“ALL-IN” NIGHT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24420, 4 October 1940, Page 8

“ALL-IN” NIGHT

CARNIVAL EVENT ELABORATE PLANS LAID STREET PROCESSION WIDE RANGE OF FLOATS There were complaints when the last Queen Carnival procession was held that it was not sufficiently bright to arouse enthusiasm. There is to be another procession on the evening of Friday. October 11. as the feature of an “All-In Carnival Night,” and it is assured already that ever- possible cause for criticism will be removed. For this special occasion, the committees that are advancing the claims of the two City Queens have amalgamated into a joint executive under the chairmanship of Mr R. H. Price, and even at this comparatively early stage there are indications that this “All-in ” night will give the people of Dunedin an opportunity to express materially their sympathy with the city’s £IOO,OOO Queen Carnival undertaking. It is scarcely necessary to remark again that the aim of the carnival is to build up a rehabilitation fund so that when the soldiers, sailors, airmen, nurses and all other members of the various forces who have left or are to leave Otago return to their homes there will be the means of providing them with financial assistance to settle back into civilian life. As a matter of fact, even at this early stage grants are being made to members of the second echelon and their dependents Spectacular Procession But that is slightly away from the subject of this particular event. The response from the various sections of the community promises an initial estimate of from 60 to 70 floats, hundreds of active participants, several bands, concert parties, jazz bands, and a dozen and one other attractions. For example, the men of the Hillside Workshops are rallying 500 strong, and their floats and burlesques promise to be highly diverting. The feature of their effort will be the inclusion of the railway engine which was on display at the Centennial Exhibition at Wellington. The engine is to be brought from Wellington specially for this occasion, and the appearance of such a monster in the streets is certain to be one of the highlights of the display. Then there will be the “ Dark Town Fire Brigade ” staged by the Central Fire Brigade staff with the aid of an old engine, the Pagoda float which the Chinese section of the community is arranging with much detail and accompanying with a team of collectors, and the display that the garage and motor spirit resellers are organising. It seems not unlikely that this last-mentioned effort will include a burlesque of the petrol restrictions, which is an undertaking which the petrol resellers will no doubt shoulder with great heartiness. In addition, there are to be adaptations of motorwrecking vehicles and a composite display that will certainly attract a great deal of interest.

“ Fun for Funds ” is to be the slogan for the occasion, and it would be difficult on present indications to it tagine an event more suited by colour and general gaiety to its catchline. An application is being made to the City Council to suspend all traffic, vehicular and tram, between the Octagon and Frederick street between the hours of 7.30 and 9 o’clock, and it is intended that the procession shall find its way along the main streets to Frederick street and turn back before disintegrating into concert parties at almost every corner. Everyone is to, be in fancy dress, and with the arrangement of the bands in the hands of Mr James Dixon, of the St. Kilda Band., and the marshalling of the procession the responsibility of the chief traffic inspector, Mr R. J. Avery, the orderliness of the parade and the general lay-out should be assured.

Thorough Organisation

All of the entertainment is to be in the procession for the preliminary stages except for the Casino in Dowling street, but as soon as the comparatively formal stage is passed, there will be mobile parties installing themselves at various points from one end of the city to the other. Since this is a critical stage of the Queen Carnival special plans have been laid and are being worked out with much thoroughness and with the full and active support of the business section of the city and the various unions. There is still opportunity for people prepared to organise floats, and communication with Mr F. L. McFarlane, c/o the Automobile Association (Otago) will provide further particulars in this reSP Without a doubt this undertaking has been tackled on a big scale, and the evening of Friday, October 11, is going to lie one of the brightest ever seen in the main streets of Dunedin.

Casino To-night

The Navy Queen Committee will be to the fore to-night with new stunts, new games, and a musical treat to be presented at intervals during the evening. Admission is free and lucky tickets will again be a feature of the evening. AIR FORCE QUEEN The Air Force Queen (Miss Mary Pratt) and her party visited Clinton, Clydevale. and Greenfield districts on Wednesday afternoon. A reception was attended at ‘ the Clinton Hall, where the school children and local residents had gathered to meet Miss Pratt. Mr McKinnon was in the chair, and extended a welcome to the queen on behalf of the district. Miss Pratt sang, after which she inspected the guard °f honour of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. The party then proceeded to the new Clutha Valley District High School, whore they were received by the headmaster Mr Grant The speakers were Mr A. V. King and Mr G. Hardy. After Mis s Pratt had sung, she inspected a guard of honour composed of High School girls. The next stop was at the home of Mr Charles Lucas, Tuapeka Mouth, where the queen was presented to Mr James Smith, the father of the Country Queen in the queen carnival held during the Great War. While the queen and her party are in South Otago they are the guests of Mr and Mrs F. L. Nicolson at their home in Balclutha. The arrangements which have been made by Mr R. R. Grigor, the chairman, and members of the South Otago Zone Committee have been excellent, and at every point large audiences have greeted the queen. . In response to many requests, arrangements have now been made by the Air Force Queen Co-ordinating Committee with Messrs Ernest Adams, Ltd., to sell badges at this firm’s premises in Princes street. Those who wish to buy Air Force Queen badges may, therefore, obtain them at this shop. At Kaitangata yesterday the queen and her party first visited the Kaitangata School, and as they moved up through a guard of honour composed of the senior girls flowers were strewn on the path. In the playground all the children had been assembled, and a welcome was extended by the Mavor of Kaitangata. Mr J. W Fenton, assisted by the chairman of the committee. Mr D. Marshall, and the headmaster Mr S. G Prebble, Miss Pratt led the children in singing “There’ll Always Be An England,” which was followed by a physical drill display. Later the party proceeded to the Kaitangata Hall, where a large gathering of ladies entertained Miss Pratt at a delightful afternoon tea. The Mayor extended a welcome at this function also, and items were rendered bv Miss Aitchisor and Mr Robertson. One of the efforts of Kaitangata towards the raising of funds for the A •- Force Queen was a copper trail

