Smoke And Din Mark Students’ Procession

Press, Volume C, Issue 29504, 4 May 1961, Page 16

Smoke And Din Mark Students’ Procession

With their usual clamour end din, accompanied by clouds of evil-smelling smoke from a host of weird contraptions, suitably decorated, students of Canterbury University romped through the streets of the city yesterday morning and entertained thousands who lined the route for their procession. Space flights, the Government, Fidel Castro, South Africa, and the Lyttelton tunnel were all wellpunished themes, and Manapouri’s fate also came in for its share of undergraduate omment This year, the procession moved with more speed than usual, mainly because most of those responsible rode on varying forms of transport ranging from prams to motor-cycles, kero-sene-burning cars, and earth-movers. Students of Lincoln College appeared as marching girls with prim and shapely figures, but by the time they had reached the end of the procession route, their figures had somewhat deteriorated. Their high-knee stepping to the sober music of a lone piper was accompanied by coy glances and uninhibited advances at any male un. fortunate enough to get in their way. “S’lake’s thirst government coffers" portrayed the Minister of Finance, who punctuated his bows to all and sundry with poking his tongue out. One float claimed that New Zealand industry should not be protected. New Zealand manufactured television sets were offered at £2OO against the same Japanese articles for £64.

The liquor laws in New Zealand did not apply in the 'Lincoln Inn Beer Garden,” where the alcohol flowed free and the patrons more or less pleased themselves. Britannia in her chariot was shown straining at the tail of a reluctant rhinoceros representing South Africa. "Britannia rules the waves, but South Africa waives the rules.” it said. ' The Nelson “Failway," a rusting old hut representing the Town Hall and Lady Hillary followed by an intrepid band of mountaineers were all well received by spectators. Behind the mountaineers came an abominable snowman, stamping round his cage and devouring old bones. “Glum for Slums” was the slogan advertising homebuilding. Part of the roof of the house had “gone with the wind” and the walls were on the point of caving in. The seasoned qualities of a West Coast drinker were illustrated on a float for the ‘Coasters school for Soakers.” It advocated beer in school and milk in restaurants to build a strong and healthy civilisation. Protected by dozens of motor-cyclis’s some, carrying rifles. Dr. Castro valiantly waved his red flag at the tail-end of the procession. However, most of the crowd had dispersed by the time he arrived <Tn the scene, and no-one seemed particularly interested in his dramatic show of strength. The winning float in ttTe group entries was the “Abominable Snowman” entered by the Arts School. Second equal was the float entered by Rolleston House criticising South Africa, and the Lincoln Inn Beer Garden. First prize for individual entries was the Moa entered by J. Packer. Second was a hospital bed with rockets entered by B. Tapper.