QUEEN CARNIVAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2468, 22 May 1915, Page 7

QUEEN CARNIVAL

WELLINGTON WAKING UP ENTHUSIASM IN THE STREETS Were a stranger to 'drop -suddenly down upon Wellington from an airship he would probably form the impression that tho public was scarcely normal mentally. The cause of their temporary aberration, which wo all dolight .in showing, is tho Queon Carnival movement, which .is shaking even the gravest people out of their ordinary stride in life, and forcing them to wake up to tho importance of throwing in their lot with either this or that candidate, or with several for that matter. So long as the jingle of coin is heard falling into the hands of tho right parties, nothing else matters much at the present time. The Patriotic Society' has certainly made a hit with its Carnival idea, and Wellington is now fairly and_squarely interested. ' No Tickets on the Cars. , The tramway men, having be.en debarred from' pushing the sale of vote tickets on the cars, are not in the least down-hearted. A platoon of them in uniform, wearing the blue and yellow ribbons of their candidate, were actively engaged throughout the day selling tickets and be-ribhoned buttons. If a person purchases a card of tickets they get a button, and are immune from further persecution—if not, they are considered to be fair game for pursuit. On analysis it will be seen tnat the tramway men's device is a shrewd one, for having purchased a card, one lias to _ wear their candidate's colours or be bailed up time after time. "On the Road." Being used to the road, tho emissaries of the Wellington Commercial Travellers' Association were quite at liome when' they trundled round the town yesterday afternoon, exhibiting the smart little motor car which may bo won (for 2s. 6d.) by tlio one who guesses nearest to the total number of votes polled by all fifteen candidates for election as Queen of the Carnival. After Miss Kate Doughty, the travellers' nominee, bad been introduced to the members of the association yesterday afternoon, a sally was made into the streets, a halt being made in Grey Street, where in the presence of a couple of thousand puzzled people things happened which have to De recorded. A Handsome Clft. j On arrival at Grey Street, Mr. F. W. Manton, the club's patriotic orator, made a ringing speech about the great deeds our men were performing at the front to keep us a free people, and reminded those present, m very decided terms, of their obvious duty in connection with the Wounded Soldiers' Fund, which they were out to augment through the Queen Carnival. Mr. Manton'then sprang a surprise on the public. Tho Hon. t'he Prime Minister had been asked to come along, and on his arrival, which was the signal for enthusiastic cheering, said it was his pleasure and privilege to present to Mr. Massey as Prime Minister through their "Queen" candidate, a cheque for £250 from the members of the Wellington Commercial Travellers' Association for the Hospital Ship, an announcement that was received with ft volley of cheers and a storm of applause. The cheque was there and then handed to Miss Doughty, who passed it on to Mr. Massey.

Mr.' Massey, speaking from a' motorcar, thanked the Commercial Travellers most heartily on behalf of the people of New Zealand and the Government, for their generous and patriotio gift. He had just come away from a little farewell _ ceremony to the nurses who were going to the other side of the world to do their duty to New Zealand and the Empire. (Applause.) Our men who were fighting 60 gallantly at Gallipoli had done their duty right nobly, and it was up to everyone here to do their duty to those men and their dependents. (Applause:) Mr. Massey referred to the cable message received yesterday, stating that the Italian Parliament had, by a majority of three to one, decided to go to war and stand side by side with Britain and her Allies. (Cheers.) It all helped, and would mean bringing the war to a close sooner than otherwise. But the war had to go on, on, and on until it was brought to a satisfactory conclusion, and to that end he was quite confident that the people of New Zealand would do their duty. Motor Ambulance for Wellington, Th® Prime Minister then announced tvti* 0 Colonial Motor Company, of Wellington,'had presented the Wellington Patriotio Society with a motor ambulance for the use of our men at the front, which announcement onco more, drew three cheers from the big crowd for the donating company. Mr. Massey scarcely had the rights or the matter. The motor ambulance is for use in Wellington to convey the invahds from the ships to the various hospitals, and when there was no fnrther use for it the vehicle is to be disposed of in any manner the sociotv sees fit. . •' Speech by Mr. M'Laren. No. one is working harder for the Carnival than Mr. David M'Laren, who is bringing the weight of his campaigning experiences to bear on the situation with effect. Speaking from a motor car. Mr. M'Laren said that na he was-a member of tho executive, he could not work for any,one Queen candidate. Ho thought.they ought to all ww. but he could not but admire the spirit with which the Commercial Travellers wore working for their candidate They were setting an example to others as to hoy to get the money rr Uy iw ' w as oecoming very +« fhi \ r an3 ?H O to , S et "long owing to tho tactics of these highwaymen. The society wanted to get £50,000, but he Mas satisfied they would not be getting sufficient if they got £100,000 or ten times that amount, for what was that compared with what their men at the front were giving. They were eivins everything their all, their lives! (*£ plause.) He praised the ladies for the good work they were doing to assist New Zealand and Britain in the war a war not only for military supremacy' but ono for the rights and liberties 'of humanity. (Applause.) During tho speeches money was thrown into tho car, and on to the street, and plenty of tickets were soid for the car.