held this week which realised over £lO, and the Mayor reported that, along with this sum. already over £6O had been collected. Strand Theatre Community Sing; In response to many inquiries received from country supporters, the committee of the Air Force Queen advises that any cheerios sent in- earmarked Air Force Queen will be credited to the Air Force Queen Committee. ARMY QUEEN ACTIVITIES A very successfuj dance in aid of Army Queen funds was held in the Green Island Town Hall last night. Queen Airini, who attended the function with members of the Central Army Committee, was welcomed by the Mayor (Mr G. A Orange), and was presented with a bouquet by the Mayoress. From every point of view, both socially and financially, the function was an outstanding success. To-day the people of Port Chalmers will have an opportunity cf seeing the army tank, which has now become a familiar object ; n Dunedin. The tank will leave the city about 9 a.m., stopping at Ravensbourne. St. Leonards, and Sawyers’ Bay en route. This evening the National Reserve Battalion, under the command of Lieu-tenant-colonel McPherson will make its first public appearance, when a full dress parade will be held through Princes street. The parade will comprise over 600 men. and will pass through the Exchange about 7.30. and will march past a saluting base in the Octagon. The Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) and Queen Airini will be at the saluting base.

SPORTS GALA At the Caledonian Grounds to-mor-row a gala sports meeting organised by the combined Army and Navy Committees, promises to be 90c of the most unusual and entertaining outdoor programmes vet presented in Dunedin. Burlesque and comedy figure prominently, but pride of place must be given to a women’s Rugby football match between teams from the Basketball Association and the Hockey Association. The girls have entered into the spirit of the game, and judging from the keenness and rather original tactics displayed at their practices, the game promises to be a revelation. The referee will be Mr “Whang” McKenzie. ■ *

The men, too. are being well catered for. and there should be plenty of interest in the hockey match between members of an Association football team and the Pirates team. The fact that the players will be' dressed in women’s clothing, 'together with the fact that many have never held a hockey stick in their hands should add to the hilarity of the game. Rugby referees have accepted the challenge of a women’s team to play basketball. More burlesque will be added by a relay race between executive members of the Army and Navy Committees. Their dress depends upon the weather conditions, so should Saturday be gloriously fine, some strange sights may be seen.

On the more serious side of to-mor-row’s programme a display of gymnastics will be given by the senior pupils of the Otago Boys’ High School, under the direction of Mr J. P. Northey. King’s High School will do its part by showing “ how ” and “ how not ” to erect a tent. Primary school, secondary school, and senior athletics are well catered for, and various athletic events will be held between the burlesque items. Relay races will be held for Rugby and Association football teams. Perhaps the most attractive sight will be the march past of 12 women’s interhouse sports teams led by the" Dunedin Highland Pipe Band. The parade, on entering the grounds at 2.30, will march up in front of the stand, and Queen Jessie and Queen Airini will take the salute from each team. Also in attendance will be the John McGlashan Pipe Band and the Waverley Band.

CHILDREN’S PARTY AND FETE

An attraction that will appeal to all children is a party being held in the Town Hall Concert Chamber to-mor-row afternoon. While fancy dress is optional, no doubt the majority of the children will be present in costumes representative of many and varied characters. There are numerous prizes and a baby show will' be held, for which over £5 in prizes will be given. No attraction of this kind would be complete without ice creams, sweets, cakes, etc., and on Saturday these delicacies will be plentiful. Sir Percy Sargood has kindly thrown open his lovely gardens at his residence, “ Marionoto,” Newton avenue, for a garden fete to-morrow afternoon. Blooms and trees are at their best just now’ and a visit to these beautiful grounds will be well worth while. Numerous competitions will be held. Exhibits of prize-winning cookery will be on display. The feature of the afternoon will be an orchestra of 40 players from the Technical High School. Buses will run from Pitt street from 2 p.m. onwards.

ARMY QUEEN DANCE Arrangements have been made for soldiers from the two territorial camps in the district to attend the Army Queen dance to-morrow night, when both the Main Town Hall and the Concert Chamber will be used for dancing. There will be modern dancing only in the Main Hall and old-time dancing in the Concert Chamber, and in each hall an attractive programme will be presented The music for the old-time dancing will- be supplied by Wright's Band, and for the modern dancing by Mat Delaney’s Radio Rhythmics. with the vocalists Miss Daphne Jordan. Jimmy MacFarlane, and Arthur Waller. Spectators will be admitted to the circle for a small charge.