THE GRAND PARADE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1933, Page 4

THE GRAND PARADE

, A FITTING FINALE.

As a fitting wind-up to the successful baby contest organised by the Phpiket Society a decorated variety procession was held yesterday afternoon from the State 'School to the Princess Theatre where the final ceremony was held. There was a large crowd in Hampden Street in the vicinity of the School to see the precession move, off, and keen interest 'was ■ displayed all along the route, especially in the lmrireoS'' cection of the town along Revell, Weld and Sewell Streets, the fotopaths being lined with interested spectators who reaped much amusement from the humorous and original items which constiuted the procession. The organisation was in the capable hands of Miss Anne Duff and Mr R. Lynn whose efforts were rewarded by the success of the display. The parade which was of generous size was headed by the Municipal Band, and the Fire Brigade, which was followed by • the Hokitika Ladies Hockey Club in' decorated car, attended by a guard of honour ; the “Jockey Club” accompained by the Clerk of the Course ■ a State School car decorated ' with greenery and the school colours; a neat turn out by the Hygiene Fish-Mart; a car bearing the slogan “Don’t-Use Soviet Petrol”; the “Dark town Fire Brigade”; Newman’s Motors, Ltd. ; attractive di plays by Turner and Co., Kortegast’s Ltd,, and Ford’s Brewery, Ltd.; a big lorry decorated like 'tv hut, bearing a party of Arahura Maoris; a very entertaining exhibit by Keller’s; and others by the Kokatahi Dairy Co., and Batys, as well ms a number of primte decorated cars, and numerous individual fancy costumes. ‘ ‘

At the Princess Theatre later the following awards were made:—Best decorated turn-out, Arahura Maori petty; most original, Hygiene Fish Mart; host turn-out, Baty’s Ltd. .Special mention was made of “Baby Bunting.” * At Princess Theatre there was a crowd, mostly young people, who crowded the house from tup to bottom, there not'being an inch of available space, when the' curtain went up for, a short' programme arranged by Miss Anne Duff. The opening feature was a Maori solo and haka, that received a great encore. Then followed a number of comedy skits having "reference. to "the Work of the .Plunket Society. -TheVfirst pair-showed a cobble of local coihediiins 'and they were followed by a series of short acts showing Plunket mimes, with Br. Childs do a -nursing sister and Mr W. E. Brown as the baby, in the principal • roles. A - bevy 'of -.school ;girls gave' a pleasing chorus and were followed by l members of the carnival in. a series of solco, and chorus having a local application.' ? " j Mr H. M; Coulson \ya® tlie speakef ! of the gathering and he took the op- ’ twtiwifcy- of congratulating all concerned at the splendid'success achieved in connection with the effort completing that afternoon, the fine sum of £202 received being a very fine contribution indeed. A tribute was ■paid to the participants in the pageant ■ of the afternoon, and deserved praise was given to Mr Robert Lynn who had j taken the le-ding part of the organI sation. of the display. Thanks - were j also due to Miss Duff for her part so | ably carried out. Mr Coulson then 'thanked one and all who had assisted in the contest, and proceeded to refer to the quartette of babies who were the principals of the stage setting at the moment and whose special manners for the occasion were of the best. The dots made a pleasing picture indeed all appearing in the best of good health and good humour, one dot taking charge.and wandering around the stage to the delight of the audience. Mr Coulr.on then asked Mrs Dr. Wilson (president : of the Plunket Society) to make small presentations to the four babies as mementoes of a very happy contest.

To the sports baby, the winner, Jean Havill, of Callaghans, was presented a handsome silver mug, and to the three other contestants, Jean Howat, of Hokitika, Sheila Williams, of Welieka, and Yvonne Oliver, of Hokitika, silver serviette rings were presented. In concluding has remarks Mr Coulson called for three cheers for the baby winner, three dheers for the other three contestants, and then three cheers for all those who had helped to make the contest such a great success.

Just as the proceedings were being brought to a closer,- Mr George Taihtli took the stage and in flowery language expressed the pleasure of the Maori to have taken part r.nd assisted the pakeha in the making of the success nf the function, a Maori song being then chanted, and he then led the assemblage in the singing of the National Anthem, a fitting conclusion to a remarkably function.