Second Day's Festivities.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 14 November 1918, Page 3

Second Day's Festivities.

lEveiii the weather—capricious as it has been for weeks past—favoured, Wednesday's festivities. Blue sky and warm sunshine tempered by a light breeze made the conditions ideal for out-dioor gatherjngis. The procession, enriched 1 by several notable new groups—assembled between 10 and l'l o'clock. John Bull was followed this |;im<? by three lady cyclists symbolical of England and France, and wearing the red caps of Liberty.. A car-load of nurses paid a tribute to a branch of the service that lias worked! heroically in the face of the grayest perils. The old manual fire engine was "manned" by a party of braiss-helmeted young ladies. Some well-known racing colours were seen out, and iihe Kaiser's a-corlci—Convict 99 and Mephistopheles—were both cleverly conceived characters, while several new pantomime artists caused plenty of merriment.

The route to Weraroa was traversed and an adjournment made to the (Domain. Here elaborate preparations had been made for the day. Hot water, tea and milk were supplied free, the returned men were entertained at luncheon, a sports course bad been measured and roped off. Plenty "of seats were provided for those who wished to rest, but hundreds of people preferred! to spread their rugs in the shade of £Tie trees and picnic there. A Punch and Judy show delighted the children an* a Kaiser-shy war also a source of much enjoyment, while "Bin: Willie's" effigv. fastened to a post, proclaimed itself ready for combustion. f) lp public came in hundreds and well over 2000 people were present in the middle of the afternoon. The sports for young and old were a huge success and there was some stirring band music. But mast of all, the relaxation of m'.'nd, the freedom from stress and strain and the knowledge thai: no longer would near and dear ones have to pass through the fire of war, gladdened the hearts and uplifted the spirit of all, and so a memorable day parsed to its close in the hiappiast of circumstance 1 :. Tlie evening was marked by another procession and an open-air concert on an .impromptu platform in the Domain. The Kaiser was burnt with enthusiasm and generally everybody gave expression to their innermost feelings. Many details in regard to the rertivities are held over including the names -of the sports winners and acknowledgment of the work of >':h'p organisers of a highly successful and creditable celebration.