There has been nothing unlucky so far in Port Macquarie’s thirteenth annual Carnival of the Pines as far as weather is concerned – in fact it has been the best run of calm, sunny days the carnival has known.
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The two-mile long procession yesterday was the biggest ever and could be classed as one of the most attractive; there were more athletes competing than ever before; more sailing boats than in any other year, while accommodation houses and the camping areas easily broke all previous records when thousands of people flocked into the town.
About the nicest compliment the carnival chairman Ald C. C. Adams (deputy mayor), and his small committee, could receive came from the state Minister for Tourism, Mr Willis, when he said yesterday that Port Macquarie’s annual carnival was one of the best known in the state, and certainly one of the best organised.
Record crowds in town and at every function organised for the carnival testified to what Mr Willis had to say.
People commenced streaming into the town on Thursday last; extra plane services, chartered buses, and private cars arriving during Friday, had the town bursting at the seams on Saturday morning.
Races, athletics, sailing, an air pageant, spectacle, music with visiting bands and, that very delightful group, the St George Police and Citizens Boys Club, entertainment on the green, beauty queens and princesses, and a grand procession, have certainly made the carnival worthwhile – for its organisers and many thousands of people.
A huge crowd gathered on Clarence and Horton Streets, to witness the procession and hear Mr E. Willis, chief secretary and Minister for Tourism, officially open the carnival.
Ald Adams said they had caught a glimpse of Mr Willis enjoying himself recently at the annual dinner of the oyster farmers’ association; and his committee had decided they could do better than that. He then produced two enormous snapper, praising the Angling Club for their efforts before doing so, and presented these – one for Mr Willis, one for Mrs Willis.
Ald Adams said the fish would bear out Port Macquarie’s claim to have fishing grounds unequalled anywhere.
Mr Willis said he would like “those not able to be here today” to enjoy the fish, and asked for them to be sent to the hospital as he and Mrs Willis would not be going home until tomorrow.
He said it was always a pleasure to come to Port Macquarie and he was not exaggerating when saying that Port Macquarie was now one of the leading tourist centres of the state.
Mr Ron Whitehead described the floats as the procession moved past the dais.
The hotels-motels float was the outstanding feature of the procession, beautifully designed and put together.
There was also beauty, in the hospital float, with its Easter theme, and another float in the beautiful bracket was entered by the golf club.
The Historical Society turned back the pages, and humour was abundant in floats presented by the Garden Club (hands off the Christmas Bells on Cathie Plain), the bowling club, the Rural Co-op’s mini pool, the council’s effort, and many others.