CARNIVAL QUEEN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2495, 23 June 1915, Page 2

CARNIVAL QUEEN

CONCERTS AND SHOWS A BUSY TIME YESTERDAY THE CORONATION CEREMONY. Had aD.y casual visitor strolled into the Town Hall at about half-past four yesterday afternoon ho would probably have been concerned in ascertaining what particular form of madness had been visited upon tho people there. Slowly and solemnly, sedate ladies, with long streamers of white calico flowing from their shoulders, and upheld from the tiled corridor by duos of little girls, passed silently and smilelessly, round tlio main corridor.' The voice of the Carnival was hushed; there was no girlish laughter; no flitting forms—just a slow march of fair women and delightful children pacing seriously and regularly round the cold, echoing corridors, and into the Town Hall, lit with the faint half-lights of a dying mid-winter's day. "It will be lovely!" at length spoke a lady spectator, as though coming out of a trance. "What's all the trouble, anyhow?" asked .a brusque thick-set man with a clipped moustache. "Oh," returned the young lady, "this is a rehearsal of the Coronation ceremony for Monday nest." It is understood that Professor Cardston has based the ceremony on the procedure followed in a real Coronation, omitting only tho religious part of the ceremony. Tho function is expected to occupy fully an hour and a half. After the crowning of the Queen, and tha reading of her address from tho throne, there will be the interesting ceremony in connection with the conferring of knighthoods oil several of Wellington's leadinc citizens. It has now been decided not to sell the seats by auction, but to throw open the box plan to-mor-row morning for the three night performancos of the ceremony. In addition to these wore will be two matinees for the school children, at one of which provision is to be made for the presence of the inmates of the Ohiro Home and Home for the Aged Needy. The matinee performances will be given on Tuesday and Saturday afternoons of next week. DECLARING THE POLL. The actual figures in connection with the poll for the "Queen" candidate are not to be posted at the Patriotic Society's auction depot (in tho Windsor Hotel Building), but as the count proceeds the position of the candidates on the list will be shown between midday mid 8 p.m. on Saturday, but thereafter no announcement will be made to the public until tho result is declared by the chairman (Mr. H. G. Hill) at tho Town Hall, at the conclusion of the City Organist's recital tho same evening. A representative from each "Qu4en" candidate's committee, and one from each of tho three daily papers, ars being invited to be present during the final count, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.. but they will be asked not to divulge the namo of the winner until tho announcement is officially made in the Town Hall. IMPORTANT CONFERENCE

After a oonsuliation with tlie Hon. J. G. W. Aitken (president) a,ud Mr. H. G. Hill (chairman of tie local Patriotic Society), the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) has decided to call a conference of all Mayors, chairmen of local bodies, and heads of Patriotio Committees in the Wellington Provincial District, to be held at tie Town liall on Friday week. It is now being recognised as urgent that trustees should be appointed and an organisation arranged for the administration of tlie money subscribed to the Wounded Soldiers, Sailors, and Dependents 1 Fund, as tlie first big batch of wounded (273) are due here in a week or so by tho Willochra. The conference wishes to know exactly what the Government propose to do regarding these men, in order to shape their own actions. It will also havo to coins to an understanding with subscribers to the National Fund, if it is found impracticable to establish such a fund. There will also havo to be some understanding made between provincial committees to prevent anything in tlio nature of overlapping. The public are prepared to give and continue giving to this fund, but will s<;on grow cold if the arrangements made do not safeguard tlio fund from exploitation. COMBINED SPORTS GYMKHANA. The great sports gymkhana, in aid of tlie Queen candidature of Nurse Everitt, opened in tlm Harbour Board U shea lust night, when there was a good muster of the public. The opening ceremony was performed by the Mayor (Mr. J, I'. Luke), who ill a short address hoped that Nurse Everitt would gain great assistance from the effort of tho sports bodies. In selecting Nurse Everitt they had selected olio of tho most popular and highly respected women ill Wellington, deferring to the great war, Sir. Luko said that we in New Zealand were only now beginning to feel the responsibility of being associated with such a gigantic struggle, but they were assured that throughout tho Empire everyone would do liis or her utmost to see that England came out on top. Those who were donating and assisting in'tho raising of a fund to assist the wounded soldiers had to be thanked. The fund had to be a national one, for it wa-s not for this month or this year, but it would bo many years beforo the fund could be exhausted. Now Zealanders would send their last man to take part in tho struggle before they would lot the Empire fall, and if he could be of any use 'he would go himself. (Applause.) Dr. Nownian, M.P., also spoke, and referred to the fact that some people criticised the sports bodies for keeping on, but he said that there was no other class of young men in the community who had responded so largely and so nobly to the call to arms as their sports people. Football club after football club had to suspend many of their teams owing to ithc fact that men had gone to the front, and! if the war kept on for anotlior year there would hardly be a footballer left in New Zealand." Some, like himself, could not go to the front, but they could join tho "money brigade," and help rako in money to Bssist the cause. It should not occur again, as it had in the past, that maimed soldiers should come back and he left to beg for their support. (Applause.) Whatever they did they must see they did the right thing by the dependents of those killed and for t'hoso who came back maimed. (Applause.) Nurse Everitt was then introduced, and those present invited to take their part in the gymkhana. Innumerable side-show attractions were provided, such as football kicking competitions, j "I lock the Kaiser," "Zeppelin bombing," "Aunt Sally," etc., and these wore freely patronised. Stalls were conducted as follows •.-•Ten rooms, under tho charge of Nurse Everitt and assistants; coli'ee and biscuit stall, Mesdamos Cooper and Barber and assistants; harriers' stall, Sir. P. Wilton and assistants; and ladies' hockey stall, Miss Tucker and assistants. Mr. Moore's orchestra provided an excellent musical programme; Professor Cardston's Pierrots gave 3 performance; and JJoodio and Hanson (late Dovant Co.) provided a variety turn. The Cadets' Drum and Bugle Band headed a procession round the"town, and gave an exhibition. This evening the. gjuikhatti- will lm imtiin onaiv. JY.bsft Juu ami frwo will be the

