TE HORO QUEEN CARNIVAL.

Otaki Mail, 1 June 1923, Page 3

TE HORO QUEEN CARNIVAL.

CROWNING CEREMONY. The closing function of the To Iloro Carnival Queen competition, which was held on Wednesday eveneing in the Public Hall was a striking and memorable one. The large number of motor cars and vehicles of various descriptions outside the Hall bore ample testimony to the keen interest taken by the public in the interesting ceremony, which was being conducted within. Inside the building itself was packed one of the largest gatherings that the Hall has ever experienced.

A concert party from Levin, organised by Mr. Kay Crichton, was the feature of the first part of the programme, and the various artists rendered items that were creditably performed and well received. The various accompani-

ments were played by Mrs. McNeilly. At the close of the concert, ou the call of the Rev. G. F. Petrie, M.A., a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the performers for the kindly assistance they had rendered.

The central function of the evening —the Ceremonial Pageant and Crowning of the Queen —then followed.

First came the two trumpeters, Masters Walter Gaivlcr and Francis Bradey who. with their trumpets in their hands marched down the full length of the hall, and then back again to the stage, where they took up their positions, one on each side, and gave the call, announcing the coming' of the Royal Procession. When the notes had died away the procession emerged, headed by Mr. Ray Crichton, Master of Ceremonies, and the Lord High Chancellor, the Rev. G. F. Petrie, attired in university cap and gown, and wearing the robe, the emblem of his exalted position. In their train, bearing their respective insignia of office, followed the Crown Bearer (Master Ernie Baynes) with the crown; the Sword Bearer (Maste) Hector Davidson); Orb and Sceptre Bearer (Master Russell Haystim); Parchment Bearer (Master Stanley Evans); Mistress of Robes (Mrs. .Jim Ashdown); Flower Girls (Misses l'-rica Davidson, Ida Sawyer, Joan Pringle, Ruth Pinkinson, Marjory McChesney; Queen Competitors, Lilac (Miss Stella Gander, with her attendants, Misses Coralie Ashdown and Hazel AVindley); Rose (Miss Stella Sawyer; Attendants, # Misses Kathleen Sawyer and Isabel j Kirker); Primrose (Miss Jean Duncan, attended by the Misses Vera Judd and I Best’e Judd); the Queen (Miss Aileen Ivjictor. with her four attendants, the Jlisses Nellie Lander, Nellie Muir. Olive Ashdown, and Betty Harkness). To

the accompaniment of a march tune, with a haunting melody, played by Mrs. McNeilly, the Procession wound i.s way with slow and stately tread down the Hall to the north door, and then back by the central passage to the platform, where the various members took up the positions assigned to them: with the Queen seated on a raised dais in the centre. The grouping made a prettv picture, and brought truth a hearty round of applause from the

spectators. Tlu> beautiful stage decorations—fho v.-ork of Mr. and Mrs. dim Ashdown— contributed in very large uioa-

ure’to the setting. The Master of Ceremonies then called upon the Chancellor to read the i’lOelumation. The little Pareamen; Bearer. Master Stanley Evans, quieth moved out and presented the roll to the Chancellor, who. taking it from him unrolled it, and in clear tones rend as follows: PROCLAMATION. Whereas, by the result ot the Pob. the Violet Queen candidate gained me highest number of votes, we hereby declare Miss Aileen Lauder, the said \ i°_ lot Queen nominee, to be duly elected Queen of the Ca-rnir al. E. J. BRADEY, General Secretary.

Alost Gracious Lady, in pursuance of the power conferred by the said Pro elauiation. we, your faithful subjects, arc hereby assembled to do honour, am, to show our high appreciation ol your magnificent efforts combined with tin loyal endeavours of your charming Ala ids of Honour, Princess Stella Lawler. of the Lovely Lilac, Princess Stella Sawver, of the Red Rose. Princess Jean Duncan, of the Pretty Primrose. Me

salute you in. adoring acknowledgment of your charming skill in levying upon the public for bullion to acquire funds for our Church. We otter you our unswerving loyalty and dcvo.tion, and will be ever ready to obey your commands.

