NAPIER CARNIVAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2141, 17 March 1908, Page 2

NAPIER CARNIVAL.

THE OPENING CEREMONIES. SUCCESSFUL NATIVE GATHERING. Press Association. NAPIER, March 16. Napier inaugurated its ten, days’ carnival to-day under conditions of a promising nature. The town is crowded with, visitors from near and far, and the weather, though chilly, is fine. All the main streets are freely decked with bunting, and a holiday feeling prevails. The official opening took place at the Marine Parade rotunda, where brief addresses were delivered by the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Labor, the Mayor, Mr. J. Vigor Brown, aud others. lSubsie- f quently a huge Maori demonstration was held on the Recreation Ground, and the howling tournament-, in which fifteen rinks are engaged, commenced, later: it will run threo days, and be followed by the pairs matches. Races will fill the bill to-morrow. On Wednesday there will be the swimming championships, and sailing on T-hurs-day; motor gymkhana on Friday, athletic gala on Saturday, swimming and rowing championships on children’s fete on Tuesday, and a grand military tournament- to wind up on Wednesday. The Native gala on the Recreation Ground was an immense success. The attendance was a- record for any sports gathering in Napier; the crowd on the grounds was only exceeded on the occasion of the visit of the Imperial troops. It is estimated that nearly 8000 people were present. The programme comprised habas, poi dances, cakewalks, tug-of-war, wrestling, jumping, running, and bicycle events for the Natives. The entries were large, and the eu-'' thu-siasm displayed by the competitors in every event lent additional excitement to the gathering. Many visitors described the dancing, both of the hakas and pois, as superior to that seen at the Exhibition.

BOWLING TOURNAMENT.

Press Association. NAPIER.. March 16. The bowling tournament in* connection with the carnival was commenced to-day. Following is the result of today’s play: First- Round. —Section A: Palmerston North (C. Bropliy), 40, beat Palmerston North (Pickering), 10; Daunevirke, 19, beat Napier (Smith), 17; St. John’s, 22, beat Wellington, 21; Marion, 24, beat Greenmeadows (Crowley), 15. . Section B : Bluff Hill, 35, beat Hastings, 10; Palmerston North (Bunting), 21, beat- Napier (Bull), 20; Gisborne beat Greenmeadows (Hadley); Masterton a bye. SECOND ROUND. The following is the result of the second round of tho bowling tournament : Section A: Dannevirke 23 beat Palmerston North (Pickering) 9, Napier (Smith) 27 beat Wellington 17, St. Johns _23 beat Greenmeadows (Crowley) 15, Palmerston cNorth (Bronhy) 31 beat Marion 19. Section B: Bluff Hill 25 beat Na-. pier (Bull) 22; Palmerston North (Bunting) 21 beat- Hastings 15, 'fJt'eeumeadows (Badlev) a bye, Gisborne v. Masterton to play. THE GISBORNE BOWLERS. WIN THEIR FIRST MATCH, (Special to Times). NAPIER, March 16. Our trip down was good, but terribly slow, and we only got up by 11.45. Wo were duo to play Greenmeadows at 11; however, we got there in time to beat them by 26 ‘to 22. The accommodation here is severely taxed, and we are located in the principal hotel (Masonic), with twelve occupying the same room, which is fortunately a l<jrge one.’ The whole town is crowded to excess, and it promises to be a gay week for Napier. The arrangements seem to be well in hand, and capable men are at the helm. There is no doubt- that this will be one of the events for posterity. as far -as Napier is concerned. There is not a very big contingent of bowlers here, hut the calibre of those present seems to be good.