The Commercial Travellers are arranging a tango tea to take place in the Town Hall on Wednesday next at 'j p.m.; Tho ladies' committee is making all the necessary arrangements and an enjoyable afternoon is promised.' At 11 a.m. to-day tho Travellers will tour the streets with tho "Violets," who are to make a vocal appeal for the Wounded, Soldiers' Fund; this evening there is to be made a vigorous canvass in tho streets, and to-morrow evening the Travellers have arranged to give a sacred concert in the Town Hall. A collection will bo taken at the doors aid 0 f the Carnival's Fund for Wounded Soldiers. Enthusiastic Canvassing. It is to say that very few people in Wellington have been free from the attentions of "Queen" canvassers. The friends of the various candidates are busily at work, and the interest and enthusiasm in the election increase day by day. The "cause" is SU n- a f Wo! "thy one that the votes are .selling fast, and those neoole who have no uarticular personal choice among tho

candidates should do all of them honour by giving support to each. Tho votes cost only twopence each, and it is a poor citizen who cannot afford to purchase a fow votes every day uutil tho election closes. During: a Parliamentary election it is a risky proceeding to vote more than once, but 011 this occasion the good citizen will "voto early and vote often" — the oftener tho better. Every penny which goes towards the "Queen" election helps to aid tho fund for Wounded Soldiers and Dependents. It is important to remember that all voto-tickets should be placed in a ballot box, of which a large number are placed in prominent positions throughout tho city and suburbs. The votes aro not counted from the butts of tho ticket-books, but from those placed in tho ballot boxes. In another column of this issue will bo found an announcement giving tho names and numbers of the various "Queen" candidates, and of the positions of the ballot boxeß. Those who aro interested in the election —and that should be everyone—are advised to cut out this announcement for future reference. Efforts of the Lads in Camp. The men at Trentham Camp have chosen Miss Doris'M'Cormack as their candidate for the position of Queen of the great Carnival. Owiug to difficulties arising, the camp boys' candidate was being overlooked. This was put right by the holding of a most enthusiastic meotiug in the camp yesterday evening.

A party from town, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. D. M'Laren, Professor Cardston, Lieutenant Ninimo, and Miss Doris M'Cormack, the Military Queen 1 candidate, went out to the camp, and | received a right royal reception from the lads in khaki. By the kindness of I Lieutenant-Colonel Potter, tho Picture Show Building and the Salvation Army Building were both thrown open to tho visitors. Mr. M'Laren delivered a stirring address, and his references to Miss M'Cormack, their Queen, wero received with bursts of most enthusiastic cheering. It was a scene to bo remembered, when the great audience of probably over a thousand men, stood to salute the lady of their choice, and cheered again and again with lusty, whole-hearted goodwill. Professor Cardston addresesd the meeting, explaining the purposo of the Carnival, and the work required to be carrietj out. It was resolved to take up a collection forthwith, and another on pay day. A dozen troopers passed their hats round, and a good sum was raised to buy votes for their candidate. A committee was set up to administer affairs at Trentham, and Lieutenant Nimmo is appointed to organise the committee and work in town. Captain Gardner was invited to act as secretary for the committee at the camp, and the whole of the chaplains to act on the executive.

Arrangements were made for a. concert party to visit the camp from the city on Wednesday next, and give a special entertainment for the soldiers' candidate. As there is much good talent amongst-the men 'in camp, they will send a company to give a"'concert in one of our city halls, with spectacular setting illustrative of camp life. The Drum Band, under Lieutenant Nimmo—which is the first band of tho kind established in the North Islandwill turn out in the city, and stir the blood of all city dwellers. This great meeting closed with tho singing of the National Anthem.

