NEW YEAR SPIRIT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20133, 30 December 1939, Page 4

NEW YEAR SPIRIT

LAST NIGHT’S CROWD TOOK CHARGE OF ROAD MOTOR CAR "BOUNCED’’ PIPE BAND IN STREET Although New Year’s Eve by the calendar was two nights ahead, the crowd in the Gladstone road shopping area last night gradually developed the New Year’s Eve spirit, which was rampant well before the closing of the shops at 9 o’clock. On occasions when the late shopping night is on New Year’s Eve the same traffic precautions as on Christmas Eve are taken, and all traffic is warned off the road in the main shopping area. Many people believed that the same measures would be taken last night, and were surprised when they found that cars were allowed in the main thoroughfare. The crowd in town was considerably larger than for an ordinary Friday night, and all efforts by traffic officers to keep the people to the footpaths, though succeeding for a time, were rendered futile as the sidewalks became congested. Loitering Crowds Gradually the crowd swelled out on to the road, and by 8.30 o'clock those in holiday mood took charge. Cars made but slow progress through the throng, and many young spirits, apparently resenting the presence of cars in the streets, loitered in front of the vehicles, a few standing obstinately in the way.

Some amusement for onlookers, though not for the occupants, was created when a few young men took advantage of one car that was crawling through a densely packed section. These young men seized the car during a temporary stoppage and bounced it on its tyres and springs in such a manner that the vehicle might have been a small boat ploughing head on into a very rough sea. Piners and Drummers The presence of a pipe band added to the carnival spirit. The pipers and drummers marched up and down the main street on several occasions, followed by a number of boys in paper hats and throwing paper streamers. Paper hats and streamers were well in evidence among the younger section of the crowd from mid-way during the evening shopping period, and after the closing of the shops large numbers remained in the street to continue the festivities.