QUEEN OF THE CARNIVAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2416, 23 March 1915, Page 6

QUEEN OF THE CARNIVAL

TO BE OR NOT TO BE? MR. G. P. SKERRETT ON LOCAL FOLKS' IDIOSYNCRASIES. Yesterday afternoon the executive committee of the Wellington Citizens' Carnival were called together by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) for the purpose of hearing a proposal from Professor Owen Cardston as to the lines on which the next carnival might be run. Professor Cardston, who lias had considerable experience in managing such werry functions, stated that ho was only putting forward a suggestion. This was that tl lio committee should hold a combined bazaar, spoctacular display, and Carnival Queen election, which he was sure would be a success, if they could be certain of obtaining the co-opera-tion of the ladies to manage the stalls in the bazaar. In that department he would suggest that there be two fanoywork stalls, two refreshment stalls, and produce, flower, kitchen, jumble, and gentlemen's stalls. With a lady in charge of these ten stalls he would suggest that each should have ton assistants, whose duty would be to take at least £1 a night each. That would mean £100, and with the receipts at the doors, say £150, and with special displays on each of the twelve nights he was confident ,-that a large sum- of money could be raised. In the Carnival Quje£n election, girls would he nominated by different sections of the community, such as the amalgamated sports, Territorials, Tramways, Hutt and Petone, the City, suburban, Manawatu and Wairarapa, drapers, travellers, Maoris, etc. The election would bo by vote, which could be purchased in ticket form, and could be extended over four weeks, when a coronation ceremony would be held, which would make another attraction, spectacular and educational, and in no wise a burlesque. In answer to a question, Professor Cardston said he had conducted such affairs in nearlyevery town in New Zealand. At Timaru the net result was £9000 for the Belgian' Fund, which took four weeks to organise and carry out. The Christchurch Carnival, on which he was now closed on April 17. The Rev. H. \an Staveren said that if anything of the kind were done it would have to be done, quickly, as they could only look for five or six weeks more of fine weather.

Professor Cardston said the carnival ■would be much better if it were held indoors in Wellington. Mr. A. Paape said he knew these Carnival Queen affairs had been most successful in the small towns where everyone knew each other, but in cities whero the population was large it would, he conceived, be very difficult to interest all sections of the community. Whilst the Queen business would be the trump card, they would have to have something else with it—a huge carnival, with a number of stalls and displays of various kinds arranged in two parts. He would suggest that a small sub-com-mittee bo set up to go thoroughly into the matter before deciding to go on with it, as he could see that it would necessitate a great deal of work and worry.

"Many efforts aro being made at the present time," said Mr. C. P. Skerrett," to raise money for patriotic I purposes, and there were aIT sorts of funds, without any orderly basis. The suggestion is that the carnival should be ill aid of the Belgian Fund. Without wishing to discourage anyone, I would like to 6ay that the point has been raised that there was a doubt as to whether the money reached those for whom it was intended. Sir Edward Grey had declined to allow any Government funds to be so used, whilst ho did not discourage any. private effwt to assist the Belgians. As matters _ stood there was in London the Belgian Commission, which was, he understood, quite an authoritative body, which had made the suggestion that New Zealand should contribute as its j share £120,000 per year. It was suggested that if £5000 per month were voluntarily subscribed the Government would subsidise with another £5000. Whether it ireut to the Belgians or not, the committee should not lose control of tho money until satisfied that it was going through the right channel." "It is hoped," continued Mr. Skerrett, "that the war will not last through another winter. If it does, I am very much afraid there will be some local demands, as well as thoso of an international character. (Hear, hear.) No doubt the Belgian Fund was the only one that appealed at the moment, but those who controlled the money should not be tied down, and should look forward with greater foresight than the individual donor. I have been told that AVollington is a very bad place for carnivals, due perhaps to the idiosyncrasies of the people, and I have my doubts as to the scheme, which involves a meretricious combat between women, whose friends get their friends to buy votes to be used in their favour. I don't think it will go here. The bazaar would bo a success, but that is a small matter. This point was not to be overlooked—that very serious calls are being made on our people, and it would not be wise to attempt something that does not suit the idiosyncrasies of the general public. It is fast coming into winter, and. this sort of thing involved a procession or parade through the streets. To me there is nothing so depressing as such a parade with a good old southerly buster on." (Applause.) On the motion of the chairman, it was decided to go into the whole, matter by means of a sub-committee." This was tgreed upon, and the following committee was appointed: Tho Mayor (chairman), Hon. J. G. W. Aitken, M.L.C., Messrs. A. Marryatt, C. G. Wilson, C. P. Skerrett, Geo. Frost, J. F Atkins, and A. Paape. This committee is to report later to a meeting of the general committee.