SUCCESSFUL GALA DAY

Chronicle (Levin), 9 April 1947, Page 3

SUCCESSFUL GALA DAY

OUTSTANDING PROCESSION OF VEHICLES What-is considered to be one Of the biggest days in the history of the town took place in Shannon on Easter Saturday, ;when the combined carnival coihmittees presented a gala day and Easter parade. Although early 1 in • the week it looked as if the committee woula be faCed with the'p'ostponement of the function owing to" the unfavourable weather ' conditions, Easter Saturday dawned- fine and when the programme - Was -due to commence, the sun was shining brightly. The'day's programme opened at 1.30 p.m. with a parade through the town, and long before the maSrching girls and decorated vehicles commenced to form up, spectators were ; arriving in large numbers. When the procession left the Albion Hotel corner, the main streets were lined with a happy crowd. Leading the pro'cession were the pipes and drums of the Horowhenua Pipe Band. The band was followed by seven teams of marching girls, made up of Judd's. and Herbert's, of Pahiatua, Caledonian and K.B.H., of Levin, and Broadway, Premier and the junior girls, of Shannon. Then. came the fun of the show headed by "the cause of it all" — the Model T fire engine. This was followed by decorated trucks representing the farmers', Maori and town queens. Then Tollowed the private efforts. Much Gime had been spent in decoruving the vehicles and some of the results were excellent. The highlight of the procession was the farmers' effort in bringing to life "Dad and Mum," of "Snake Gully," complete with horse and buggy. A truck with olf-set wheels caused many a laugh as it bounced back and forth along the streets as the procession made 'its way to the domain. 'T • " At the domain" the 'gatekeepers had a busy time . copi .ig with the large crowd wishing t'o gaia admission after the procession had entered the grourids, and when -,he sports programme commenced some 900 people were at the domain. After the procession had made a circuit of the oyal, the marching teams and pipe ' ba!nd formed up facing the paviliion, while tne Maori party presented a aaxa cf welcome. Throughout the afternoon marcnLng displays and sports events kept the public entertgined and the various stalls conducted excellent' business. r So successful was the effort that it is expected that over £100 will be divided beween the three committeCs. Prior to the . commencement of the programme, the parents' committee of the local marching qrganisation entertained the/. visiting Pahiatua teams.- at lu'nch, and after ' the ' prdgr'amme the pipe band and visiting girls were their guests at afternoon tea. At a suitable juncture, Mr. T. S. Downes, on behalf of the combined committee, extended sincere thanks to the band and the girls for their wonderful co-operation in making the day such a success. The Pahiatua girls were later the guests of the three carnival queens at a dance held i'n. the Druids' Hall and prior to their leaving for home, Mr. C. Tremewan, deputy-superin-tendent of the lire brigade, expressed great pleasure at having the girls at Shannon and extended thanks for their valuable help In raising such a magnificent sum for the fire brigade. The eombined committee desire to express thanks to all who assisted with the gala day, and to the public for heir wonderful support.