CARNIVAL SUCCESS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 113, 5 January 1932, Page 6

CARNIVAL SUCCESS

AN APPRECIATION VIEWS OF MAYOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE PLACE IN HOLIDAY SCHEME Grafcification at the omtstanding success of the Carmival and appreciation of the support of the general pnhljc, was expressed yesterday by the Mayor, Mr. T. Jackson, and the chairman of the Publicity and Amusements committee of the Rotorua Borough Councsl, Cr. L. J. Bayfeild. At the same time, however, His Worship expressed surprise at the lack of support accorded the carnival hy a section of the public of Rotorua, while Mr. Bayfeild also expressed regret at the small number of entries rereceived in the boarding house and hotel section, in view of the fact that the hotel and boardinghouse proprietors ' were among those who benefitted most directly from the carnival. "The payment of an organiser has been amply justified by the success of the carnival," said the Mayor in a statement to the "Post." The carnival, I am sure, has come to stay and the appreciation whieh the visiting public has shown to the efforts of the Council to entertain them during their holiday, in itself is suffieient justification for any extra expenditure whieh was incurred. The success of last week's effort is conclusive proof that Rotorua's carnival has now taken its place as a recognised feature of the Dominion's holiday attractions. The peonle of the town and the Council should follow up the success of this carnival by concentrating upon the organisation of an even bigger and better effort at the end of 1932. Marked Improvement "The carnival as a whole, showed a marked improvement over that of the previous year, taking into consideration the depressed financial conditions and the lack of the festive spirit whieh was dominating the country. "A particularly pleasing feature of the carnival, Mr* Jackson stated, was tho increased interest shown by individuals as evideneed by the improved entries in the fancy dress and vehicles seetions. At no other previous carnival had so many people entered for these sections and the wide variety and careful execution of the costumes had set a new standard. So far as the vohicle section was coneerned, the standard of the entries had been particularly well maintained. This could be realised when it was remembered that last year, the nrocession had had the benefit of the vehicles used for the Queen carnival and the extent of the improvement could be gauged from the fact that the decorated vehicles on New Year's Eve was fully up to the standard set on the previous occasion. Daylight Procession One thing, however, was becoming increasingly apparent each year stated Mr. Jackson, and that was that the procession, or at all events the judg'ng of its different sections, should be carried out in daylight where its full effect could be obtained. At present the full beauty of the spectacle was lost by the fact that the lighting facilities in the Town Squai*e were not suffieient f.o show it off to advantage. In his opinion, before the next carnival, the rearrangement of the judg;ng in order that it might be carried out in the day time, should be seriously considered, while the possibilitv of eonducting an afternoon as well as an evening procession, might also be taken into account. Personally, he thougbt an after-

noon procession would prove a distinct attraction, if only that it would provide an oppoidunity for the smaller children to see the vehicles. At present many parents considered the evening procession too late for the children, and in consequence, often did not go themselves. Disappomtment While. expressing appreciation of the splendid work carried out by voluntary woikers in connection with the carnival, Mr. Jackson expressed disappointment at the apathy of many of the townspeople towards an effort whieh must have the most beneficial reactions upon the whole of the community. "If some of the people who criticise would work instead, we could make the carnival a big success in a very short time," Mr. Jackson said. Mr. Jackson expressed warm appreciation of the willing eo-operation and assistance given by' tbe Maori community. The native functions in the Town Square had been unique in charaeter and of a very high artistic standard. These items, in themselves, had been suffieient to make the carnival one of the outstanding holiday attractions in New Zealand, and must prove a most valuable advertising featui'e for future carnivals in Rotorua. The thanks, not only of the Council, but of the whole of the citizens of Rotorua, were due to the niembers of the na,tive race for their -splendid efforts. "Any money whieh was expended in organising and running the carnival, and in providing free entertainment for our visitors, is not an expenditure but an investment of the very soundest order," concluded Mr. Jackson. Cha5rms.n's Appreciation "The success of the carnival was due very largely to the willing' band of workers on the committee," said Cr. L. J. Bayfeild, chairman of the Publicity and Amusements Committee, who expressed warm appreciation of the assistance given by judges, stewards, and other voluntary workers. "I would like to thank all those good peoule who so ably assisted in tho running of the carnival," said Mr. Bayfeild. "In this connection I must make special mention of the Maori people. The entertainment and' hangi held Wednesday, Deeember 30, has been so favourably commented on, that it is considered to be the outstanding feature of the whole week. Also the filling of the breaeh on Christmas night by the Maori Catholic choir, when after hard work by several gentlemen, it was found impossible to g«t the Rotorua,

Church choirs to combine and give a concert, is heartily appreciated. Again on New Year's night, when it was found impossible to get suffieient items from our visitors to make a programme, Tokaanu Maoris were called on at the last moment, and agreed to fill the gap. This shows a wonderful spirit on the part of the Maori people, and I feel I cannot let the occasion go without publicly thanking them for their splendid efforts." Start Later

Now that the carnival was over, Mr. Bayfeild stated, he had taken note of a number of things in whieh he thought next year's effort could be improved. For one thing, he was quite convinced that in future the carnival should not commence earlier than Boxing Day as the experience of the past week had shown that many hundreds of visitors had only just arrived and settled down by that time. He had been surprised and disappointed at the lack of support accorded the hotel and boardinghouse section of the procession by very many of the proprietors of public and private houses. An exception must be made for two well-known houses whieh had put forward excellent eriJp'ies, and for two other gentlemen connected with the boarding-houses, who had given invaluable assistance as members of the committee. He quite realised that all houses were busy at this particular period, but so were a number of other businesses and people. After all, the accommodation houses benefitted very largely from tbe carnival, he said. "As everybody should lcnow, the carnival is run by the Rotorua Borough Council, for the special entertainment of our visitors, so that they may go away as a walking advertisement of the attractions of our town and district. Those people who helped, will therefore have the satisfac-t-ion of knowing that they have done something toward helping along the progress and welfare of the town of Rotorua," concluded Mr, Bayfeild;