CARNIVAL BAZAAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2488, 15 June 1915, Page 3

CARNIVAL BAZAAR

A BRILLIANT FEAST OF COLOUR AT THE TOWN HALL, WELLINGTON STILL IN GIVING' MOOD. Never can it be said again tEat the people of Wellington do not possess tho carnival spirit. In tho present case that spirit has leapt into life at thu thunder of the cannon in far away Dardanelles. Funds will sooner or lator be needed to meet the just claims of those suffering by the wav, and tho New Zealand Patriotic Society has sounded the tocsin, whose clear note has gone straight to the heart of the people. The society commenced an organised assault oil tho public's pocket on June 3, and never in the history of the City has there been such a remarkable response, As attraction after attraction was announced there were those who ventured tho opinion that they might bo going a little too far, but with the electrical "Queen" Carnival contest to spur on the various committees to superlative efforts, aided by a people only too willing to give and give again, the executive has adhered unswervingly to its programme with nothing but successes to mark its course. Last evening the society launched a big bazaar at the Town Hell, which is tu bo the chief means of raising money during the current week of the month's Carnival, and to judge by the success made last evening the civic hall is likoly to bo tho favoured rendezvous for all classes during the next few days. The hall, which at 8 a.m. yesterday was quite barren, had in ten hours completely lost its sedate character and form. Instead of a regiment of Austrian chairs and a clear view to the lofty. ceiling, the place had been transformed as though by magic into tho gayest and most daintily-decorated bnzaars known to the Wellington public. Harmonious Colour Scheme. Mr. E. T. Doddrell, who had sole charge of the decorations, is deserving of all praise for the nice taste ho bag displayed m his colour schemes, and the general harmony of design which marks the bazaar. As a general thing the frontal decoration of each stall has been left to the heterogenous taste of the stallholders themselves, with the result that there have been fierce colour clashes and unharmoni,ous contrasts ut design to Jar the delicate susceptibilities of the artistic. Mr. Doddrell has avoided all that. _ The facade of every stall is panelled horizontally in .canary-coloured cloth, against which hang festoons of white butter muslin, and the stalls in the gallery—there are stalls all round both levels—the samo scheme is adoplled, with the difference that the background is pale green. The contents of the stalls, gay with the candidates' colours, the many strings of buntiug 1 that hide the ceiling, the gay dresses of the attendants, and the vari-coloured lights provide a riot of colour aad morement that cannot but exhilarate the senses. Some of the Attractions, Tho central feature in the hall is the big Japanese pagoda, which figured s> prominently in the big procession, and h now doing further service as a softdrink stall. Co-equal in prominence is the magic fish pond, arched by a bridge lit with red, white, and blue electric lights. Over this bridge all fishers must pass, and the cost is one shilling for the trip. Little fake fish having a loop of Wlro Instead of an upper fin float on a surface of mirror-glass, and he who would fish is handed a rod on the bridge with which he has to play and land his fish. Each one is numbered; and those who land a fish bearing a number corresponding to those that have been arranged by a secret committee beforehand gets a prize. No skill is required—only the essential "bob!" All the presents have been donated, so. that the pond yields clear profit for the .wounded soldiers. The Beautiful Stalls. Whait the stalls do contain would perhaps be a more difficult task than essaying what they cannot produce; One would imagine that sweets were the staff of life, to judge of the number of stalls and itinerant vendors devoted to such oonfections. After noting half a dozen of such it was quite a relief to turn to a homely stall that boasted some nice cold roast fowls, sliced ham, pickled onions and red cabbage, and some very honestlooking preserves, "like mother makes." j Cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, perfumed cachous, and all the scents oi Arabia were to be found for the seeking. Fancy goods are there in profusion—jewellery, china, toys, dolls, a wonderful doll stall — all contribute to the gaiety of nations. One stall is devoted to brown paper parcels—"you pays your money and you takes your choice/' .Here is the element that none of us holds in contempt—chance!' You may get half-a-crowa's worth for sixpence, or sixpenn'orth for half-a-crown. "Have a go for our Tommies' soke, and pay! pay! pay!" The Italian Stall. Our latest ally, Italy, has a stall, tended by maids who say "Buon notte" just as prettily as tho English girls next door say, "Good