QUEEN CARNIVAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5456, 2 August 1929, Page 2

QUEEN CARNIVAL.

MEETING OF COMMITTEES. FINAL DAY ARRANGEMENTS. A meeting of the executives of the three committees and the main executive was held last evening, when it was reported that the minimum objective of £B5O was in sight. In view of the splendid response which had been made, and the extent to which business people were feeling the consequent reduction of spending power in the community, it was unanimously decided to abandon the gigantic “Paddy’s Market” which had been decided for Saturday, August 10. The Farmers’ Queen in particular had goods on hand, and it has agreed to dispose of them at a stall on i one day during the week. After a careful examination of all the various activities it was found impracticable to close the carnival earlier than Saturday, the 10th, and it was decided to close at 9 p.m. on that date. Details have yet to be arranged, zut it was decided as follows , That no street stalls for “bring and buy” should be held on the closing day. That no new estimating competitions should be commenced on that day, and the few existing ones must be closed by 7 p.m. and the results made known during that evening. That a carnival procession be organised for 7 p.m. That after the procession each committee be allowed up to a maximum of 30 minutes in which to “Dutch auction” any goods left on hand; ‘ At 8 p.m. the amounts paid in to the credit of each Queen to be announced, and a progress statement given each 15 minutes until 8.45, with the final announcement at 9 p.m. That, if fine, the whole proceedings be held in the open air in front of the post office. That if possible arrangements be made for open-air dancing and entertainment. ' The general idea was that on the final day people should not be pressed to give or buy ; that so far as possible the keen spirit of competition should be eliminated, so that all might join together on one final note of harmony and rejoice in wholesome fun and frolic, with justifiable pride in the great success of the carnival. The' possible excess of funds over the sum of £B5O was discussed, and it was pointed out that the ladies’ and Plunket nurse rooms would require furnishing, and that the Plunket Society ladies’ committee had intended to make an appeal for this purpose : also that the sum of £B5O was required for the rest rooms, and the additional £450 would be most difficult for the council to raise, so that any sinplus would be a great relief to ratepayers. In connection with the new entrance and path up Primrose Hill, it was stated that the council’s intention, owing to limitation of funds, was to make the entrance from Wood Street near the Defence office, but a much more desirable entrance could be effected if it was made from Arney Street next to the vicarage. It was unanimously decided, subject to endorsement by the Borough Council, that any money raised over and above £B5O should be applied, firstly, to furnishing the ladies’ rooms and the remainder equally divided be tween assisting to find the Balance needed for the rest room and the relief of unemployment, the latter preferably to be spent in making an entrance to Primrose Hill from Arney Street. POSITION OF THE QUEENS. At noon to-day the Farmers’ Queen was leading, followed by the Sports Queen, with the Business Queen third. The clock dial records £9OO 17s. COMING EVENTS. FARMERS’ QUEEN. Friday, August 2.—Combined meeting of Farmers’ Queen Committee and friends, Centenary Hall, 8 p.m. Monday, August s.—Pictures and Dance, Netherton Hall. Thursday, August B.—Dance and Euchre, Netherton. SPORTS QUEEN. Friday, ' August 2.— Children’s Plain and Fancy Dress Ball, Gaiety /Theatre, Paeroa. Saturday, August 3.—Paddy’s Market and Gala Day. FARMERS’ QUEEN. ■ '■ WEDNESDAY’S CONCERT. The concert provided by the concert party from Morrinsville in the Aurora 'Theatre on Wednesday evening amply justified its claim to be an outstanding event for theatre-goers. . The opening quartet, by Messrs L. Echlin, A. Fawkner, D. W. Jones, and F. N. Stringfield, set a standard of excellence that was maintained throughout the programme. Mr Echlin’s rich baritone voice was heard to advantage in “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind,” followed by “On way, awake beloved,” and later “The Sergeant of the Line” and “Chip of the Old Block.” Little Miss Jean Hastings, accompanied by Mrs Hastings, delighted the audience with her very effective rendering of “Mr Bear,” and gave'as. an encore “I’ve got a pain in my sawdust,” and, of equal merit, in the second half “The Lilac Tree” and “Red Riding Hood.” Mr Jones, the tenor, proved himself a true artist in '‘Where’er you walk” and “Sparkling Eyes.” The charm of “My Prayer” and “Fairy Pipers” was given full effect by Miss Stevens, and the monologue by Mr Swenson, impersonating a hard-worked clergyman, lent a lighter touch and was well received. The robust bass of Mr W. Revell (Te Aroha) held the audience in "The Stoker,” and his dramatic rendering of “The Grand Parade” left nothing to be desired. His versatility was

well displayed during the second half in “Little Irish Girl” and “The Irish Conversazione.” The difficult “Nightingale in June” was rendered in masterly fashion by Mrs Jones, and her beautiful voice in “Ma Curly-headed Baby” so charmed the audience that they insisted on a second encore, “The Bird with the Broken Wing.” Mr IT. Roberts in “The Veteran’s Song” and “The Admiral’s Broom,” and Mr Stringfield in “Captain Mac” and “Sergeant-Major on Parade” were very popular. The duets by Mr and Mrs Jones, “The Miserere Scene,” from “Il Trovatore,” and “Enchantment,” and the quartette by Messrs Echlin, Jones, Stringfield, and Fawkner, “The Soldier’s Farewell” and “Fishing,” were of outstanding merit. The Scottish character comedian, Mr Bolton, rendered songs, patter, and step-dancing of a very high Order, and items being “Is that a fact,” “The little shirt my mother made for me.” “If your face wants to laugh, well, let it,” and “Home Sweet Home” (parody). Mrs Stringfield played the accompaniments with sympathy and understanding, and discharged her task with distinction.

His Worship the Mayor, Mr W. Marshall, before the last item was called, said :— “From the very evident appreciation with which you have, received the items I know that I voice your thoughts when I say that we have been privileged to listen to a most excellent programme, every contribution to which has been in most excellent taste and rendered with delightful artistry. The whole concert has been of a. most exceptionally high quality and generous quantity, and it has been, I anf sure, to all of us a very great pleasure to be here. We feel, particularly my friends of the Farmers’ Queen Committee, that we should be sadly lacking in a sense of what is due if we failed to take advantage of the opportunity of expressing our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the visiting artists for their great kindness in coming such a long way from Morrinsville and Te Aroha on this very cold evening to assist us in our local carnival and delight us with this wonderful entertainment.” Prior to their departure the party were entertained at supper, which proved to be a most enjoyable function. Votes of thanks to Mr and Mrs A. F. Steedman, the host and hostess, and to Mr and Mrs C. W. Neaber for their part in arranging for the visit of the party, brought to a close a most successful and enjoyable evening.