| From this, and previous visits, Mr. M'Laren gives his impression of tho bo.vs in camp by saying "From all I witnessed, I am pleased to report that these men struck me as men wo car be fully proud of. Their whole bearing was courteous, high-souled, manly and gentlemanly. Their attitude towards the ladies, showed marked kindness, governed by deep respect, and what I particularly noticed was their chivalrous regard for each other expressed in various ways. The Queenly candidate has a right to be proud of being tho choice of such a very fine body of men." Executive Notes. At the midday meeting yesterday it was decided that the stalls be in operation in the Town Hall from June 14 to June 24 inclusive, and it was further resolved that the eight stalls being run in the interests of the executive bo placed first, as being commitments. The secretary reported that he had received an offer from the Colonial Motor Company of a motor ambulance wagon, to be built specially to the directions of the society, and to be sent to the New Zealand Forces at tho front. It was resolved that a letter of thanks be sent to tho Coloniail Motor Company, and that Drs. Elliott and Hardwick Smith be asked to confer and draw up specifications for building the ambulance wagon. It was also reported that the New Zealand Express Company has offered to do all cartage on behalf of the society free of chargc, and that Messrs. Stewart, Dawson and Co. had donated four prizes for the fancy dress ball. The question of providing a centre depot for goods donated is being considered. To facilitate the work of the executive, it was resolved that the following gentlemen form an I administrative executive to deal with matter of policy and urgency: Messrs. H. G. Hill, J. Lewis, E. J. Colley, D. M'Laren, J. Macintosh. Mr. J. P. Kelly, Mayor of Eastbourne, was elected a member of the General Executive. The "Hello" Cirl, A meeting of friends and supporters of Miss M. E. Roseingrave, of the Telephone Exchange, the nominee of the Trades and Labour Council, met last evening. Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh, M.P., presided over a large which was euthusiastic iu its support of the candidate. Several memoers laid stress on the fact that the telephone girl was one of the most, sirenuous workers in the community, and by her promptitude and attention to duty fulfilled Lord Kitchener's ideals of a soldier. A further meeting of Miss lloseingravo's supporters will bo held in the Trades Hall on Monday next to arrange other activities for "a girl we all require." Activity at the Hutt. At Lower Hutt and Petone various committees in connection with the carnival are working at high pressure. About £60 was promised at Lower Hutt yesterday, and it is proposed to hold a monster produce sale at I'ctono on 3iay 29. A ladies' committee, consisting of Mestlamos Fairburn, Eddie Dormer, Harmau, Cameron, M'Bain, M'Donald, Johnston, Upton, Burn, and Miss Peterkin. intends to canvass tho Hutt district to raise funds to provide a stall at the Carnival for. Miss Senior, tho Hutt Valley' candidate. A Maori Contingent. - The Commercial Travellers' Association, together with the Central Club and combined warehouses, have arranged a particularly fine entertainj nient to be given in the Town Hall on | June 29. The programme will bo supplied m its entirety by members of tho Maori race from the Manawatu. Tho beauties of the dances, games, and customs of the Maori are unfamiliar to j all exccpt tho older residents, and the entertainment will therefore be exceptionally attractive. Full details of tho programme will bo advertised later. A WEST COAST RUSH. Working a Claim. Typical of the early days <in the West Coast, with all the vigour and keenness so closely identified with the pioneer days of New Zealand, an overwhelmine rush for tho Queen Carnival [ "Mine"- has sol in. Already uumec-

ous "claims" liavo beon "pegged out," and tho demand is increasing to an alarming extent. As a result of spirited eflort, several largo nuggets aro reported to have been unoarthed, and experts express the opinion that tho amount of alluvial grouiul in sight iB unprecedented. Work is ill full swing night and day, and llio iinal "wash-up" promises to shatter all previous records of the kind, ami bids fair to set a standard which will not easily bo surpassed. One and all are jubilant over tho success which is attending tho venture. and the management states that it will keep tho public duly notilied of daily progress. STATE OF THE POLL MISS PALMER IN THE LEAD. Tho following.is the order of candidates for tho Queen of tho Carnival on tho votes received and counted up till last evening:— ' 1. Miss A. M. Palmer (Civil Service). '2. Dr. Platts-Mills (Tramways). 3. Nurse Everitt (Combined Sports Clubs). 4. Miss Teresa M'Enroe (West Coasters' Association). 6. Miss Low (Combined Drapers). 6. Miss li. Doughty (Commercial Travellers' and Central Clubs). 7. Mrs. Algar Williams (St. John's Ambulancc). 8. Mrs. S. Hempton (Te Aro Residents). 9. Mrs. S. H. Smith (Oversea Club). 10. Miss llosengrave (Trades and Labour Council). 11. Miss Jessie Lewis (Young Boys' Society). 12. Mrs. M'Yicar (Highland Society). 13. Miss M'Cormack (,'i'rentham Camp). 14. Miss M. Senior (Hutt and Petone Kesideuts). 15. Miss M'Kegg (Majiawatu Hesideuts).