STRANGE BUT TRUE

Evening Star, Issue 23697, 3 October 1940, Page 2

STRANGE BUT TRUE

YE OLDE ENGLISHE FAYRE GOMES BACK AGAIN QUEEN CARNIVAL TRIUMPH PROMISED CITY TO TURN INTO JUTLAND Strange, but true, that to thoroughly enjoy ourselves we have to recapture the simple faiths and beliefs of our fore** fathers. Possibly that is why the Otago Queen Carnival Committee proposes staging “Ye Oldo Euglishe Fayre on October 19. Rarely in the history of the Dominion —only once in Dunedin s has such an event taken place, and that was way back in April, 1882, when our fathers and the men who pioneered and built this city for us, staged just such a fayre. The fayre of 1940, however, should be infinitely more enthralling than the one of nearly 60 years ago, inasmuch as we of to-day have to assist us all the benefits which a modern scientific world has achieved. Carnival spirit will assuredly prevail throughout the day of Saturday, October 19, and any who fail to capture the true spirit of revelry as seen at an old English fair are indeed very dull. This “ Olde Englishe Fayre ” should prove to bo the crowning achievement in Otago’s drive for the £IOO,OOO aimed at for the rehabilitation of soldiers upon their return from the wars. It should prove to be the big draw card which will induce the elusive coins from the pockets of otherwise cannily-inclincd inhabitants. high revelry. The “ fayre ” is the inspiration of Mr Arthur Macdonald, under whoso guidance it will bo arranged. However, every section of the community is represented on the various committees and sub-committees urgently called into being to attend to the thousand and one details requiring careful attention. Assuredly the fayre will be a grand community effort, and, willy^niby, JVlr and Mrs Public must enter into the swirl and gaiety which will be unleashed on the great day. Of this there can ho no shadow or doubt, “no shadow of doubt' whatever,” for the best part of the_ business and shopping centre of the city is to. be roped off for the great doings of the dav. First and foremost it was necessary to got the consent of the City Fathers for the use of the main thoroughfare, and to halt the peregrinations of the electric trams and other mobile units of modern traffic to make room for the hi<r show. This has been done the mavor and councillors entering wholeheartedly into the scheme. Anyone who lias entered an English country town and enjoyed to the full the fiin of tho fair will be able to visualise to some extent what Dunedin’s big effort will be like on October 19 From midway in Princes street to well down George street and right through the Octagon high carnival will be held. Bunting will he a necessary ■hut minor part of the show. Underneath it there will be stalls dined down tho centre of the roadway), 120 of them in number, all part of the one big scheme to help the people to forget everything except the one main object —to'spend money and yet more money for tho sake of the bovs when they come homo. You’ll he able to buy and eat on the spot anything from a pottle of ovsters to a penn’orth of peanuts, broiled, roasted, nr raw. You’ll ho able to indulge in all sorts of games of skill and thus test your vein beliefs .that you “just can do it.”

TELL YOUR FORTUNE, MISTER?

You’ll be able to drown your sorrows in—the warmth of bright smiles • of gypsy maids, who will tell your fortune as they do a spot of crystal gazing or whatever pet device they may have to coax the facts, real or imagined,. out of tho future. Dancing girls, bewitching maidens, talent of all descriptions are being imported into the city from far and near. Gaiety in fancy dress, and costumes, bizarre and otherwise, will be the order of tho day. Dancing, frivolity, side shows, archery, bathing beauty contests, wrestling, boxing, weight-lifting, and a thousand and one other forms of amusement, sport, and skill will be in evidence. Say it with music, do it with music, and spend to music will he a slogan of the day. If you wander from stand to stand and come upon a milkmaid who offers you a glass of milk from Daisy the cow, tethered near by, drink it to music and be thankful that under God’s good sky you can do your hit for the boys “ over yonder ” in your own small way. If buffoons lampoon you, or a ventriloquist makes fun at your expense, remember it will but be part of the day’s festivities; and if a sweet young dancing nymph steps a measure with you, don’t monopolise her for the day, for others might like to join in the fun. ARMY OF WORKERS. Yes, tho October 19, 1940, “ Olde Englishe Fayre ” will be the “ greatest ever.” Over 500 assistants and workers will see to that, to say nothing of the aforementioned talent. Special trains will bring their'qnotas of merrymakers to swell the throng. How can the transformation from an ordered city street to an old English fair be achieved without disorganisation? The promoters guarantee it as already done. Friday night, October 18, will be an ordinary shopping night, but 10, on Saturday _ morning, as though by the magic waving of a wand, the streets will be transformed. No trams or cars will clank or honk to mar the scene. Trams will be halted at the Exchange in the south and at Frederick street in the north, but a bus service, making a detour, will connect the two ends of the eitv. Four entrances only will be available to the “ fayre ” —George and Prinqes street and Upper and Lower Stuart street. The remainder will bo roped off, while within the roped-off section merriment will remain unchecked. Which all reminds ns again of the 1.882 fair held in tho Garrison Hall for a week. A quaint programme, worded in old English lettering, was issued at the time. It makes interesting reading, not only because of the ambitious nature of the fair itself, but also because of the wealth of memories it recalls in the names of old firms and identities still well known to tho older generation of to-day. A copy of it reposes \in the reference department of the Public Library.