ordor. A new programme irill bo provided.

MEETINC OF EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the executive was held last night to arrange details for the coronation ceremony. This ceremony is to bo performed five timos in all. The first occasion will bo on Monday night next. Therc_will be a special children's matinee 011 Tuesday afternoon, at which the only adults admitted will be school teachcrs. There will be an evening performance on Tuesday also, and a matinee and an evening j show 011 the Saturday following. On Monday night the prices for a limited number of seats will be 10s. 6d., and the other prices will be us., 35., and 2s. For all the other shows the prices will be os., 35., and 25., except at the children's matinee, to which children will be admitted for fid., and school teachers for Is. All the performances will be in the Town Hall. At cho meeting last night Mr. D. M'Laron mentioned that he had again been asked whether Professor Cardston was engaged by the society on a percentage basis, and the statement was emphatically contradicted by all present. Requests that Professor Cardston should bo allowed to go to .Palinerstou and Foi'ding to assist in. carnival efforts there wero declined. The treasurer announced that tlio funds in his hands amounted to £12,000, and this took no account of moneys paid to the Mayor. The matinee given , by the Williamson Company had realised about £350. The secretary reported that tho peoplo of Taihape had decided to hold a Carnival, in conjunction with tho Wellington Carnival, and to pay the proceeds into the Wellington province fund. The treasurer announced also that unless tho money in payment for books of voting tickets were in his hands by Friday at 5 p.m., the votes which tho money duo represented would not bo credited at the closing of the poll on Saturday to tho candidate on whose behalf they were sold. Tho secretary of the Combined Drapers' Committee states, for the benefit of those persons wishing to purchase tickets in the Kolburn villa rafle, that as the number of tickets (10,000) originally printed have been sold, no further tickets in the Jvelbiirn villa raffle, that the demand for tickets, £200 odd wero returned to tho country yesterday. CALEDONIAN CONGERT. An enjoyable Caledonian concert was given in the Grand Opera House last I lugnt in support of tho candidature of Carnival Quocn candidate No. 6 (Mrs. A. M'Yicar). Tile audience was moat enthusiastic, and all tho items given were well received. Tho programme iiicludcd songs, Highland dances, recitations, and instrumental items. Tho Wellington Pipe Baud opened with a number of selections of a Higland flavour. The following contributed to tho remainder of the programme:— Songs, Messrs. Hamilton Hodges, Hay, T. Newton, and Ernest Luks; humourous duet, Miss Lonsdale and Mr. Ernest Luks; and recitations, Misses Bou-t-oil and Daisy M'Lellan. Mrs. Kennedy received a great reception in her vocal numbers, wiiilo tho popular Miss Daisy M'Lellan was heartily applauded for her recitations, "Cuddle Doon" and "Ma First Bawbee." Tho feature of the programme was tho Highland dances given by a number of nimble-footed lassies, who danced their way into favour with such Scotch dances as "The lteel o' Tulloch" and "The Sword DaJice." Miss Teychenno was the accompanist for tho evening, while Mr. J. M'Lellan was stage manager, CHORAL CLUB'S CONCERT. Another concert in aid of the Carnival funds .was given in the Concert Chamber last night by the Wellington Amateur Choral Club, assisted by other well-known artists. Tho programme included songs and choruses, i recitations, and dances. The pio- ] gramme was an excellent one throughout, and encores wero frequent. The performers wero the Choral Club Chorus, Miss Irene Fairclough, Miss Violet Mueller, Mrs. Stark, Miss Nellie Castle, Miss E. Harper, Miss Betty Purdom, Miss Halliburton, Miss Molly Madden, Miss Z. Baillie, Miss Rita M'Uee, and Miss Doris Symes, Mr. J. F. Bryant, Mr. J. Culford Bell, Mr. Stark, Mr. L. C. Travel's, and Mr. C. li. Clilverwell. SPECTACULAR CONCERT. Two hundred and fifty school children, trained by the Misses Holm (2), are patriotic entertainment in tlio large Town Hall on Thursday evening in aid of tho Wounded Soldiers' Fuud. Tlio entertainment will consist of a number of striking tableaux, representing Great Britain and her Allies, the following countries being represented: —England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Franco. Sorvia, Russia, Belgium, Italy, Japan, Australia, India, Canada, and New Zealand. The children will be in the various national costumes. In addition to the tableaux, some very lino patriotic choruses will be sung by tlio children, and solos will bo given by Mr. Clarkson, "Rule Britannia," and Mastor Rodney Pankhuret. The second part of the programme will consist of items by the prize-winners at the recent musical and elocutionary competitions, and by special request, Mr. Edgar Wallace, late pupil of Sir Herbert Tree, will recite "Lasca." Box plan for the concert is now open at the Bristol Piano Co. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Mr. J. Lewis, secretary of the Patriotic Society, reported yosteiday that lie 'had received the scrip representing Mr. J. M'Master's £4000 interest in a Waikato land syndicate, which interest is to bo realised for tho Wounded Soldiers' and Sailors' Fund. All accounts against the AVest Coast--ers' Queen of the Carnival Committee must be rendered in detail to-day to the secretary, Palais d'Allies, Lambton Quay. A special meeting of all Dr. PlattsMills's Committees and Snb-Conunittees will be held at the Y.M.C.A. rooms this evening at 7.30 o'clock. All 'members and workers aro asked to be present. All raffles and art unions promoted by the West Coasters' Carnival Committee will be drawu at the Palais d'Allies on Monday next at 8 p.m., and tho public aro invited to be present. This evening in tho Concert Chamber the membors of the "Charley's Aunt" Club, assisted by several of the clever- little dance pupils of Miss Saunders (late of Christcluirch) aro giving an entertainment in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. The "Charley's Aunt" Club number among its members many loading amateur performers, and 1 an excellent, programme has been drawn up. Among tfioso taking part will be:—Messrs. K. S. Allwright, L. Kxton, Norman Aitken, \\. W. Crawford, ft. F. Bishop, Bentley Russell, George Holloway, —. Houston, Kevin Dillon, Miss Marie Fix, and Miss Theluia Aitken. The box plan is now open at the Bristol Piano Company. Owing to the great success of Miss Rnbv M'Donald's concert, given recently in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund, slie has been pnn'«>Jed upon to repeat a similar programme at the Grand Opera House on Friday evening next in aid of the same fund. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool has notified

