CORONATION DANCE.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 287, 9 May 1929, Page 5

CORONATION DANCE.

END OF CARNIVAL. - Imposing Spectacle. Over £3OO Raised. Some time ago the Putaruru Bowling, Croquet and Tennis Club (inc.), (considered the best means of trying to extinguish the debt that remains on the Soldier-Memorial Park. After deliberation it was decided to organise a r Queen Carnival, and the three sports bodies comprising the club each nominated a queen. Various functions have been held and during the past few weeks the rivalry, though friendly, was extremely keen and each committee were active in the organisation of functions that would appeal in the extraction of the nimble shilling and its more valuable relations from the public. Everything comes to an end, even a Queen Carnival, and last Thursday was .fixed for the grand finale. The Town Hall was the scene of the revels, and all roads led to the civic centre of Putaruru. All parts of the district were strongly represented and when the fun was at its height the attendance exceeded 400. The Town Hall has been presented to the public in many pleasing ways, but it is safe to say that never has the decorative scheme been so strik- ' ing and effective as it was on Thursday evening. Red, white and blue, as was fitting for a coronation ceremony, were the predominating colours and streamers hung from the centre draped to the four corners. The walls were covered with greenery. The windows were covered with red curtains, whilst the operating box was ‘covered with the National colours. The orchestra we re ensconsed in a corner of the hail, their platform being decorated with greenery and flowers. The stage was tastefully arranged as the throne room. Dancing started at eight o’clock, and the music was supplied by Shalfoon’s Melody Boys, under Mr. Epi Shalfoon. This popular combination rendered excellent music, and the reputation that they possess in Puta-

rum was greatly enhanced. The > floor was crowded and the scene presented was one of- great animation and .gaiety. There were many beautiful frocks in evidence, and the . wearing of paper caps by the dancers added a carnival appearance to the revels. Whilst the dancing was in progress the workers for the various queens were active, and the positions as disclosed on the blackboard changed with great frequency, this being especially noticeable as regards the Bowlers’ and Tennis’ queens. If the excitement usually associated with carnival gatherings was inclined to lag. it was this ever changing position that kept, it alive. Who was going to be the successful queen was on everyone’s lips, and the supporters of two at least were equally confident. As the time for the voting to cease drew near the excitement was intense, and it was arranged that at the closing hour | twelve strokes should be struck or the gong, after which the hostilities were to cease. As the man in charge of the gong started to perform his duty, .the bowlers’ candidate was ahead, but if they counted nr success so easily earned they were doomed to disappointment, for at the tenth stroke the tennis people, per medium of Mr. Beca, senr., came to light and as the final stroke crashed opt the positions were:—

Votes. Tennis 11,294 Bowlers . . .. 9656 Croquet .... 3289 The result was greeted with cheering and applause that lasted for sev- ■ eral minutes. As was said, it was a ■ popular win, and the sporting attitude that prevailed throughout the carnival was admirably expressed by the bowlers and the croquet supporters at once offering their congratulations to the successful queen ■(Miss Ada Beca) and the committee. Dancing relieved the tension, and it was kept up to ten o’clock, when it ceased to enable the coronation ceremony to be staged. To the sound of a fanfare of trumpets the roval procession, headed by Mr. F. T. Snell, bearing the Sword of State, entered the main door, and the noble company, with the queen elect, maids of honour, peeresses, peers end the queen candidates, Misses B. Yandle and J. "Sneddon. As the .Royal party were grouped on the stage before the throne the sight was one of regal splendour, the like of which had not been seen in Putaruru before. After the presentation of the queen elect by the herald, Miss Hulme, the Lord High Chancellor, Mr. C. H. Clinkard, M.P., then made the proclamation

that Princess Ada was about to be crowned Queen of the Realm of Putaruru. Then followed the presentation of the Sword, Orb, Jewel, Sceptre of the Cross and Doves, all carried out in accordance with the usual formality. The Crown was then placed on the head of Miss Ada Beca by Mr. C. H. Clinkard, the Lord High Chancellor, amidst loud and sustained applause. Homage was then paid to the Queen by the Royal party, consisting of Mr. C. H. Clinkard, Lord High Chancellor, Mrs. Barnett, Duchess of Putaruru Parks and Pines; Mrs. Francis, Duchess of Marchant and Crockett. Mrs. Leggatt, Duchess of Welkum Inn; Mrs. Munro, Duchess of Chevrolet and Pontiac; Mrs. Nixon, Duchess of Roses and Chrysanthemums; and the two Queen candidates, Misses Eunice Yandle and Jean Sneddon; and Miss Brann, Mistress of the Robes. The following were maids of honour: Misses Doris Yandle, Elste Walker, Carley Scott, Molly Thompson, Leslie Begbie, Margaret Murphy, Edna Rolfe, Mary Halse, M. Davies, and Laly Miller, all having the title of Countess confen-ed on them.

