ambulance A burlesque football match between the St. John Ambulance and the Fire Brigade also took place. Pyjamas and other clothing suffered during the fast and furious play.

There were several casualties real and sham. The. fact that the Ambulance men were playing cut down time taken in treating these. Many new methods of treatment were seen... The Fire Brigade won, 5—3. Receipts As a result of the day a very elastic estimate of the sum collected is somewhere roufid £l5O. Thanks The St. John Ambulance Association wishes to express its thanks to all those who participated in and supported. The day which proved a tremendous success; the sports bodies who made the items possible, all those who helped on stalls

etc., the general public without ■ whose support the success of the day would not have been possible and the Maori people who provided items, a hangi and produce stalls. Dance In , the evening a very successful dance was staged in the Caledonian. A Hall. There was a large- crowd in attendance. Mr Marshall gave a ventriloquist act and received sound applause. A competition waltz was won by Miss Fisher and partner. Mr A. Carling took the opportunity to thank all the bodies who had helped make the day such a success.

An excellent programme of dances., had been arranged by the Indoor Basketball Association and an ex-* cellent supper was served.