SEASIDE CARNIVAL

Evening Star, Issue 20059, 27 December 1928, Page 19

SEASIDE CARNIVAL

BANDSMEN'S EFFORTS AT ST. CLAIR The holiday spin I was abroad yesterday at the carnival commenced at St. Clair by the St. Kilda and the Trahiwa.vs Bands in an effort to raise funds to take them to the forthcoming baikl contest at Wanganui. Both in thd afternoon and in the evening there were good attendances, and those in charge of the various stalls and amusements worked energetically to gain the support of the crowd. The official opening of the carnival took place in the afternoon, the mayor (Hon. W. B. Taverner) commending ‘ the object of the show, and asking the suppqrji of the public. The Hon. Mr Taverner, who expressed his great pleasure at being present, said he hoped the St. Hilda and Tramways Bands would be successful in their appeal to the public. Those bands had united to raise funds to enable them to attend the bands' contest at Wanganui next year, and for that purpose £I,OOO was the objective. There was no rivalry between the bands, the St. Hilda Band being in A grade and the 'Tramways Band, a newer combination, in the B grade. There were numerous- attractions _ and competitions for all at the carnival, which was worthy of public support. He trusted that when the bunds wont to Wanganui they would travel not by motor cars, but by train. (Laughter and applause.) He was glad to bo present to officially declare the carnival open, not only in his capacity as mayor of the city, but also in In's position as Minister of Hallways, this being the lirst occasion he had spoken in public in Dunedin since he became a member of the Cabinet. (Applause). He wished tlio carnival every success, and trusted its promoters would fully realise their expectations. (Applause.) Three cheers were given for the new Minister of Railways, who smilingly acknowledged the compliment. Mr J. W. Dove, who represented St. Hilda, endorsed the mayor’s remarks. In the evening the carnival made a picturesque scene, hundreds of coloured electric bulbs sending their soft radiance into the still atmosphere and transforming tho esplanade and surroundings into a veritable fairyland. The crowd was nut too large to cause any congestion, and people wandered about to enjoy the fun of fho fair. In a modest way, “Chocolate Alloy,” Llio popular rendezvous of ihe Dunedin Exhibition, was recalled by a number of “ throw downs,” all of which appeared to be doing good business. At other stalls ice creams and soft drinks wero sold, and there "wore many other attractive features, including a tent, whore a pottery wheel, claimed to he the only one of its kind in New Zealand, was to be seen in operation. Several competitions were held during the afternoon, including one for the best fancy dress for girls up to sixteen years of age, and the “ bootblacking competition of the world,” the latter creating a groat_ deal of amusement. The carnival will be continued each afternoon and evening this week. Those in charge would be wise to provide a musical programme of some kind; that was a feature which the carnival lacked yesterday.