The Queen then made a neat little speech from the Throne, which was greeted with applause. The coronation ceremony and the conferment of honours which followed was carried out in a dignified and impressive manner, that reflected the greatest credit on those concerned. The fact that it had been possible to hold only one rehearsal makes the presentation of the spectacle all the more creditable. The function is one that will be long renic mbered by those privileged to see

A most interesting feature of the function was the decoration of citizens by Her Majesty. The honours list displayed much humour, the local “ hits ” being keenly appreciated and applause greeted the recipients as they made their bow before the Queen. The honours list was as follows: Mr. Beca: Baron Selim, Purveyor of Raiment to the Royal Family. Mr. J. Campbell: Sir John, Chief of the Clan Mactokoroa. Mr. H. Dukeson: Sir Henry, Royal Collector of Dog and Other Taxes. Mr. J. Francis: Baron of Marchant and Keeper of the Royal Duck Pen. Mr. T. Jones: Sir Thomas of the

Uphill and Overdale. Mr. A. G. Leggatt: Sir Albert rb the Welkum Inn and Purveyor Royal to the Household. : > Mr. S. McGowan: Sir' ■ Samuel, Laird of Mount Butt erf at.' Mr. W. Munro: Sir Billy of Came Bridge and Came Fast. Mr. W. Ross: Sir William of St. Rimu and Tote. Mr. F. Peters: Sir Frederick of Puketurua, Keeper of the Gate. Mr. J. Ross: Sir John, Chief Scribe and Keeper of the Court Circular. Mr. Smith: Baron Leon de Boeuf. Mr. D. Sneddon: Sir Daniel the Lion Hearted. Mr. A. C. Thompson: Sir Arthur, Comptroller of Sport and Spondulix. Mr. Louis Spellman: Sir Louis of the Ancient Order of Grasshoppers and Owls. Mr. A. Vosper: Sir Arthur of The Swamps and Brays.

Mr. J. Reid: Sir John, Knight of the Money Bags. I Mr. T. Snell: Baron Thomas aV j Bucket, Chief Carnival Canvasser. Honours were also conferred on the following, but circumstances prevented them from making their bow to the Queen:— Mr. F. C. Barnett: Sir Frederick Prince Pinus Pulpsky. Mr. A. E. Barr Brown: Sir Alfred, Burner of Cakes and Candles. Mr. Coupe; Baron Coupe, Keeper of the Royal Chickens. Mr. Goudie- Sir Basil, Nurse to the Painus Insidus. Mr. Johnson: Sir Harry, Gardiner in waiting (of 25 years). Mr. Jensen: Sir Henry, Lord Mayor of Te Whetu. Mr. Lochhead: Sir Oswald of Loch in Bar. Mr. McDermott: Sir Kennth, Lord Admiral of the Arapuni Fleet. Mr. Murphy: Sir James, Keeper of Peace and Plenty. Mr. Parker: Sir Samuel, Lord High Advocate of the Tall Totara Timber. Mr. Rabone: Sir Thomas. Lord High Advocate of all Dam Schemes. Mr. Rainger: Sir James, Chief Ranger of the Roval Deer Park. Mr. Spear: Sir James, Baron Bowser of Oxford Place. Mr. Williamson : Sir Arthur of Park View Manor. M. A. Dukeson: Sir Alfred, Lord Ein-h Tooter of the Roval PufT Puf. Mr. L. Francis: Sir Lloyd, Land Salesman Extraordinary to Her Maiesty. Dr. ITaslett: Lord Selwyn o* Wynn, Phvsician in ordinary to the Queen, M.D., R.T.P., COD.

Mr. A. Jones: Sir Owen, Prince of Wails ana Eucalpti. Mr. W. Hewitt: Sir William of mostly everywhere but no where in particular. Mr. E. Hollard: Sir Edward of the Eig Noise of Mangatapu. Mr. H. King: Sir Hamish, Jocular Jock, King of Jesters. Mr. W. Miller: Baron William of Rugby Hall and Popular Pastimes. Mr. Dunlop: Lord Dunlop of Surrey Downs and all the Weather Tread. The ceremony over, dancing was again resumed after the Royal Party had paraded around the hall. Mr. F. Snell, in thanking the people for their support, intimated that over £3OO had been raised, an announcement that was greeted byrounds of applause. Mr. Snell went on to thank the people from Cambridge who came over and assisted in the coronation ceremony. He also thanked all who worked so hard, especially the ladies. ( The supper, always an important adjunct to a dance, was in keeping with the general excellence that marked the whole function. Dancing was kept up until rn ' early hour, and as each left the hall it was voted that a fitting wind up to an interesting carnival had been I staged. V rt*. ‘