evening!' Besides the flash of the red, white, and green is so comforting. For the bookworm there aT« books, for the philatelist a rare collection of stamps, and home-made everything testified to .the liberality of household queens. Add to this the flash of five hundred pretty girls in fancy costumes —soldiers, sailors, pierrots, .bon-bons, Indians, contadini, columbines, nurses, Dutchies, viviendieres, and sports girls— all jumbled together in the confined space of the Town Hail, and tho Carnival Bazaar is revealed in all its iridesent motley. . Opening of the Bazaar. The bazaar was formally declared open by Mr. H. G. Hill (chairman of the Patriotic Society) who, speaking through a babel of chatter, said that he was proud of the success that had attended the society's efforts so far, and congratulated Mr. Boddrell and the Hall Committee for the happy manner in yhich they had transformed the hall. At 8 that morning there was not a stick or a bit of bunting flying—what they had done since was simply magnificent. (Applause.) They could not but recognise that there were those who, metaphorically, had stood on the footpaths and threw bricks at them, but as long as they were getting the business they could throw the bricks. The success achieved generally had exceeded the anticipations of the most optimistic, which was all good as it all went into the coffers for our wounded soldiers. (.Applause.) Mr. Hill, in opening the bazaar, asked that during the performances on the stage that the stall-assistants would desist from selling, and that as little noise be made as possible. A Dance Recital. During the evening Miss Beore's dancing pupils gave an exhibition of fancy dancing. One tiny mite in particular gave especial pleasure. She was the only one with a sense of rhythm, and she danced for the best of all reasons—because her heart was iight, and the spirit of tho dance is in her. The baby's face, as she prances in strict time, is alivo with expression, and her every movement is just right, because it could not bo otherwise with her. The music was supplied by Mrs. Chapman, Miss Beere, and the Civ Company's Orchestra, which also contributed a number of selections during the evening under Conductor Cummlngs. The Carnival will continue for the rest of tiie week. Mr. John O'Keefe, of Tnita, has donated a thoroughbred hunter, named Loch Erin, to the West Coasters' Association candidate to bo disposed of by Tafflo. The Wellington Orph.ins'.G'lub is giving a special concert to-morrow evening in the Concert Chamber, in aid of the Carnival Wounded Soldiers' Fund. An excellent programme has been drawn up. At Wanganui on Saturday an enlarged photograph ol the Wellington workers of the Commercial Travtllnrs' Association and their Queen candidate was submitted for salo by auction and realised the turn of -£51 15a,

CARNIVAL QUEEN ELECTION. The results of yesterday's voting foi .Queen of the Carnival brought about several changes'. Jliss Senior is still at , the top, Miss M'Kegg, who was recently k third, is now in the fourth position, and Miss K. Doughty takes third place. The positions are as under.— Miss A. M. Senior (No. 14), Hutt Valley 1 Miss Low (No. 2), Combined Drapers 2 Miss K. Doughty (No. 8), Commercial Travellers .1 Miss M'Kcgg (No. 11), Manawatu ... 1 Miss Doris M'Cormaek (No. 15), Tren-t-haul Boys 5 .Miss A. M. Palmer (No. 13), Public Service G MiV. Algiir Williams (No. 1), St. John Ambulance : 1 Miss M'Enroe (No. 7), West Coasters 8 Dr. Platts-Mills (No. 10), Tramwav ' Boys 9 Nurse Kveritt (No. 9), Combined 1 Sports 10 ' Miss Jessie Lewis (No. 4), Young Boys' Soeietv 11 \ Airs. IV. n. Smith (No. 3), Overseas' : Club 12 Mia* M. E. Uosoingrave (No. 12), ' 'JJrndes and Labour 13 1 Mrs. S. ITeinpton (No. 5), Te Aro 1 Residents 14 ■ Mr#. A. M'Vicnr (No. 6), Highland > Society 15 ; THE SECRECY OF THE BALLOT. i t'uncurinna lie election oi tue Carnival i Queen. Uiu unairman ot tne Patriotic , bociui.v wishes lu suuo that the returning oiucer was Air. U. J. Colley, and he ■ was the oihy ono who would have aui knowledge whatever of the number of : voles pulled individually or collectively i until ho made tho linal announcement ; after tho close of the poll on June 26. , The voting is being carried on with abso- ; lute secrecy, and the other members of I the executive knew no mure than the : general public regarding the relative posi- ; tions of the candidates from day to day . as advised in tho public Press. ; A MAYORAL CERTIFICATE. It was locuntiy arranged that an) i moneys received oy tue iua.yor on behalf i oi any special cuuUidaie in tne (Jueea conr test ouuuiil be paid into an account at a bank, and mat a certificate indicating cue amount uud tne candidate to whom it is to be credited should be forwarded 1 on to tho treasurer of the New Zealand Patriotic Society. The first of these certificates was lorwarded yesterday, being one for ±'500, paid to Miss Senior's credit by Mr. Eric liiddiford. The form of tno certificate ruus — "I hereby certify that the undermentioned amount has been received by me, and is to be credited to the Queen candidates indicated below. These amounts have been deposited by me with tho Union Bank of Australia, Ltd., to the account of tne New Zealand Wounded Soldiers', Sailors', and Dependents' Fund, Wellington branch.