Huge Easter crowd saw a great procession

Thousands of people lined the streets of Port Macquarie yesterday, many of them among the huge influx of holiday visitors for the Easter weekend, to witness the 14th annual procession associated with the Carnival of the Pines.

Like the rest of the Easter weather, it was a warm, sunny day, and beach crowds soon built up when the procession ended. Major-General John R. Stevenson, CBE, DSO, ED, came up from Sydney to officially open the carnival.

Before doing so Major-General Stevenson commented on the importance of tourism to Port Macquarie and the development that had taken place here. Referring to “the intangibles” in successful tourist promotion, he said man pursued two objectives – happiness and safety.

People made to feel welcome were happy people, and benefits spread throughout the state when men and women found a place where they could relax and return home refreshed. He said it was well known that many parliamentarians found relaxation here and sang the praises of the area. 

Mr Ron Whitehead was at the microphone as usual, and gave an interesting and entertaining commentary as the procession passed by – along its new route down William Street, with the dais situated on Horton Street. Float winners were announced later in the day.

Best queen float: Golf Club; Princess: Oxley County Council; Best decorated: The Easter Bunnies; Best commercial: Parry School of Dancing; Most comical: Flying Club; Individual: John Casey; Best historical: Port Macquarie Rural Co-op and Westport Bowling Club; Best sesqui-centenary float: HD Historical Society; Sporting: Port Macquarie Women’s Bowling Club.

The one-and- a-half mile procession did justice to the town’s sesqui-centenary year with half of the 60-odd items being decorated floats.

Lyn Prince crowned Carnival Queen

Port Macquarie’s librarian Miss Lyn Prince was crowned Queen of the Carnival of the Pines last night, and Miss Deborah Paice is Princess of the Pines. Lyn was sponsored by the Apex Club, and Debbie by the Garden Club. There were almost as many people outside the Church of England hall as those packed tight inside to enjoy the high standard of entertainment, and to witness the crowning ceremony. Both queen and princess won tremendous ovations.

Astronomers converge on Port Macquarie

A young amateur astronomer, David Harlos, flew out from America to join representatives of all Australian states at the second annual convention held by astronomers at a national level in this country. About 70 delegates converged on Port Macquarie’s Observatory during last week, and on Saturday morning, in the presence of a very notable gathering, the mayor, Ald C.C. Adams, officially opened their convention. Two days and one evening of intensive lectures and films followed before a happy dinner function at the golf club on Sunday evening wound up proceedings. Dr. Harley Wood, NSW government astronomer, was guest speaker at the ceremony, which was chaired by Port Macquarie’s very notable astronomer Mr. Albert York.