QUEEN CARNIVAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2497, 25 June 1915, Page 9

QUEEN CARNIVAL

NEWS AND NOTES YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS .PRIME MINISTER "FINED." Shortly after the dinner-hour last evening, a number o'f "policemen" from tno Commercial Travellers' Association's mock court in Sydney Street invaded the precincts of tho House and arrested the Prime Minister in the sanctity of '.'jswn office. Mr. Massey was bunfiled into a motor-car and driven to the iialls of "justice," where ho was promptly put in the dock and charged with _ wearing a smiling face, notwithstanding the cares of State affairs." Mr. Massey pleaded "not guilty." \. 'After his record had been placed before the Court he was fined £1 Is. Another threepence was added because he was not. the Minister of Finance at the present crisis, and a further threepence because he could not say how many Treasury bills would be issued. From the dock tlie Prime Minister delivered a speech to a small audience, in tho courso of which he wished the commercial travellers good luck in their enterprise. He then took his seat by the side of the judge on the bench, and witnessed several "trials." Various other members of Parliament wore waylaid by these officers of the law as dispensed hy Judge Fitzgibbon, and according to tho merits of their several cases they were fined, with strict impartiality but Relentless severity. The fines gathered in by tho mock court yesterday totalled £295.

A "SAVAGE" NIGHT E'ON AT THE CONCERT CHAMBER: Advertised as the worst concert of the Carnival series, that given by the Wellington Savage Club at the Concert Chamber proved to be one of the most enjoyable shows that have been presented to the public during the present month. Avoiding the conventional, the Savages struck a bright, genial, and intimate atmosphere to commence with. This was done by means of a mock quarrel between the club's secretary (Mr. J. Dykes) and the custodian of the hall (Mr. T. W. Leslie) about the payment of the rent. This having been satisfactorily adjusted, the curtain rose, and a very excellent little orchestra ■under Mr. D. Kenny revived the melodies of "lolanthe"—a fantasia that lasted a full ten minutes. The opening chorus was "The Merriest Fellows, from "Tho Gondoliers" (soloist-, Mr. A. AV. Newton). Mr. J. M.fl Clark, with fine strength, dignity, and elocutionary skill, recited the famous "Crispian" speech from Shakespeare's "Henry V," and, encored, gave moving expression to the American poem "Jest Plain Dog." A novel item was the sinking of Edward German's song "Big Steamers" (words by Kipling), during which Messrs. G. P. Hanna, W. Macßeth, 31. King, and G. F. Wilson sketched in four separate sections a Dreadnought in action. At this point the Hon. W. F. Masse.y was to have delivered a patriotic speech, but affairs of State intervened. To an orchestral accompaniment. Mr. E. Elliott played "The Rosar.v" as a cornet solo. The second part of the programme consisted of a musical melange in the •'Cafe Palais Mallies," in which talented members of the club appeared in a long list of amusing characters, and kept the fun going merrily for an hour. Mr. D. A. Kenny as the chef was prolific in "comics," Mr. A. W. Xewton, as the cafe manager, never failed to keep his guests up to the mark, and Mr. E. J. Hill, as Buttons, sang "Rule Britannia" with great success. Others who assisted in the glad merrymaking were: Messrs. Xorman Aitken, Kevin Dillon, .Vivian R&ind, V. R. Meredith, W. J. Meredith, Jas. Dykes, F. Twiss, C. A. Hickmott, Murray Thomson, H. Henderson, P. .Williams, Connors, and Sandstein. The Concert Chamber was packed from the stage to the back wall, and two hundred people who had purchased tickets were, by a reciprocal arrangement, allowed to attend the concert that was being held in the large Hall. The Savage Club's effort is one thai would be well worth repeating. THE KELBURN VILLA

WON BY MISS ENID STURDY, LOWER HUTT. AN EXCITING SCENE. The young lady who will wake ur> this morning the richer by a house and land is Miss Enid Sturdy, of Hautana Square, Lower Hutt. The drawing of this raffle, promote by the committee of the Combined Drapers to forward the interest of their Queen Candidate (Miss Low), was the culminating feature of a bright entertainment given in the Grand Opera House last evening. Only those who were present oould appreciate the scene of excitement that prevailed the moment when a tiny tot of five summers named Rosalind" Dillon (whrt was commandeered from the audience) put her little white ann into the great barrel to draw the winning ticket. A certificate, duly read, was presented by Messrs. Sidney Kirkcaldie and 'J'homas Forsyth, testifying that only tho butts_ of tickets sold were contained in the packets of tickets deposited on the table. These were loosened from their bands, separated, and placed in the big ballot-box by the committee of Civil Servants appointed by _ the Patriotic Society.'- This •operation occupied quite a time—time •enough for Mr. Ernest Luks to sing three comic ditties—then the small girl "was lifted on to the table, the barrel was whisked round and round several times. The shop girls, gay in their carnival dresses, surged up behind tho supervising committoo in a fever-heat of oxcitement. Little Rosalind dipped then withdrew her hand with nothing in could not reach the tickets. A big sigh escaped from the breathless audience. Then the barrel was given a kink, and Rosalind dipped again, and this time secured the winning ticket, No. 3915, the other half of which is in the possession of the above-mentioned lady. Tho announcement being made to that effect by Mr. J. R. M'Cormick (representing the committee) there was nothing further to do but sing "God Save the King" and go home. A subsidiary art union connection with the admission tickets was also drawn at 10 o'clock, tho results being as follow First prize, No. 56; sccond, 281 J; third, 1231; fourth, '101; fifth, ■1041; sixth, 3136: seventh 2317. Tho accompanying concert was quite a satisfying affair. The orchestra of the Working Men's Club played a oouplo iof selections. Miss Lonsdale and Mr. Luks amused in the duet "The Boy Who .Stuttered and the Girl Who Lisped"; Mr. L. Exton sang "Come Into the Garden, .Aland," and "Take a I'air of Sparkling Eves," and was associated with Mr. S." R. Allwright in a :luet from "La Boheme" (Puccini), and "My Lady Sleeps." Miss Janie Petrie recited "The Coward," and Mr. Zante Wood contributed a yokel song. Mr. Allwright sang "The Bedouin Love Song," and Miss Barry sang "Soul of Mine. Miss Kate Davis also sang. Hie background of tho stage was occupied b.v all the young ladies from the various drapery houses attired in fancy dross, the ensemble effect, which was strikingly picturesque,.' having been obtained by an ordered arrangement of styles and colours by