—(Signed) J. P. Luke, Mayor." Mr. James M'lntosh, treasurer of the Patriotic Society, explained yesterday the method by which he accounts for all moneys forwarded to him by "Queen" committees. He has a book of forms made out in triplicate, on which each amount is entered and duly credited. The original form is forwarded to the secretary of the committee concerned, the duplicate is handed to the returning officer (Mr. W. J. Colley) in order that the votes the sum represents shall be properly registered, and the triplicate form js retained by the . treasurer as his voucher. BARRY LUPINO IN A NEW ROLE. Barry Lupino, the popular comedian of the "Cinderella" Pantomime Company, was responsible for the assemblage of a huge crowd which blocked the side-walk and spread out fan-like on to. Lambton Quay and Brandoii Street, outside Kirkcaldie and Stains's premises yesterday afternoon. If it were for any other than patriotic reasons 6omeono would have been prosecuted, but it, was Barry Lupino and the carnival that were responsible so that nothing mattered. The agile comedian had elected to act tho role of window-dresser and it is safe to say that "Kirk's" window was never dressed in so original a style as yesterday. Mr. Lupino appeared in a suit of denims that would havo fitted' a six-footer, and very quickly showed that his ideas of window-dressing were entirely opposite to the usual slow-going methods. He threw costumes at hooks that were not there, became wildly entangled in a mile or so of pink flouncing, and having freed himself of this flummery, proceeded to show the ladies how to aTess when in a hurry, topping off an elaborate toilet by using an enormous lamp-shade as a hat. Then he became mixed up .comically with a couple of hinged trestles which lie intended using as the foundation of a table and having got out of that fix, proceeded to dress a dummy bust a la mode, labelling his effort "cheap at 35 guineas." His manner of displaying shirts and blouses was to paste them on to the window, with reckless disregard to the mess he was making. It was all foolery, but the crowd of spectators, and a host of children enjoyed the fun consumedly. Zest was added to the display by a comical donkey with a human interior, which as- . sisted the four police constables in • attendance to keep the crowd back. In the meantime a number of girls were busy amongst the crowd' selling "a house at Kelburn for 55," with great energy and inexhaustible'resource. RAFFLING AT THE BAZAAR. In the matter of the drawing of the raffles held in connection with the Patriotic Society's Carnival at the Town Hall, the jiublic is to be amply protected. The society have aoceptea a proposal from a group of Government officials connected with the Land and Survey Department to take in hand the drawing of the raffles nightly in view of the publio on the platform in the Town Hall, and for the winners to be published in the several daily newspapers on the day succeeding such drawings. This arrangement should satisfy the public that all will be fair and above board in this department of the society's activities. PROFESSOR CARDSTON'S TERMS. Some misstatements have been circulated with regard to the engagement i of Professor Cardston. "It was reported to me yesterday," 6aid the chairman (Mr. i H. G. Hill), "by a well-known business man that lie had been informed that the . Professor was to receive 10 per cent, of the total takings of the Carnival. It is regrettable that the persons responsible I for the circulation ot this story should , not have ascertained the exact position i from the society's officers or myself. I i wish to assure the publio that such a i statement is absolutely contrary to fact. [ 1 think it will be generally recognised that the necessary arrangements entered into are private, but I will be quite prepared to supply any authorised person with the exact terms of Professor Cardston's engagement with the society. i wish further to assure tho public that whether the Carnival is a success or a failure, or whether we collect .£IOOO or XIOO,OOO it will not make one penny difference to the payment of Professor i Cardston as organiser. I might also add in justice to him that the terms upon which he comes to us have, in the opinion of my executive, revealed a spirit of patriotism that is worthy of emulation. "Regarding the expenses of the Carnival, I think the public will be thoroughly satisfied when the balancc-sheet is issued, that tho expenses have been remarkably low. At the present time the only paid officers in our omploy, excepting Professor Cardston, are two men and two girls, but it is quite possible that we shall require to have additional help in con- > nectinti ivith the correspondence depart- . ment." » MRS. MENARD'S CONCERT. A most successful concert, arranged by Mrs. Menard, was held in tho Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Saturday evening in aid of the Sports bodies' Queen candidate. The hall was well filled. 