QUEEN CARNIVAL

Evening Star, Issue 23682, 16 September 1940, Page 6

QUEEN CARNIVAL

MISS PRATT'S CENTRAL TOUR The Air Force Queen (Miss Mary Pratt) has concluded her triumphal tour through the Central Otago district. On Friday night last, in company with five maids of honour, she was entertained at a ball at Omakau, where she had an enthusiastic reception. Mr F. J. Donnelly, chairman of the Ball Committee, escorted the queen and her maids in procession to the platform, where they were received by the chairman of the local Patriotic Committee (Mr J. M. Mac Kay), who extended a welcome on behalf of the district. The five countesses made a very effective picture in their winged coronets and Air Force blue shoulder sashes. Mr F. O. Wood, deputy-chair-man of the Dunedin Co-ordinating Committee, made a strong appeal for support, his remarks being briefly supported by Mr A. C. Cameron. At a later stage it was announced that the Air Force Queen funds would benefit to the extent of approximately £6O from the proceeds of the ball. On Saturday morning Miss Pratt and the members of her party visited the Central Otago Clay Pigeon Championship at Lauder, where approximately 100 sportsmen had gathered. At the tea adjournment, Mr A. Brown conveyed the best wishes of all present to Miss Pratt. During the afternoon the party was escorted to the Palmerston Football ground by Dr T. T. Thomas (chairman of the Palmerston Queen Carnival Committee), and the members were given a warm welcome by the crowd. Miss Pratt subsequently started the match between the Dunedin Police and Palmerston by kicking off the ball. THE ARMY QUEEN. Miss Airini Grennell was present at the weekly Town Hall dance on Saturday night to meet a large attendance of her supporters. She was escorted to the stage by a military guard, and was introduced to the dancers and spectators by Mr G. Lane. She made a brief acknowledgment of the warm welcome given her, and then sang ‘ Till the Lights of London Shine Again,’ after which throe Maori girls sang the Marching Song of the Maori Battalion. Later in the evening Mrs Dora Smear ton and Mr Lane, on behalf of the Army Queen Committee, thanked Mr J. Brown and all who had assisted with the function, the net proceeds of which were devoted to the funds of the Army Queen. The hall was attractively decorated, and popular music was supplied by Mat do Laney’s Radio Rhythmics, with vocal numbers by Miss Daphne Jordan and Messrs J. M'Farlane and A. Waller. AIR FORCE QUEEN LEADS. The flag positions in the Octagon for the various queens are as follows:—Air Force 1, Navy 2, Army 3.