Age of the borough ends

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 237, 29 March 1988, Page 1

Age of the borough ends

The aroma o f whole pigs and sides of b e e f roasting on spits greeted visitors to Raetihi o n Saturday as the town stepped back in time t o medieval England. The occasion marked the cessation of Raetihi as a Borough and culminated in a traditional medieval feast. No feast would be complete without a King and Queen and their entourage, and the weekend's festivities were no exception. The town's nobility turned out in all their finery, accompanied by the right royal f o o 1 , dowager duchess, town crier and clergyman - all playing their respective roles with expertise. In comparison, the serfs and menials of the kingdom modelled sacking smocks and matching booties. Those foolish enough to earn the King's wrath were thrown into the stocks set up on the main street and left to the mercy of the baleful crowd. Rogues were gleefully bombarded with jelly and instant

pudding by on-lookers before being set loose. Donkey rides on the grass area outside the Raetihi Hotel proved

popular with the children, while adults opted for the more vigorous pastime o f tug-o-war.

A portion of the proceeds from activities went to the Waimarino's Chills Off committee.