THE CARNIVAL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 82, 27 November 1931, Page 4

THE CARNIVAL

PROGRAMME READY ' CAREFREE AND JOYOUS WEEK v OF MERRYMAKING IS . W PROMISEDi^ THIS YEAR'S EFFORT In its annual New Year carnival this year, Rotorua will make a determined effort to stem the tide of depression which has swept over the : country. This year's carnival is planned on a most extensive scale ahd the draft programme which has already been drawn up promises a week of joyous'and carefree holiday making." A speciaF organiser (Mr. E. M. Finlayson of Wellington) has been engaged by the Borough Council to take charge of all arrangements and on Wednesday conferred with members of the Publicity and Amusements committee of the Council in order to discuss preliminary details. ' The carnival has been planned on generous lines1 and not'a -minute of the week between Christmas and New Year will be allowed to hang heavily upon the hands of either residents or visitors. . Processions in costume and by torchlight, confettL battles, .'carnival dances and merry-making of every description will have full sway, culminating on the eve of'the New Year with the procession of that lugubrious autocrat "General de Pression," to a burial from which it is 'hoped that he will never be resurrected. The organiser returned. to Wellington yesterday after discussing .'matters with the committee but will return at an early date' to' take over the 'organisation of the carnival on -a full time basis. In the meantime, the Couneil has already commenced outside - publicity by means of letter stickers advertising the carnival, and no eifort is to be spared- to make the attractions of Rotorua's holiday week known throughout New Zealand. • ' The Programme The carnival will open on Christmas Eve when King Carnival, preced ed by his heralds will parade- the town in procession to announce the banishment of dull care and the reign of holiday. Decorated lorries will parade the streets from 8 to 10 p.m. with orehestras for dancing and accompanied with "showers of confetti and streamers. Definite areas in the main streets of the town will be closed for dancing at half hour intervals. t On Christmas night, in conformity with the spirit of the day, merry-mak-ing will lapse but in the evening a grand Yuletide concert will be held in the Town Square when combined ehoirs and the band will lead Christmast carols and hymns. Boxing Day On Boxing Day, a monster sports meeting wilh be staged in the Government Gardens by the Rotorua Athletic Club and in the evening a burlesque court with Mephistopheles presiding, will be held. Before • this dread tribunal a number -of citizens will he arranged. while 'an' " hour later, His Worship the Mayor, Mr. T. Jackson, will present the prizes won at the sports meeting during the day. This will be followed by an old time Maori feast with all its quaint ceremonial and steaming" cooking pots. The Municipal Band will- be in attendance throughout the evening. On Sunday, DecCmber 27, carnival will he suspended, but in the evening there will he a band or ; orchestral concert in the town ' square: " • • The evening of Monday will be given over to a grand Maori entertainment for which special arrangements are'being made and which promises to eclipse even the standard of the Maori per~ formances which have done so much in the past to popularise Rotorua carnivals. - - - ' 5 Monster Ball A monster plain and fancy dress masked ball will be'held on the Tuesday when showers of confetti, flowers, streamers and balloon's, will be Used to enhance the decorations. It has^not yet been decided whether the ball will be held in the open air or in the Majestic Ballroom. • Wednesday - night,- December 30, will be' given over to the visitors who will provide the whole of the programme. - Included in this will »be burlesque impressions of Rotorua.

The Grand Finale The final night, kew Year's Eve, will be the ' grand finale and has been organiged on-an extensive scale. In the afternoon there will be a children's session with a large -number of prizes for fancy dress ' competitions, apple eating, bun eating, races, blindfold boxing and pillow fighting, 6tc. A deinonstratibn bjr Boy Scouts hnd Girl "Guides -is also being considerod. • : •; ; Processions in costume are scheduled for the evening when the band or orehestras will.be in .the.,. tow.n square. Here again, excellent prizes are. offered for. the fancy; dress. sections, as well as for decorated vehicles and a- hotel display. - "Judging will take place in. the -Government Grounds in.front - of the 'main: -bath buildings. ■ v. ^ The Procession The grand procession" will commence at 10.30 -p.m. fr,om Queen's drive and will'follow a route Ijy way of Arawa Street, Tutanekai Stre'et, Hinemoa Street- and- Fenton Street- to the town square. The procession will be led by the Municipal Band- - and illuminated by torchlight. It will also act as- the funeral cortege? of.rGeneral de Presstbn carried by 'Ten Per Cent/ Cut," - "'Earthquakes," ^'Taisation" and "Unemployment," as' pall bearers. This, however, will be the only funeral note about the procidssion. At 11.15 p.m. the General- will be formally. .'executed;.-amid. thd rejoicings of the crowd and his departure will be followed by the^ .arrival jbf Father Time- and suite who .wilLdlso be fittingly farewelled. Final act ofall will be the ushering in of Princess Prosperity heralded by a fanfarq -of trumpets. The Princess will switch , oh a scheme of extensive lighting and hoist the Gold Standard-t'6' mark the coming of the New Year. -«-•