Wo humbly beg you to accept our heartfelt love and good wishes for your health and happiness, and may you live long to reign over us and administer according to the Laws of Flower-land. On behalf of your people, I now crown you Que-v.ii of. the Floral Carnival, and may*this crown remind you of the undying supremacy of the sweet-scented Violet, which is now the national flower of Te Horo. ■ (Signed) G. ¥. PETRIE, M.A., I Lord High Chancellor. The Proclamation read, the Queen then knelt, and the Chancellor placed the crown on her head, thereafter raising her and seating her upon the Throne. On the call of the M.C., the Orb and Sceptre and the Sword were presented to the Queen by Masters Russell Hay"ton and Hector Davidson, respectively. 11 The conferring of Royal Honours then followed, when the following dis-

tinctions were bestowed by the Queen: • Duke of Win-bull—Mr. X G "? - Marquis of Jersey—Mr. Lander. Earl of Milky -whey Mr. Ivl * ke *’ j Viscount of Alfa-Laval— Mr. J- s ' j Viscount Stunner Mi. Da with on. j Lord High Executioner— Mr. Fa . - " Duchess of Guernsey— Mrs Gan lew Poptess of Mangaone—Mrs. Lady Alberta Maypole—Mrs. Me-1 Noilly. . . _ , „ Lady Nell Goodworks —Miss 'Bradey. Lady Robin* Baimong—Miss Day.

Lady Pansy Patch—Miss 0. Ashdown Lady E. Crosscut —Mbs E. Lawyer. Lady Clementine—Mrs. i lenient s. Lady Cella-To ye—.Vl... Muir. .Most of the recipients of honors came forward, and humbly knot : before the Queen, Lad their respect. , c titles i inferred upon them. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Rev. G. F. Petrie addressed the audience, and said:-—“The To Horo Queen Carnival Competition, the first

<f its kind ever conducted by the residents, is ended; and ended with such a splendid result that it has evoked from all quarters, lit-" highest and rite most unqualified praise. With the Honours which the successful Queen —and •I] • has every reason to be proud of In . success —has been graciously pleas'd to confer, one of the most successful ind enthusiastic effort., in this district, to raise funds fur Chinch purposes, terminates.

“It is needle-s for me to point out dint the list of Honours which lias just been conferred upon some for the important part they played in the great ■ampaign does not include all who ought to have been signalled out for special distinction. For the Queen to have done her duty in this .respect and she would have liked to do—would have meant keeping tier here all night.

Ti e magnificent mult achieved (£ooL>) is due not simply to those who have been specially called forward to-night, but to practically everyone in To Horo, and to a large number of friends also outside the district. “Certain limitations, due to diffidence and shyness on the pari of some to come forward into the limelight, have caused the Honours List to be considerably curtailed. i I offer my personal thanks to the f people of To Horo for the exceptionally > splendid way in which they have con- 1 ducted the campaign. It has. from ; start to finish, been a good tight, and one almost free from bad feeling.’’ The speaker, then, ou behalf of the Committee, proceeded |o make various presentations. First, to tile successful Queen Candidate, a beautiful wristlet gold watch, suitably engraved, and commemorating “one of the happiest contests of her life.’’ Mr. Jim Ashdown, on behalf of the ‘Queen, suitably replied. Then to l lie unsuccessful aspirants to the Throne, exquisi 1 ely wrought leaiher bags, ihe work id a returned soldier. Mr. Flank Evans, on their behalf, returned thanks. The final presentation was made- to Miss Giadey, Geneial leenetnry of the <’aiivai. “She Lad been jit lie seen an, little heard of during the competition, said the speaker, “but she was the one who had contributed mosi of the smooth

running of affairs, and kept the wheels oiled so that there .should be a minimum of grating and rasping. I’robably no one but himself knew the great value of the part which she had played, tie had the greatest of pleasure in presenting her, from the Committee, with a little memento (a gold buckle bracelet) for her valuable assistance. A special vote of thanks to Mr. Ray Crichton, who had ananged and supervised the pageant, was then moved and heartily accorded. The pageant closed with the singing of the National Anthem. The queen’s dress was of white sit;-., girdled and beaded with pearls. Che wore also a red robe with ermine edge and touches of violet, unit a gifted crown of violets and pearls. Her attendants weer dre.-.md to match. Other maids wore nicely dre-sed, appearing in the colours of flueir candidates, while the flower girls weie effectively dressed and preceded the queen. The Mistress of Robes was attired in white, the trumpeters in red and white, the crown bearers in purple am! white, the swordbearers in red and white, and the orb, sceptre bearers, amt parchment bearer in purple and white. The lovely presents were secured from Mr. Looser’s and to him credit is due.

Refreshments were then dispensed, and dancing (to music kindly supplied by Mrs. Day) brought to a close a happy and memorable event in the life oi the residents of tiie little township of To Horo. They do tilings well in Te Horo —to their credit be it said —and the Queen Carnival Competition, just finished, will for many years to come stand out as a striking illustration of this truth.