THE OTAGO QUEEN CARNIVAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24399, 10 September 1940, Page 9

THE OTAGO QUEEN CARNIVAL

ro THE EDITOR

Sir,—Two letters have appeared in your columns over the noms de plume of "Soldier's Friend" and "Soldiers" Aid," both written from Greenfield and it has been suggested that a letter from me might have the effect of dissipating any misunderstanding which exists regarding the method of. and reasons for, the appointment of Miss Mary Pratt as Air Force Queen. All country controlling committees throughout Central, North and South Otago were communicated with and asked for an expression of opinion regarding 'the holding of a queen carnival. They were told that the Otago Patriotic Council had elected a queen carnival executive., and that this executive recommended three queens —Army, Navy and Air Force—and also recommended that all funds collected be used for the rehabilitation of the men who returned from the war. '■ General approval of the idea was expressed by all controlling committees and the executive then definitely decided to hold the carnival on the lines indicated. Later each controlling committee was asked to send four delegates to Dunedin and these delegates were asked to come prepared to nominate and to select a queen In all, 36 delegates representative of the whole o? Otago attended the meeting and the following persons were nominated for the position of Air Force Queen: Mrs W. A. Bodkin, Alexandra. Miss Nellie Herlihy Maniototo, Miss Jill Lethbridge. Tarras, and Miss Mary Pratt, Dunedin. By process of elimination, the selection was narrowed down and the final voting was in favour of Miss Pratt, the voting being 29 to 7. Miss Pratt was nominated by South Otago and her nomination was seconded by North Otago Quite independently she was also the choice of the Central Co-ordinating Committee and this undoubtedly influenced the meeting. On the score of personality, popularity and looks there is probably little to choose between Miss Pratt and some of the others nominated, but what in my opinion influenced the meeting in her favour were the following points:—Miss Pratt was well and favourably known right throughout Otago She has a glorious voice, and over a period of years has been most generous with it .whenever appealed to on behalf of a worthy cause. During the recent Red Cross appeal, her singing proved to be one of the greatest inspirations of all. and undoubtedly brought in hundreds of pounds for that fund. It was felt that radio would play a big cart in this present appeal and that Miss Pratt could make the type of contribution in this connection which the others nominated could not make. When her nomination was made, delegates appeared relieved that a person had been nominated who was certain to give general satisfaction, and thus prevent any chance of parochial jealousies creeping in. The strong Oamaru support also influenced the meeting. The suggestion that each county should nominate a maid-of-honour to be called a Countess met with the full approval of the meeting, and I am pleased to say has given very great satisfaction throughout Otago, as also has Miss Pratt's appointment. Miss Pratt realises that a strenuous time is ahead of her, during which she must put on one side all her own private work and interests, and devote herself entirely to the raising of funds for rehabilitation purposes. Believe me, it will be no picnic, but mighty hard work. Already she is booked to appear at some 40 functions It will be a physical impossibility for her to sing at all of them, but she intends to do her best to sing at most. Her maids-of-honour are enthusiastic and some of them have already been wonderfully helpful. I In conclusion. I may say that al- I

* though Miss Pratt has lived m Dunedin during recent years, she is a country girl, having spent many years on a farm first in the Kelso district and late in Waikaka. She can still do most things on a farm One very ni'O feature is that her many friends throughout these and other country districts have inundated her with congratulations and promises of support during the present campaign I do sincerely hope that the Greenfiela farmers and all through the province will join with those of us who are working so hard for what we believe to be a most necessary duty, namely, the building up of a fund from which assistance can be given to those of our soldiers, sailors and air men* who are handicapped upon their return trom the war. When all is said and done, what does it matter whether the particular choice pleases or displeases us? It was made in the only possible fair and democratic manner. Now there is a job for us all to do so let us get on with it and strive to be as helnfu] as possible. —I am. etc.. A. C. Cameron, Chairman, Air Force Queen Central Co-ordinating Committee. Dunedin, Sept. 9.