■her intention of being present, and a big booking is anticipated. Miss M'Doilald will bo assisted by Mr. Hamilton llodges, Misses M'Enroe, A. Sogrief, R. Segrief, Simpson, Ilineman, Betty Purdom, Mr. Culford 8011, and Mr. C. W. Kerr. Mr. Norman Collio, Mus. Bac., will give organ recitals at the two concerts to be given by the school children in the Town Hall cn July 1 and 2, and not on Saturday next, as previously announced. There is on vio<v at tho Wellington Gas Company's showroom, Courtenay Place, a fine specimen of metal workers' handicraft, in tho form of a fireplace fender or curb. The main body is of heavy brass, antique coppered, and at tho angles stand cast brass lions. At intervals, along tho sides, models of sixpounder shells are placed. In tho front centre appears a line metal plaque, antique silvered, representing a section of Ij Battery in action at the Battle of Mons. Tlio casting was taken from a model executed by Mr. H. Coleman, of Messrs. Foley and Sons, and copied from a picture in one of tho English illustrated papers. For somo tilrto past tlio employees of tlio Wellington Gas Company's workshop at Clvdo Qnav have given their own timo and labour free to the manufacture of this elaborate fender, and also a number of other useful articles, and tho results achiovod relloct great credit upon all connoctcd in their production. The fonder has been presented to St. John's Ambulance Association for disposal to assist- tlio Wounded Soldiers' and Sailors' Fund. The coronation of the Baby Queen is to take place on Saturday, Juno 26, at 3 p.m. Tho ceremony, which promises to bo a most interesting one, will be under the distinguished patronafco of Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool, and Her Excellency has expressed her intention of being present if her other engagements for the afternoon will permit. The Commercial Travellers' Mock Court sits again to-morrow. The Hon. A. L. Herdman has consented to open the Court, and will preside for a time, assisted by four members of Parliament. The whole arrangements will bo undor the care of the Court and polico officials. The largo Town Hall promises to bo well filled to-night for tho "hard-up" dance, in support of tho candidaturo of Nurse Everitt. A feature of the evening will be several concert items, kindly arranged by Sir. H. P. Wood. The concert part will commence at 7.45 p.m., and dancing at 8.30 p.m. A small charge for admission will bo made to the dress circle until 10 p.m. The members of a first-class orchestra have offered their services, and a jolly evening is in store for those vho attend.