BEACH CARNIVAL

Evening Star, Issue 19793, 17 February 1928, Page 2

BEACH CARNIVAL

HUGE CROWD AT ST. CLAIR SUCCESSFUL OPENING IN IDEAL WEATHER SUBSTANTIAL RETURN PROMISED. Not since the days of the Exhibition has King Carnival reigned so supreme in Dunedin as he did last night on the occasion of the carnival held by the St. Clair Improvement Society to raise funds for the provision of more dressing accommodation for bathers and for other facilities about the beach. The expectations of the most optimistic member of‘the society must have been greatly exceeded, for the crowd which wound its way to St. Clair numbered about 14,000, and there was a scene of gaiety and fun which has never before been witnessed on the waterfront at Dunedin. The promoters of the carnival expected to raise £SOO, but if the success of the undertaking is as great to-night and to-morrow afternoon and night as it was last night that amount should be more than doubled. By motor, on foot, and by tram the crowd commenced to arrive about 7 o’clock, and by 8 o'clock there was an immense happy throng on the esplanade, which had been closed to vehicular traffic. Hundreds of motors were parked in nearby streets. The tram traffic was particularly heavy, many extra cars having to be put on to cope with it. People, thousands of them, of all ages, lads and lasses largely in fancy dress or with paper bats, moved about in a happy laughing crowd, eager to get the most out of life on a glorious night. The atmosphere was still and warm—-ideal conditions for the carnival.

After the opening ceremony, which was a picturesque affair with a happy touch of burlesque, the crowd found its way to the amusement park on the street side of the pavilion, to the’marquees in which drinks, ices, cakes, flowers, and other articles were sold, or listened to the baud of the Ist Battalion of the Otago Regiment. Brisk business was done at ail the stalls, the ladies in charge having a busy time and quickly disposing of their wares. Reminiscent of the Exhibition was the amusement park, where crowds gathered round tho roll-downs, the throwdowns, dart games, and other devices. Till a late hour it was a struggle to get near any of them. The takings must have amounted to a very respectable sum.

Gaily beflagged and festooned with colored electric lights, the esplanade presented a striking spectacle as the soft dusk fell in the cool of the evening. The greater part of the crowd was content to parade up and down the esplanade laughing and talking, watching the bathers in the water in the early part of the evening, and later to stand and gaze skywards as rockets soared into the air. The fireworks display, which took place from the top of the hill at the entrance to the second beach, was an attractive feature. Hundreds of people also sat on the sand between the lapping of the cool waves and the brilliant spectacle on the other side. From a distance the effect of the colored lighting and decorations and the hum of the voices of the happy crowd was a striking one.

THE OPENING CEREMONY. The carnival was officially opened from tho Band Rotunda shortly after 8 o’clock by the deputy-mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas), who first of all apologised for to® absence of the mayor (Mi' W, B. Taverner), unavoidably absent on public business in Wellington, It was a great pleasure, said Mr Douglas, to see euch a throng of Dunedin citizens present. He congratulated the St. Clair Improvement Society upon its splendid effort, and particularly congratulated Mr Fenwick (president) and his committee on the work they had done. A telegram had been received from Mr T. K. Sid.cy, M.P., congratulating the society and the district on the enterprise, and stating that anything that made for the advancement of St. Clair made for the advancement of Dunedin. Mr Sidey. who regretted his absence owing to his having to go to Christchurch on university business, wished the carnival every success. Mr Douglas went on to say that Mr Sidey’s daylight saving measure was greatly appreciated, particularly by surf bathers and the many others who wont to the beach in the evening. The City Council and ho could saiely say tiro St. Kilda Council, too, greatly appreciated the efforts being made to improve their splendid beach. As chairman of the Tramways Committee he was particularly grateful, When he left town thousands were still waiting to come out on the cars. He would like to inform them that tho administrator of White Island would arrive shortly. His Excellency wished to associate himself with them, and to share in the celebrations. (Loud applause.) Amid a flare of trumpets and other noises tho Administrator of White Island, his wife, and retinue arrived bv motor from the direction of the Second Beach, and were escorted to the rotunda. There the deputy-mayor extended a welcome, and expressed pleasure that different parks of the farflung British Empire were brought into such close touch that night. presented His Excellency and Her Excellency with tho freedom of the beach, including the lupins._ (Laughter.) A bouquet of lupins was presented to Her Excellency, and one of His Excellency’s suite in turn presented the deputy-mayor with a regalia, of honor from White Island in the form of a necklet of seaweed. Mr Douglas was assured that if ho visited the spot there would bo many “spots” awaiting him. As the Administrator of White Island, who bore a- strong resemblance _to a well-known stockbroker with a military carriage, stepped forward to address the crowd and was greeted with tumultuous applause and the singing of “For he’s a jolly pood fellow.” His Excellency acknowledged the compliments, and said : “Ladies and gentlemen, citizens of the far-flung city of St. Clair, and members of the Improvement Society,— It gives me the utmost pleasure to stand'here this bright and breezy evening to carry out the important duty you have so graciously asked me to perform. Living as I do on yonder snow-capped island, I have long envied you this magnificent beach and the magnificent girls who bathe on it. There’s been such a demand for telescopes that I have had to pass an ordinance forbidding my inhabitants to wander on this side of the island durian bathing hours. I trust, however, with the available funds to erect accommodation for bathers, that this’carnival will provide nothing of this sort will be necessary next summer. How, then, throw yourselves heart and soul into this. Let yourselves go. Father’s joined the Mustard Club, and there’ll be a hot time in tho old town tonight.” (Loud applause.) FINANCIAL RESULT. The secretary of the carnival (Mr F. H. Lampen) stated this morning that the amount taken last night was £450 13s. Nearly 6,000 badges were sold at a shilling each, the takings from this source reaching nearly £3OO. Among the badges sold each night are several with lucky numbers, the holders of which will receive prizes. The holders of badges (2,768 red and 3,216 white) sold last night will receive prizes if ‘Hmy call at the treasurer’s office in the pavilion. The color of the badges to be sold to-night will be blue. A fireworks display Kill be given again tonight.