Wairoa Celebrates

Wairoa was en fete on Saturday, March 14, when a procession of decorated floats was watched by many thousands of residents and visitors. It was the principal event in the town's centennial celebrations.

Princesses and their attendants, competing in a queen carnival which raised £8737 for a centennial memorial library, also rode in the procession.

Many beautiful and elaborate floats were entered, and the procession was not without its humorous moments.

Later in the day, prize beauties and babies were selected at a carnival.

Jaycee-Tennis Princess Alice Beale and her attendants Janice Mitchell (left) and Raynor Nugent. Following them, Joe Hati and his flying gang look longingly at the Clyde.

Here's one member of the "flying gang" who stuck to his post and gave us a good picture!

Borough solicitor Cardo Evans as 1859 tax collector

Woolworths beautiful float. About £30 worth of fresh flowers from Gisborne, Wairoa and Levin on this float were later donated to Wairoa Hospital.

Another beautiful entry, "Honour to the Pioneers" from Hawkes Bay Farmers

"Wooly's" girls were eye-catchers

Wairoa Aero Club's entry. This DH.60 wooden Moth was the last aircraft of its type built with folding wings. It was built in England in 1927, flown to Australia, and shipped to N.Z., where it was used as a training plane during the war. It has about 12,000 fuselage flying hours to its credit, but is still flown with confidence by its owner, T. H. Hall, Jr. The lady at left, walking, is Mrs T. Whealen, daughter of the late Mr T. Lambert, noted journalist and historian and author of "Old Wairoa," now regarded as a most valuable publication.

Huri Callaghan, leader of Te Wairoa Maori Club, pictured on the club's float

The "Gold Top" types aboard their float. In centre is Bert Davidson, mine host at the Ferry Hotel, who won the King Carnival held in conjuction with the Queen Carnival.

The Te Wairoa Maori Club's float, with Rangi Paku standing between the two canoes.

The Grenadiers of Wairoa marching in the parade

Joe Hati leading the Ministry of Works "flying gang" of 1909

Swifts of Wairoa 25th anniversary float. Lamb at left is a real frozen lamb.

Wairoa Hospital float. Lady in oilskin is Miss I. Banks, M.B.E., who returned from Paraparaumu for the occasion.

Pretty girl with "windswept, look" on Christie's float, was Gloria Trask

Merv Hunt's 1903 Rover, which was driven up from Taradale

Winters Value House Ltd. entry

Williams & Kettle's float. Sue Taylor and Jan Phillips with Susan Lake and Bruce and Dianne McCulloch.

Rowing Princess Marcia Martin and attendants Joyce Rose (at left) and June Bradley.

Combined Churches' Float. This half showed early missionary teaching the gospel

Funny faces

"Prevent Forest Fires"? In this pose Jackie Kendrick's more likely to start one!

Wairoa Registered Nurses float

Old-time driver squires Mrs Phyl Barnes and Mrs Gladys Spence

The other half of the Churches' float, with Geoff Harding as the modern minister

Napier Ladies Highland Pipe Band in procession

Wairoa Play Centre. At rear: De Luxe Service Station entry

The Maori Princess, Miriama Cooper (right), who was crowned Queen of the Carnival, with her attendants Hine Manvel and Raiha Tipoki.

In the top picture at right is the Band & Nurses Princess, Jocelyn Muir, with her attendants Daphne Korau (left) and Bessie Nehemia.

In the lower picture is the Cricket-Swimming Princess, Lois Mclntyre with her attendants June Halpin (left) and Glenys McLaren. Our camera somehow missed the Country Princess, whose picture, if available in time, will appear elsewhere in this issue.

....And so on to those lovely lassies in the Bathing Beauty Contest. Here's Kay Ryan treading the boards with suitably demure mien, while all eyes appraise her charms

Line-up for the Beauty Contest. On the narrow staging, this was the best our camera could manage.

Co-winner Raewyn Muir, who shared title honours with Fay Gollop, smiles confidently on the crowd.

Raewyn and Fay with contest chairman A. H. James. At right, Alexa Sheppard, who filled second place.

Yes, Wairoa's carnival really went with a swing

Mrs N. R. Walker with her Tracey, champion baby of the carnival

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 57 : April 2, 1959

Wairoa Celebrates