CARNIVAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1063, 31 October 1911, Page 3

CARNIVAL.

The statement made when announcing the children’s part ot the Carnival that it would be the greatest spectacular performance ever witnessed in Foxton, has been more than realised. The magnificent spectacle witnessed, particularly on Saturday night, when the coloured lights were simply perfect, was not only a d - light to the large audience th it assembled, but a splendid tribute to the children, and to those who had patiently trained them lor the event.

When the curtain rose it was to display Britannia (Miss E. Ross) seated on a raised dais with all the familiar accessories, surrounded by a body guard from the local cadets standing at the “present.” Ibis was followed by the entrance of England (Master R. Riddle) in the form of a large repiesentation of the coast line of England, showing bays, headlands and other prominent features. The ode “ England, with all thy faults I love thee still,” (Cowper) was capitally recited by the lad. In similar manner Ireland appeared, borne by E. McEwen, who recited Moore’s poem, “Erin, O Erin ’ in good voice. This again was followed by Scotland, borne by EAitken, who splendidly recited Scott’s “O Caledonia.” The British Isles having taken their place behind Britannia, Canada came lorward, (Miss I. Hodgson) in a neat white dress with shoulder sasli of orange aud banner also cf orange, on which the word Canada was uicely painted, reciting the original verse : Wc hail Thee, Queen of Nations. Britannia great and free ; In homage bend belore them, Brave mistress of the sea. Our land’s best gifts we oiler And the nation yet to be ; Our life, our fruits, and best of all, Canadian hearts to thee.”

Miss Grace Lett then came forward, similarly attired, but with differently coloured sash and banner, on which Australia was inscribed, reciting the verse : “ We come from bright Australia, The sinmy nu.wrn land, And with our queenly sister Offer our heart and hand, in the years that lie before us, Whate’er they hold in store, Britannia’s cry to men of grit Shall claim our hearts from shore to shore.”

Miss Mary Collins, as New Zealand, similarly stepped forward, and in her forceful style and elocutionary talent recited :

“New Zealand brings Irom loyal hearts A message brave and Irue. Our sons have shown on veld I and plain What they can dare and do; And to thy call respond we will, When foes are strong, and cannon roar, We'll give our best, and pledge our word, 'Tis ake! ake! evermore.” Miss N. Ross, with the word “Africa” artistically inscribed upon her banner, stepped forward and recited ; “ United Africa’s praise we bring From kopic, veldt and spruit. The youngest of thy daughters lair, Won by thy love ere yet we knew it. We pledge ourselves, though broken, scarred, And wounded sorely in the light, We’ll stand right loyally heart and hand Zlose by thy side to aid the right.” This was followed by India — Miss Jeaunie McKuight—with the word “ India ” in black ou a white banner, reciting the lines ; ‘‘We come from where the Ganges Hows And giant mountain ranges rise, Where India's wealing millions dwell Beneath her burning skies. Of many a race, and tongue, and creed, We yet unite anew To hail thee, Empress of our land. And give thee homage due." When India and the others had taken their places around and behind Britannia, Aliss F. de Kidder, representing the Islands ol the seas, accompanied by twenty-six girls, every one in white with coloured sashes, and carrying banners on which were inscribed the names of the islands they represented in various colours, and recited : “And wc from islands scattered wide, Bright gems on ocean’s breast, Too numerous are our names to tell. Yet we gladlv join the rest Of those who own thy gracious sway, Britannia, (Jueen of Isles, We hail thy Hag, we love thy rule, And bask beneath thy smile.

