A spectacle that cannot be described

A few minutes after six, the firing of the Jingal at the Maligawa announced to an eager crowd that could have been counted by the thousand, that the great Perahera procession had begun its march and the excitement increased consequently. 

The beat of a hundred drums, the tumultuous sounds that arise from thousands of lusty throats and the hundred and one other noises peculiar to the Perahera procession are next heard. 

The procession winds its way slowly to the measured tread of the elephants — there were 38 forming the procession. A Perahera procession on a scale such as what was impressed on this occasion is a spectacle that cannot be described. The tapestried monsters whose self-importance is seen in their slow, stately stride, when everyone else is in a state of mad excitement — the seething masses of humanity extraordinarily heterogeneous crowds, the fantastic dancers — the weird torchlights and the many other things that go to make up the Perahera procession can better be imagined than described.

The task of keeping such a crowd in order and thus preventing disaster is alone a herculean effort and when this is well done, surely a word of praise on the energetic Superintendent of Police and his staff will not be out of place. Both Mr. de Saram and his men worked hard all day and their labours were increased a hundred fold through the Perahera procession, but the greatest order was maintained throughout.

Colombo/Dikoya rugby 

The annual rugby football match between Colombo and Dikoya took place at the Polo ground, Havelock Racecourse on 23rd (June) Saturday evening. Everything conduced to render this popular fixture a success. Beautiful weather, a large and fashionable gathering and excellent sport were elements which made the match one of the most successful events held. 

The teams arrived on the grounds about 4.30 o'clock and before proceeding to the venue of play were photographed by Mr. Kerr of Mann Skeen & Company while in the meantime the attendance increased considerably and by the time the play commenced there must have been about 500 spectators who follow the game with eager interest from start to finish. The ground was in excellent condition and Dikoya got the better of their opponents and won. 

The Colombo-Dikoya match is regarded as the 'barometer' of the greater contest in August and with Saturday's result, therefore, it behoves Colombo to 'buck up' if she means to have a look in, in the match against Upcountry. Hine-Haycock captained the visitors and H M. Waldock the home team.

Foenander captains

S.P. Foenander captains Wesley College team in a match against Mr. Dissanayake's team at Price Park. In the team are J.E. Amarasekera, A . Barbet, A.P. Joachim, H.W. Dissanayake, A. W. Nathanielsz, E. A. Bechs, J. H. Perera, A. R. Wijekoon, S. P. Wijetunga and L. Barbett.

Principal returns

Mrs. Higgins, the esteemed principal of the Musaeus School and Orphanage returned by the NDL SS 'Munenchen' after about four months in Europe. She was accompanied by Mrs. Philip Freudenberg, a Swiss lady who will assist her in her work at Musaeus School.

Patients increase

General Hospital, Colombo has been crowded with patients and the admissions for the month numbered over a 1000. 

At present there are about 500 patients in the different wards. The new pauper ward will be ready shortly for use and will hold about 16 patients. Arrangements are being made to construct an administrative block in front of the hospital and the building will be a two- storied one.

Exhibition

Ceylon Society of Arts has announced that an Art Exhibition will be held in August.

- Media Man

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