GALA DAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 March 1943, Page 2

GALA DAY

VARIED EVENTS AT SOLWAY IN AID OF PATRIOTIC APPEAL. BRIGHT AND INTERESTING PROGRAMME. Several thousand people assembled at the Solway showgrounds on Saturday afternoon when a bright and varied programme was presented in furtherance of the Provincial Patriotic Fund appeal. The weather was brilliantly fine and the many trees on the ground, with their autumn foliage, formed a colourful background. Following welcoming hakas and action songs by a Maori concert party, a parade was held around the show ring. The parade was led by a Marine band, followed by teams in gay and colourful uniforms, representing the Wairarapa Interhouse Association; the Masterton Municipal Band, two lorries conveying the Maori party and a troop drawn from the Independent Mounted Rifles. Immediately after the parade three teams of Interhouse girls, Rolph’s, Hansell’s and the Maori team, gave a splendid exhibition of the drill and marching which they carried out in the Wanganui marching championships. All the teams gave a good account of themselves, and as was the case in the parade, their smartness and erect carriage were favourably commented on. The troop from the Independent Mounted Rifles gave a very creditable display of mounted drill. The standard of horsemanship was very high and the manner in which dead-straight lines were kept during the manoeuvres was praiseworthy. A highlight of the afternoon was an exhibition of sheep dog working by Mr Gordon Thompson and his New Zealand champion trial dog “Speed.” Mr C. S. Hay gave an interesting commentary on the event over a loudspeaker system. The clever and smart way in which the dog worked brought forth rounds of applause. ’ As Mr Hay observed, the dog gave a flawless exhibition. Another popular and amusing item was a trick sheep dog working event in which Mr Wiltshire’s dog worked a rooster into a wooden box and then into an open sack. After several attempts, in which the rooster showed fight and vigorously chased the dog, the rooster was driven into the box and a piece of wood holding the box up was nosed away by the dog. The dog then released the rooster by pushing the box over and subsequently worked it into the sack. An exhibition of-jumping was given by Miss Joan McGuinness on the New Zealand champion jumping show horse “Scout.” The announcer stated that Scout had won twenty show championships and 60 first prizes. He was bred by Mr McGuinness and traced back to Carbine. Although Scout had been brought in from a spell in the paddocks he jumped in his usual brilliant manner. ' One of the final items on the programme was a display •of musical horse stalls. A number of visiting servicemen took part on a variety of horses and some amusing and exciting races resulted. The concluding item was a repeat performance given by the Maori party. At night Aplin’s paddock, in South Road ,was lit by strings of coloured lights. A large crowd gathered to dance to music supplied by a Marine band. In another building a variety of games, etc., were enjoyed. The interiors of the buildings were decorated with [flags and bunting, while across South Road huge flags were strung overhead. Supper was served. At a meeting this morning of the Patriotic Committee many requests were received to repeat the gala on Wednesday next and arrangements were accordingly put in hand. A local orchestra is being, provided for the dancing. It was regretfully decided that owing to lack of space it would not be possible to acknowledge gifts under £1 through the paper, although the committee is very grateful for them.