THE CARNIVAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2481, 7 June 1915, Page 7

THE CARNIVAL

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL DAY BIG CROWD AT NEWTOWN PARK BRASS BAND CONTEST

"Luoky is no word for it," said one member of the Patriotic Society's Com'mitteo oii Saturday afternoon as tho crowds came streaming into Newtown Park for tho third day's fun at tho Park. The reference was to the society's good fortune in being able to bring off successfully a three days' al fresco Carnival in mid-winter, in Wellington—an achievement that many thought to be impossible—ill Wellington of all places. Wellington has proved itself to be not so shockingly and absorbingly commercial as jealous outsiders would have us believe. Indeed the Carnival, past, present, and to be, has shown what a deep well of sympathy exists in the hearts and minds of all classes in Wellington for the men who are fighting our battles in the Near East, and the well-iounded desire thero is to make adequate provision for those •who fall by the way and for their dependents. 11 Saturday afternoon saw another splendid day's, pleasurable work accomplished. Thursday's brilliant procession was repeated, and enlivened with the same glad enthusiasm and spirit of service as was manifested on the opening day. Once more bevies of the fair resorted to paint and powder to give themselves that touch of the unusual so essential to tho gala spirit. Pierrots and lively piorrettes pranced lightly over the wood-blocks, ■ tinselled motor-cars with seats for five frequently carried threo times that number of collectors. Peter Pan's splendid old pirate ship, with its desperate blood-lapping crew, sent a shudder through the miniature bodies of readers of "The Pirate's Lair," etc., while the now familiar "El 4" submarine and'the gallant old battleship "Now Zealand" were once more in evidence. Tho procession drew a vast crowd to Newtown Park, though as was but natural the number present was not so great as on the holiday (Thursday). There was plenty of entertainment for all tastes, and right up till tea-time things hummed merrily, and the busy cash counters m their gloomy den "far from the madding crowd's (in this case) noble strife" had a lively time keeping pace with the collection boxes. . Brass Band Contest. The event which claimed most attention was the quickstep competition' for brass bands, for which there were five entries. Points were given for military drill and music, the baud to score the highest aggregate points to be declared tjie winner. The adjudicator of the music (Mr. Albert Wade, of Wauganui) was ensconced in a tent in the centre of the ground, and the bands had to march 120 paces, counter-march, and Teturn over the same ground, countermarch, left turn, and march, _ right wheel, and march twice and finish a few yards to windward of the judge's tent. There were five bands in the con- . test. At the last moment the Trentham Band could not obtain permission to come in, and the Petone Municipal Band kindly filled the gap. The military judges were Sergt,-Majors Davis nnd Wickers; Lieut. T. Herd was general supervisor; and Mr. T. H. Coltman was timekeeper. As soon as the contest was over and whilst the points were being totted up, the massed bands played the quickstep, "Good Luck" (Greenwood), under the baton of Mr. Wade, the effect cf snch a big instrumental ensemble being very impressive. The results as announced by Mr. Wade were as follow:— Musio. Military Tl. 1 Mission Band 64 201 268 2 Tramway Band ... 81 178£ 265} 3 sth Regt. Band ... 73 163 i 236 i 4 Watersiders' Band 55 163J 218J 5 Petone Municipal ... 60 146 206 The announcement was received' with general acclamation and for once even the bandsmen appeared to agree that the judges were about right. Calls for cheers for the winners came from the sth Regimental Band, which was followed By cheers for the judge and for the Petone Band, who allowed it to become generally known that they were not in the least downhearted. The Judge's Notes. To the ten thousand people who listened to the contest, the following notes on the musical performance by Mr. Wade will be found of interest:— No. 1 Band (Tramways).