The others representing the Islands wereMis>es Milva Collins, C. I<ett, A. Bodeu, R. ivaston, T. Bodeu, M. Pearson, R. Hadtleld, B. L,umsdeu, D. Hodgson, M. Proctor, U. Small, V. McSavauey, H. Pearson, S. Barber, L, Rand, K. Collins, F. Owen. M. McKwen, J. Claris, K. Patterson, I). Nicholson, M, Rubeck, M. Kastou, C. Walsh, M. Nicholson. These all arranged themselves in splendid order, every one knowing her position to an inch, till the whole stood or knelt before, around and behind Britannia, completing a group in pyramid lorm arising from a little dot reposing at full length in front to India, who termed the apex of the pyramid at a height ot about 12 feet from the stage. The magnificent blending of colours, the perfect pyramid formed, the waving banners in multi colours, the dark setting created by the cadets iu their sombre uniforms, and the dazzling rays ot the coloured lime lights, created a completed picture that those who witnessed it will never forget, and which brought forth from the delighted audience rounds of cheers and applause. The group having been thus formed

sang in good and lively notes ‘‘Britannia Rules the Waves.” At the end of the chorous, the cadets fired a volley, which rather startled the audience as it was unexpected but was a splendid finale to the picture, stirring the patriotic feelings to their depths. The chorous was repeated three times and at the end of each, the volley followed. The singing of two ver.i o. " G.»d Save the King ” bniughl tile curtain down amidst tempestuous demonstrations of applause, and demands for the lilting of the curtain which was acceded to and the delightful “ Pageant oi Empire ” was ended. In a brief space the curtain was raised and another startling and delightful scene appeared. Thirtytwo girls whose names are already mentioned in connection wtih the “ Pageant ot Empire ” each with a bough of flowers held above her head in the form of a pyramid base, occupied the greater part of the stage. Such a galaxy of bright, beautiful, graceful gitls it would be hard to surpass, while the colours of their sashes on the white dresses that each wore, and the flower boughs radieut in beautifuljcolours above their heads, was surpassingly pretty. The song “ May Day ” was nicely rendered and then at a given sign the music struck up a dreamy waltz to which the movement of the girls kept perfect time. At given signals the figures of the movements would change in such a mazy way that at first glance it would seem that the boughs twisting and twining overhead must result in chaos, but before the thought was hardly formed in the mind, thejboughs had placed themselves in well defined form again. Into groups, from that, into long avenues, with the flower boughs extended overhead from side to side, the dreamy character of the music, the graceful movements of the lithe bodies of the girls in splendid rythm, led one to think of a fairy scene in imaginary if not impossible, beauty and grace. PI very figure was a step leading up to a magnificent climax when a carriage drawn by lour boys, was brought across the stage containing the Queen. Sealed on the coach was the driver —J. Hornhlow he.Mle him an attendant —I Ross —in court dress, seated at the back of the coach the courtiers--R. Hornblow and W. McKuight—in court dress. Master Ross quickly jumped from his seat and running round the coach opened the door for the smiling queen to emerge. A beautiful avenue had been formed with a fulness of coloured flowers on the boughs overhead, down which the queen walked in queenly grace, the pages carrying her long train in austere dignity. | The appearance of the little laitylike Queen —Isa Patterson, was the signal for a burst of applause from the delighted audience that spoke volumes of appreciation. The Queen look her seat and as the girls followed her down the avenue, the leaders, Miss I. Hodgson and Mary Collins, crowned the little Queen, and bowing gracefully made room for the long list ot supporters to follow their example. This movement was a particularly fine and apparently intricate one, for by ingenious crossing the girls circled round the queen bowing in front and recrossing again to their proper places, but notwithstanding the intricacies of the several movements, not one slightest error was made from the leaders down to the veriest dot of five. Everyone seemed to know her place and carry out her part with perfect precision. This part ended with the retiring of the Queen and the final grouping of the girls to sing the song, “ Away to the Maypole hie.” This was sung in good tune and much appreciated, and the curtain dropped, but the delighted calls ot the audience brought the curtain up again when the Queen was found standing in the open door of her carriage attended by the whole company of her supporters, and the curtain fell for the last time, to the smiliug and bowing of the Queen, and applause of those present. The concluding part of the entertainment was in the lorm of the beautiful Maypole Dance, which was performed by ten girls and ten boys in perfect order on Saturday night. The other boys taking part whose names have not yet been mentioned are R. McEweu, E. Reid, D. Ball, J. Owen, H. Perreau and O. Rough.