H. Routh. Mr. G. Holloway was the accompanist of the evening and also played a pianoforte solo. "SOCCER" SPORTS CALA. Provided tho weather is fine, tho "soccor" sports gala, which was postponed last Saturday, will take place on the Basin Reserve to-morrow afternoon. Arrangements have been made for a monster procession to leave the Government Buildings for the Basin at 2.15 p.m. Sevoral bands have consented to take part, and judging by the entries received tho procession should be ono of the best held during the Carnival. A feature of the show will be the "soccer" players in uniform. An invitation 13 extended to all other Queen candidates to take part. For the evening, attractive programmes have been arranged, including an exhibition of boxing. SPORTS CYMKHANA. The weather was anything, but pleasant last evening, still there was a fair attendance at the combined sports gymkhana in U Shed. The numerous side-shows did very well. An attractive programme had been arranged by Miss Pool. Those taking part were: Misses Egan, Grey, T. M'Gee, J. Bailey, V. Charles, Messrs. O'Brien and Picot. Little Miss B. Menhard scored a decided hit with her dancing. Some splendid selections were rendered by the Fifth Regiment Band. New and attractive items have been arranged for to-niglit, special features being the drawing of the various art unions and a physical exercise display by pupils trained by Mr. T. Tracey. BAZAAR AT THE LOWER HUTT. A bazaar, in aid of tho Wounded Soldiers' Fund, was opened on Wednesday afternoon by the Mayor of Lower Hutfc (Mr. H. Baldwin) at the Hutt Lyceum, and was concluded last evening with a danoe. It is anticipated that a fair amount will be handed over to the fund as a result. Misses Cross, Connelly, Skinner, Upton, and Mr. Petherick contributed items to the programme, and the stall-holders were:—Sweet stall, Miss Ivy Skinner and Miss King; fancy stall, Mrs. E. Foothead; doll stall, Mrs. Skinner and Mrs. Cross; baby stall, Mrs. TJpton; vegetable stall, Mr. Skinner; pot plants, Mrs. W. H. Morris: tea rooms, Mesdames G. Skinner and G. Packwood. A committee, of which Miss Ivv Skinner was secretary, was responsible for the success of the function. MISCELLANEOUS. The Tramway Boys are raffling a gold nug"et, valued at £1000, to assist the candidature of their iiominee for the Queen of the Carnival contest. The tickets are os. each, and may be obtained from the Bristol Piano Co. In the Concert Chamber this evening an instrumental recital will be given by Miss Phyllis Hanify (piano). Miss I'rieda Walter (violin), and' Mr. Eric Meier (violin). The jjrogramme will consist of classical items, and those who attend are assured of a musical treat. The box plan is at the Bristol. In addition, to the donations already acknowledged, the Wellington Commercial Travellers have received the following:—Staff of J. B. MacEwan and Co., £0; staff of Levin and Co., £33 10s.; staff of Sargood, Son, and Ewen, £10; staff ai\d principals George, Doughty, and Co., trip to Rotorua. Those who are helping the West Coasters' Queen candidate are specially requested to attend a meeting at the Palais d'Allies, Lambtou Quay, this evening, at 7.30 o'clock. The business to be brought before the meeting is of an important and urgent nature. A special Ballot Committee of the Executive of the New Zealand Patriotic Society will continue to draw all art unions to-morrow afternoon and evening, commencing at 3 p.m., in Messrs. Kirkcaldie and Stains's Tea Rooms (entrance from Johnston Street). The public is specially invited to be present. To-morrow evening the Petone Comedy Club will stage the comedy "Facing the Music," in suDport of Miss Senior's candidature in the Queen Carnival contest. During the evening several articles will be raffled, and the result of the ballot for Queen of the Carnival will be announced. 1 The application of the New Zealand Patriotic Society (Wellington Branch) for permission to use Newtown Park on Saturday,_ July 10 ; has been graated by the City Council.

POLITICAL NOTES GOSSIP OF THE LOBBIES. This afternoon the Governor will read his Speech in the Legislative Council. After this the two Chambers will probably take notice of the deaths of seven ex-members of the Legislature which have occurred during the recess, and then there will be an adjournment. There is an Imprest Supply Bill which must be passed to-day or on Tuesday. If the Opposition members agree to allow it to pass without discussion the Bill may be taken to-day. If not it will be taken on Tuesday. A meeting of the Government Party will be held to-day. A caucus of the Opposition Party was held vesterday. After the meeting Sir Joseph Ward said all the Liberal and all the Labour members had been present at it with the exception of five, wbo had all sent messages or telegrams. YvTiether tbe rumours took theiil origin from the caucus is not ascertainable, but there are rumours that the session may be less brief and peaceful than is generally supposed. _ The writ for the Taumarunui by-elec-tion was returned yesterday before the House met. Mr. W. T. Jennings, the elected member, was entitled to take his seat when the Houso met yesterday, but ho was not in Wellington.