—March, "Dawu of Freedom": Not together at start; several broken notes; piano well taken; duet weak in second part, forte better, bass solo fair; trio emphonium ai»d baritone not exactly tuned; cornets creditable. Second time: Several nasty broken notes in cornets—improved later; band has good tone; beginning of the march the minims were not all measured the same length, one solo cornet especially holding longer than rest of the band; duet much better balauced; precision good in bass solo; fair performance, but too many broken notes. . Marks, 81. No. 2 Band (Watersiders'). —March, "Independentia": A very poor start; badly out of tune; many broken notes; tone very tliin, and production not showing good method. Second time: In taking top notes cornets failed, counter melody, for trombones, euphonium, etc., was very ragged; drum (bass) wants bracing up; trio, notes not measured alike by all; in front of tent band got badly astray in bass solo; far too much pushing of notes than of.clean tongue work; band not precise; attack faulty, and tune suffered ljncUy. Sorry to have to say all this, but that is what you gave mo. Marks, 05. No. 3 Band (Mission). —March, '"Freedom of Honour": Fair start, accented notes would bo bettor released in bars 1 and 5. after repeat strain; fairly well balanced band; bass solo too spasmodic. For instance, tho second crochet ill bars 4 and 6 always left like a semi-quaver; much better to sustain: tune very faulty. In front of tent band was very shaky at beginning of mnrcli, especially cornets on first repeat strain; in trio cornets were never together in semi-quaver, runs, and tuning wants ranch attontion, especially in second cornets : precision was not good—got rather hurried towards close; only fair performance of an easy march. Marks, 64. No. 4 Band (Petone Municipal).— March, "Invercargill": Poor start, second bar for cornets very poor: euphonium makes a few faulty notes: upper notes_ badly out of tune; band lacks sustaining power, and balance not good ; marks well observed; trio fair, hut euphonium and baritones still faulty (and very much so), in their intonation ; in front of tent, better start; counter melody was fair, hut inside of band loose and untnneful: trio was a start; no precision bv accompaniment ' in first two bars; bass drum 100 prominent many times: only a fair performance. Attncli and release want a lot of attention. Tono was ll'in. Marks, 60. No. 5 Band (sth Regiment).—March, "Marinion": Fair start; band has one tenor horn far too prominent; tuneful slid smart, tone rather thin ; in bass solo trombones not esnotly toned. Tn front- of tent a good start was made and band now well balanced; one or_

two slight slips by cornets; attack and release very creditable; bass solo was good, except i'or a lew blurs in cornet work; very creditablo performance of an easy march. Marks, 73.

Tho measured parade, 120 paces, was covered by tho bamis with lilio accuracy. Tho winners, tlio Mission Band, actually took the exact number of paces they should have done, so that their pacing was perfect. Both tho Tramways and Watersiders took 121 paces to cover the distance; tile Petone Municipal Band, 125 paces, and tho oth Regiliient Baud, 12G paces. Lieutenant Herd states that as regards this feature the result is rather remarkable ii'» tho worst band was only half a dozen paces out. Fire Brigade Display. As soon as the band contest was over a smart team of fire brigadesmen gave ail exposition of extension ladder work, physical drill, • jumping t'lio horse, etc., and their clean, smart appearance and alert athleticism were subjects of favourable criticism among the vast spectatorato that watched the performance. Harriers' Race. There were 25 starters in the great Carnival Harriers' Race from Newtown Park round the Queen's Drive, and back to the park by the main entrance, and a fino string of "Marathoners" they looked as they sprang away on their lpng journey at the word of the starter. The result was as follows:— Osborne, 3min. 30sec 1 Clapham, jun., sain. 30sec 2 Cummins, 2min. 45sec The winner covered the distance in Somiu. oOsee.; Clapham took 36miu. 30sec., and Cummins, 35min. SOsec. Mr. W. H. Pollock acted as starter and Messrs. W. H. Bennett, Geo. Frost, A. Marryatt, and A. C. Kitto were tho judges. Crand Baby Show. For tho nonce tlie Laughing Gallery became a resort for proud mothers with babies. There were babios of all kinds —giggling, crowing babies, whining babies, babies fair and dark, fat and thin, boys and girls—a wonderful collection, which gave tho judges somo real work to do. The results were as follow:— Babies Under Three Months.—Boys: Hodgson, 1; James Kite, 2. Girls: Atkins, 1; Symonds, 2. From Three to Six Months.—Boys: Cross, 1; Bremer, 2; Rankin, 3. Girls: Edginson, 1; Willis, 2. From Six to Nine Months.—Boys: Wilson, 1; Cameron, 2; Evans, 3. Girls: Jessie Thompson, 1; Mario Goson, 2; Ruby Martin, 3. From Nine to Twelve .Months. —Boys: Brooke-Taylor, 1; Albert Sawtell, 2; James Mackin, 3. Girls: Mary Kitchen, 1; Ivy Askill, 2. Jolliest Baby.—Leon Mac Jones, 1. Best Pair of Twins.