PATRIOTIC CARNIVAL.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15873, 12 April 1917, Page 3

PATRIOTIC CARNIVAL.

SUCCESSFUL AFFAIR AT AKAItOA

In the early part of last spring there was formed the Peninsula Patriotic Association with its headquarters in Akaroa. Its main object was to make a sppcial effort to raise .a sum of at least £2000 as the nucleus of a fund that would be likely to satisfy the demands of all Cutnro appeals. ■ Some months back it was agreed - that this special effort should bo read is at ICaster time. Tho delightful, weather experienced over Easter, helped very materially'to make the carnival a success. The'programme opened with a gaia picnic across the harbour at Wainui on Saturday. The proprietors of the large passenger oil-launches, Messrs Basil Henning, C. Pool, and George Whelch, placed their boats at the disposal of tho carnival executive for the day. Several hundreds of people wye safely carried across and back. At Wainui, sports and competitions of various kinds were carried out, while a large marquee, run by tho Wainui folk, provided, for a small charge, lurch and afternoon tea. T)ie day's outing should be tho means of adding well over £100 t-o tho Patriotic Fund. On Easter Monday a fete was held at tho Recreation Ground, Akaroa. Around the outside of tho croquet lawn were stalls at which goods, ranging from garden produce to articles of clothing and works of art, sweets, and icc-crcanvs, were sold. The Mayor, Mr Geo. Armstrong, formally opened the fete at 11 a.m. Near by, live and dead stock proved an attraction to the farming folk, and were ultimately disposed of at satisfactory figures. Hanging along a fence was a fine collection of hares, the outcome of a "drive" carried out the previous day by a few local sportsmen. The raffles, competitions, and side-shows were well supported. The Maoris from tho Kaik and Tikao had a stall laden with articles, both useful and ornamental, comprising their own handiwork. There ! were also refreshment tents, presided over by Akaroa ladies. lu the evening the Oddfellows' Hall was packed, when an entertainment was provided by thrco visitors and tho Akaroa Christy Minstrel 7'roupe. On Tuesday afternoo.n various tournaments were held on the bowling and croquet greens and the tennis courts, and a substantial little sum was raised. It is exported that, by tho time all the lists are in, the Association's j executive will hare the £2000 aimed at..