PLUNKET BABY CARNIVAL

Chronicle (Levin), 18 March 1947, Page 3

PLUNKET BABY CARNIVAL

AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS Towards the end of last year the Shannon sub-branch of the Plunket Society was faced with the problem oi' raising £40 as its quota co the upkeep of the Karitane Hospital. At that time the local brancfc was not very ffnancial, and at s meeting of the committee set up to go into ways and means of raising the sum a suggestion was pu1 for ward that a baby contest be held. Arrangements were then made to hold the contest by photographs on dispiay in Mrs. Hyde'£ shop window, and voting opened at ld per vote. The committee, unaer the leadership of the secretary, Mrs. J, Creagh, worked very hard and the contest opened with 27 photographs on dispiay. Each baby had its own supporters, who were very busy arranging social afternoons and competitions, and when~ the contest closed on Friday evening the sum of £140 had been raised. This sum is indeed a credit to the parents of those children entered for the competition, to the committee and to the public generally. The winners of the contest were announced at a children's fancy dress party in the Druids' Hall on Saturday evening. At 7.30 p.m. the children and their parents commenced to arrive at the hall and in a very short time the hall was a blaze of colour from the various fancy costumes of the children, many of whieh were novel and cleverly made. Those present enjoyed immensely the many games and competitions arranged by Mrs. C. Tremewan and her willing band of helpers. At ait opportune time, the master of ceremonies, Mr. J. T. Bovis, called upon the Mayor (Mr. R. E. Downes) to announce the winners. A silence fell over the gathering as the children crowded round the stage to hear the results, the parents being content to remain seated, perhaps somewhat reiieved at the sudden quietness whieh prevailed. In opening his remarks, Mr. Downes took the opportunity of remarking on the excellent work the various Plunket societies were doing throughout the country, and congratulated the local branch on its enterprise in arranging the eon.test. The Mayor extended thanks to all those who had worked so hard to make the competition such • a success, to the mothers and fathers who had entered their children to help the Karitane Hospital, to Mrs. Hyde for her cooperation and to the public for their excellent support. The Mayor then made the announcement whieh had been so eagerly awaited, the winners of the contest. The first place was' awarded to Wendy Wishart, with 8298 votes, Peter and Paul, the Gardner twins, were jsecond with 4644 votes, and David Bateman with 4614 votes was third. Mr. Downes congratulated the winners and all the other competitors for their fine effort. Before leaving the stage, Mr. Downes awarded a special prize to Stuart McDonald, the Mangaore entry. Mrs. J. T. Bovis provided the music for the party. Following a delightful supper, the floor was handed over to the adults who enjoyed dancing until midnight to music provided by Mesdames Dalzell, Wishart and Bovis. The children who were responsible for the raising of the money, in the order of their number in the contest and not in placing, were as follows: Frederick Redshaw, Josephine Batt, Baby Ruha, Helen Tremewan, David Bateman, Bruce Small, Russell Whyte (Tokomaru), Baby Payne, Mark Stewart, Lynette Walker, Wendy Wishart, Baby Gibbons, Brian Hutchinson, Peter and Paul Gardner, Ivan Clough, Dawn Easton, Sandra Wilson, Norris Wilson, Beverley Robinson, Ronald Falkner, Roy Bishop, Stuart McDonald (Mangaore), Dawn Lucinsky, Baby Hook, Baby Woodmass •and Baby R. Hook. To these children and their parents, the Plunket Society extends its sincere thanks for their co-operation in raising the magnificent sum of £140. Competitions held in connection with the various - entries were won by the following: Baby No. 2, R. Wishart, H. T. White; baby No. 3, Mrs. Watson, R. Williams; baby No. 4, Mrs. E. Barber; baby No. 5, Mr. F. Perry, N. Richards, M. Hill; baby No. 6, Mrs. Allen, R. Anderson; baby No. 11, Mrs. Andrew, I. Griffiths, Mrs. Hannoy, L. Mansfield; baby No. 15, M'. Bulick-Hutt, A. Hudson, C. Free, A. Lincoln; baby No. 17, J. Simpson, Miss F. Burke; baby No. 20, C. Booker; baby No.^22, D. Sanderson; baby No. 26, Mr. Mclntosh, P. Coulter; combined competition: Mrs. J. T. Bovis.