—Eric and Lewis Cornell. The adjudicators were Mesdames M'Laren, Wollermann, Johns, and M'Vicar. Messrs. Braid and Cox were the supervisors. Beneath the Night Lights. The night scene was one of gaiety and cheer. The crowd was great, the bands were playing, the ground was brilliantly lit, niggers and clowns and pretty girls were danciim'on the green, tho vendors of everyUiiiig-under-the-sun were more persistent than ever, and altogether the patron public was kept thoroughly alive.. Attractions for everyone wore everywhere, and even had many of the attractions been absent. the crowd would have remained enthusiastic, for it was not fun alone, but fun plus patriotism, that had drawn them there. Good business was reported on all hands, and receivers and sellers both have good reason to he well satisfied with the night operations. Boxing Tournament. The Fund for Wounded N[ew Zealand Soldiers and their dependents should benefit considerably by the boxing tournament being promoted at the Town Hall on Thursday next. Tlio Boxing Association is using every effort to ensure the success of the fixture, and in inducing Tracy to meet Taylor, the Australian, has secured an attraction which should more than pack the hall. Despite his recent retirement, the popular champion has demonstrated in his training that he is able to hold his own as of old, and the Australian will need to be at his best to win. By way of preliminaries, six of the beat amateurs in the district aro being brought together, and excellent contests should be seen. Intending par trons should note that the box plan for stage seats will open at Armit's this morning at 10 o'clock. Sunday Concert. The Town Hall was crowdcd in every corner- last night for the concert in aid of Wounded Soldiers and Sailors, organised by Miss Ruby M'Donald. The entertainment was in every way a pronounced success. The audience was • large and enthusiastic, and every item of the programme was well worthy of their fullest appreciation. Mr. Bern-, ard Pago contributed two numbers, and his splendid art received due recognition. Mr. Hamilton Hodges has never been in better voice. He sang "Arm, Arm. Ye Brave," from r 'Judas Maccabaeus," "The Rosary" (an encore), and "Beloved, It Is Morn." Miss Teresa M'Enroo sang Gounod's "Ave Marie," and in response to a w;ell-merited. recall, the old favourite, "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms." Miss Ruby M'Donald played two violin solos, one with organ accompaniment by Mr. Bernard Page, and scored a distinct triumph in both. Miss Nellie Simpson, flautist, was likewise successful, being recalled insistently. Mr. Culford Bell and Miss Betty Purdom recited the scene from "Hamlet," beginning with the famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy, and continuing with the trying interview between Hamlet and Ophelia. The collection realised £59, and Mr. J. M'Grath announced that Miss M'Donald had nromised to hand over the gross proceeds to the Patriotic Society's Fund. CARNIVAL NOTES. During the afternoon a capital exhibition of lassoo-throwing and spinnin-; was given by Captain WLeod, assfstrr! by Messrs. H. Perkc-r and A. Rowlands and a lady volunteer. An Irish jig competition for a special pri/.o donated by Mr-. Frank M'Parlaiid was among the attractions in the park on Saturday afternoon. The winners wore: Lizzie O'Leary, 1; Jane Jellic, 2; A. Grant, 3. Speaking to a reporter on Saturday the president of the Patriotic Society (Jlr. H. G. Hill) referred to Uls fact that everything possible was being (Tone to protect the public against unauthorised collectors. Over one thousand collecting boxes weie out with tho official seal, and a Union Jack printed in blue 011 them. Ho held that a special Act of Parliament was necessary to give tho police control of street collections. Miss Teresa M'Enroo, the West Coast Queen candidate, has volunteered to assist at concerts to he held at Blenheim on June 17, and I'almerston North on June 30, in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. Owing to the largo amount of coin, much of it in copper, that has |o be counted, it will bo some time I his wolf before the amount taken at- the Carnival is available. Messrs. Stewart, Dawson, and Co. have donated, through the Commercial Travellers' Cluh, £50 worth of trophies for the Art Union. Messrs. F. Cooper, Ltd., have similarly donated £40 worth of pot plants for the benefit of the Fund for Wounded Soldiers and Sailors. The Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Mock Court concluded its sittings «n Saturday Thpr^

was a, crowded attendance ut. ull tho sittings, and the amount rccuivcd for fines uilficted on those who were brought before the "judge" very satisfactory. A number of amusing charges were brought against prominent, citizens. Mr. I'. Macassey was charged with impersonation in representing himself as Crown Solicitor and was substantially lined. Another amusing charge was that brought against a well-known bookmaker, who was charged with being a wool-broker, and that lie was responsible for the rise in tho price <>l wool. Dr. Platts-Mills was charged with being a rival Queen candidate, and with having used her popularity with intent to defeat the designs of the commercials, who desire tho Coronation ol Miss K. Doughty. She was lined, but the fino was ordered to be paid by tho '■Crown Solicitor" and tho amount handed to the secretary of