'The first part of the proceedings consisted of a number of pongs and scones by Mrs. Menard's pupils. Tableaux 1 were of frequent occurrence, and a very 1 pretty "Butterfly" scene was presented by ;i number of little girls. A spceinl word ; of praise must be given lo Verona Nash | for her performance as "The old woman ■ • who lived in a shoe." and Ida Pear, who . by singing a song brought a shower of pennies On to Ihe stage from the nmlienre. Oilier performers were:—Mr. <)Vr!l FTm>I nrd. Miss .lanie Pntrie. Mrs. Mitchell. Mr. ? O'Connor. Airs. Hopkins. a n<l Mr. Frank i Pieot. Miss Eileen Grant plaverl the L vicconminimonts. During the interval i hnnrhM of flwrpr* W nuerioKcd, and *.ha children sold buttonholes,

THE MOCK COURT. ir The uncivil session <>1 Iliu Carnival it Coui't of Inexpensive J usticc t'ljs cuut tinued in Iho vicinity ol Chow's Liuio y last oveiting. His "Honour" Mi', ".lusd tico" FiUgibbuu presiiicil. There was it .0 long list of cases set down lor lienriiiK, but the Court jjol through tUu business with commendable expedition. . One well-known merchant was charged o with trading with the enemy —to wit, brushing Jlis hair with a brush made in 3 Germany. Ho pleaded guilty, and es--4 caped with a fine of two guineas. Consternation in the Court wan caused 5 b.v Hie hostile attitude ui one ol the prisoners, who could not even be quieteng ed by the Judge's threat to tell the public what he thought of him. 1/ines lor in--7 teiTiiption were useless, but when prisg oner asked His Honour's opinion on the weight of a certain pumpkin' he was 9 somewhat chastened by bein;; lined .CI Is. for the opinion. He asked leave to np--0 peal, and this wns granted, on condition that ,£SO was deposited. 1 Removing his wig, and donning a sou'wester, "His Honour" continued his 2 Jeffreys-like careei. A defendant, who wits called a "perverter of the truth" for 3 admitting the allegation against hiin, complained that there was a lamentable 4 lack of wisdom to be heard in the Court. "It is 'out of the mouths of babes,'" 5 quoted "His Honour," "that wisdom coin os.' "Thafs where we are getting it, I think," retorted the accusrq. The laugh was on the "Judge," who retaliated by increasing the lint-. Thus the Court busied itself all tho evening, a large crowd engaging in tho fun. ENTERTAINMENT IN CONCERT CHAMBER. A concert Inlaid of the Wounded Sol- ■ diers.' Fund was held in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last evening. The audience was not large, owing to y Mimerous counter-attractions. A very entertaining programme, arranged by Mrs. M'Gee, was staged. The items wore:— Song .Miss Marjorie Jones; recitation, Miss Jane Petrie; violin and pianoforte , duet, Miss Dodds and Mr. Walker; elec- ( trie clubs, Miss Stairmand; hornpipe, r Air. and Miss Howell; recitation, "Tho a Day," ilr. Claude Smith; dance, Misses g Marjorie Wiggs, Rita M'Gee, and Zilda j Bailey; hornpipe, Miss Jean Jellio; diai logue, "Much Ado Abouit Nothing," Miss Rita M'Ciee and Mr. .Williams: Highf land dances, Misses Jean Jellie, Alice Campbell, Roma Bitossi; ragtime turn, 5 Mr. O'Neill; song, Prof. Cardston; "Hlie a Great Appeal," Miss Itita M'Ciee. '-Ih® accompanist was Miss Rose Dodds, and the - piper, Mr. Donald Young. !: MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. 8 Mr. J. Lewis, general secretary of the J Patriotic Society, lias written to tlie police stating that it is the desire of tlie ■ executive that the police should institute !; proceedings in every case where collections are being made iu boxes whicn 9 do not bear the seal of the society. ! Last week the Kaumati Syudicate_ pre- ,} sented a sunny seaside section containing half an acre on Scarborough Beach, near 8 Paraparaumu, to each of the following Rat--1 riotic Committees:—Manawatu, Civil Ser--0 vice, Tramway, and the syndicate has " been informed that the Manawatu Pat- " riotio Committee have sold over J250 in r tickets for their section. 9 ■ There was a large attendance of the public at the Chamber of Commerce yes--1 terday afternoon, when some of the seats 8 for the forthcoming monster Maori entertainment, under the auspices of the Commercial Travellers' Club, wore sold by auction by Mr. A. Jacobs. One hundred f seats in the bodj of the hall realised the /urn of .£142. The proceedings were unl der the patronage of Mrs. W. J?. Massey. ]£ With reference to recent correspondence 3 regarding the cost of costumes for the . various Queens, tho Commercial Travelj lers desire to intimate that all such ex--3 penßes in connection with their candidate a are being paid for privately, and do not . come out of funds subscribed.,