THE SOLDIERS 'QUEEN'

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2495, 23 June 1915, Page 4

THE SOLDIERS 'QUEEN'

SUPPORT IN WAIRARAPA

A STRENUOUS TOUR A strenuous tour of the WairaTapa district i n aid of the candidature of Miss Doris M'Cormack, the soldiers' "queen" in the Carnival election, was made by a party which left Wellington on Monday morning. This party included Miss Batten, Hiss Petrie, Miss liita M'Gee, Mr. Hamilton Hodges, Mr. David M'Laren, Lieut. E. H. Nimmo, and the Kilbirnie Senior Cadets Drum Band, and a squad of bayonet-fighters from the camp. The progress of the party through the district was a continuous triumph. On their arrival at Masterton at noon on Monday, they were met at the station by the Masterton School Cadets. In the afternoon they arranged a procession through the streets, which created much interest, and among the people who thronged the streets some =£15 was collected. In tho evening there was a big parade, arranged by Lieut. Nimmo, in conjunction with the local Defence authorities. In this parade the _17th "Regiment, with their band, the Senior Cadets, with the Kilbirnie- Drum Band, tho National Reserve, and tho Masterton Pipe Band toot part. The event of the day from the entertainment and money-raising point of view was a concert, and—still more important —the sale of a flag. The doors of the hall were opened at 7 p.m.. and within 20 minutes it was crowded. Hundreds could not bo admitted. The entertainment was provided partly by the visiting party, and partly by local talent. The Trentham boys gave an interesting demonstration of bavonet-fighting. The flag, presented by Mrs. Strang, of Wairaraua, was auctioned by Mr. Evans, and tho handsome sum of -£1142 was realised by the sale. 1 few other articles which were also auctioned brought the total up to over £1200. Yesterday the touring paTty left in the morning for Carterton, accompanied by their "Queen" (Miss Dons M'Cormack) and Mr. G. E. Sykes, M.P. They made a demonstration in Carterton, and were entertained at lunch there. In six motor-cars they went on to Grey-' town, they were given a very cordial reception by the Mayor and the people of the town. The school children were paraded, and the flag recently auctioned for some .58000, and finally purchased by Sir Walter Buchanan, was flown for tho first time from the Town Hall. Prom Greytown the party sped by motor to Featherston, where they gavo another demonstration in the streets and in tho Town Hall. They had just timo to catch tho train for Wellington, arriving hero at 7 p.m. The Drum Band went straight from the station to a restaurant for a meal, which they needed sadly after tho strenuous day, but the boys had scarcely sat down w'Hen they iwre asked at ten minutes' notice to head a procession, organised by the Sports Committee, through the City streets. The band marched with tho procession to U Shed as requested. The band will fall in again shortly after 8 a.m. to-day to set out oil another strenuous trip to Palmerston. This band has by its own effort been the means of raising hundreds of pounds for the fund. One result of their tour to the Wairarapa, it is stated, has been that the Wairarapa people 'have deoided to accept the military candidate as their "Queen." Another result was an assurance that the gift of land, worth .84000, of which mention has already been made, will bo secured for the benefit of the Soldiers' candidate, and that the money will be ready in time to allow of the votes it represents being polled for Miss M'Cormack.