Dr. PluttsMills's Committee for tho furtherance of hor candidature, after which cheers were, called for the doctor. The Trent'ham boys' candidate, Miss M'Conuack, was also before tho "court" and lined, tho amount being paid by the oliicers of tho court ami handed to her secretary. Tho "nidges." Messrs. E. J. Fitzgibbon nucf A. Noivkm, and tho "Crown solicitors," Messrs. M. A. Carr and D. Crab:, as well as the clerk, Mr. T. TurnbnlC deserve great praise for the success ot a highly-amusing and profitable entertainment. On Saturday evening the Trades and Labour Council's Queen (Miss Roseingravo), the "tlello Girl," was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. Tho bouquet was made by Miss Murray. The bouquet was afterwords sold tuid resold several times. The carnival girls who are working for tho ''Hello Girl" desire to acknowledge their gratitude to Messrs. Stanton and Kvnus for the use of that, (inn's niotor-wagou in the processions. His Excolloncy (ho Enrl of Liverpool lias signified his intention of making u patriotic speech at the concert io bo held in the largo Town Hull on Wednesday next, in support' of Dr. PkttsMills' candidature. Viscountess Kolbum has also extended her patroii:ii;o io tho patriotio concert. Carnival supporters are reminded of the dramatic euteruiiuiuotii to bo given on Thursday next in tho Concert. Chamber by Culford 801 l and Betty Piirdom. One of the principal items of tho evonuili will bo tho comedy-drama "Tho Man in the Street." This is described as "the most successful one-act play of the century." Numerous other sketches und dialogues will be given by these artists and their pupils. Last evening a sacred conccrt, promoted by Mr. N. L. Martin, Wellington. was held at tho Empire Theatre, L'etone, in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. Tho building was crowded. The West Coasters and ihoir sympathisers may havo their equal, they declare, but certainly no superiors among their opponents in furthering tlio groat cause of the wounded soldiers. Personal tituo seems to bo transformed to a duty by the ladies' and men's executives. who havo been entrusted with tho directions of those uncountable l'ol- | lowers of No. 7. All sympathisers arc reminded, however, to remember tlio Tipperary song, and apply it io themselves —that they havo a long way to go, yet. The strongest caso on earth may bo lost "by a careless counsel, and although the West- Coasters' executives are vory sanguine, they are, and will bo, at the mercy of their followers. To-night, in the large Town Hall, a great monster West Coast social is being held to supplement the Patriotio Funds. Elsewhere in this issue will be found the programme for Professor Cardston's tango tea iii the Town Hall at 3 o'clock. The girls of the Victoria League will assist with vocal and instrumental items, Miss Putnam's pupils will dance, and Professor Cardston will give ail exposition of the tango dance, of which he is considered to be a master. On Saturday evening "Charles Chapltiin" and the "Wandering Musicians, who are collecting for the Carnival, gave a> charity concert for a blind musician of Wellington. Attention is directed to the programme arranged for the concert to bo given in support of the candidature of Dr. Platts-Mills at tho Town Hall on Wednesday evening. RIVAL MOCK COURTS. (To the Editor.) Sir, —I would like to point out to you a case of what 1 would call "patriotic selfishness." You will remember that the Civil Service Association held a mock court from 7.30 a.m. till 10 p.m. last Saturday, from which some £400 odd was collected. I have since heard that they were "infringing" the Commercial Travellers' "rights" by holding it, and havo had to sinco hand all they collected through that means over to the Travellers' candidate. Is there such a thing as a "right" to any side-show in a patriotio movement like this, and, if so, why were the Civil Service not notified of it before they had collected all day?—l am, etc., FAIR PLAY IS BONNY PLAY. The assumption that the money collected by the Public Servico Association on Saturday last has to be handed over 'to the Commercial Travellers' candidato is not correct. It was, however, the Travellers' who made the first application to tho Patriotic Society for the mock court privilege, having been advised at an early date to do so by their compatriots in Christchurch. Subsequently the tramway men applied for the privilege, but after it was explained to them that the Travellers had "got- jn first" they readily saw that the idea Belonged to the Travellers by right of priority in application. When the Public Service people notified tho Society that they were going to hold a mock court in the streets on Saturday, May 29, the Travellers made no demur, as they were not prepared for action, that day, but thereafter the solo rig Tits of this particularly valuable "side-show" appears to be theirs.