OTAHUHU

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 359, 12 March 1918, Page 3

OTAHUHU

OTAHUHU PATRIOTIC CARNIVAL A BUOOEBBFUL DAY Otahuhu was en fete on Saturday. For months past the efforts of an enterprising Patriotic Committee had been directed towards a monster Carnival and Gala in the interests of our soldier "boys," and the loyalty of the public was shown by the large crowd which gathered on Saturday on the Show Ground adjoining the Otahuhu railway station. Although the function was not officially opened until 2.30 in the afternoon the Committee, in their wisdom, did not overlook the claims of the younger generation and a well arranged programme of sports for the children was carried out consisting of 22 events. This started at 10 a.m. and provided a good deal of amusement. The Committee's thoughtfulness is commendable as it gladdened the hearts of children and parents alike. Up to noon there was a steady stream of motors and horse vehicles bringing folks from the country districts. By two o'clock the scene was an animated one, and when soon after, the strains of music from the Auckland City Band and the Ponsonby Boys Drum and Fife Band were heard the public were in a joyous mood and thronged the enclosure At convenient positions various sideshows attracted a large number of patrons. A horse-racing machine claimed the attention of many, both young and old. This made its first public appearancg and did a good business, while the sale of 3000 lucky envelopes, the light refreshments and the lollies stall all in their respective channels added to the funds. The ladies presided over the various stalls were: Light refreshments, Mrs A. McDonald; lollies, Mrs P. Rouse; soft drinks, Mrs Goodwin; produce, Mrs J. Mclvor. These in each case were assisted by a loyal band of lady assistants who did good service.

HOME INDUSTRIES Cookery and produce competitions produced some good entries, especially the school section which creditably reflected on the instruction given in cookery at the local school. Miss Braidwood acted as judge and her awards gave every satisfaction, while Mesdames A. Muir and H. Mason carried ouc the duties as Stewardesses. The following were the results: Sconf s: Boys, Jack Cameron 1, George Whitmore 2, A. Morgan 3. Girls: Jeanie Kirkland 1, Mona West 2, Pearl Auckatt 3. Sponge sandwich : Hbz»l Embling 1, Edna Thwaites and Cissy C/owe (equal) 2, Maud Nicholls 3. Shortbread : Flora Meder, he. Homemade Scones: Mrs E II Pain 1, Mrs Stewart 2,

Mrs W. Hart 3. Currant Scones : a Mrs Pain, he Bhortbread: Miss * Wingate 1, Mrs McFadden 2, Mrs C. Fraser 3. Tarts: Miss Wingate he. Fruit Cake: Miss E Whitmore 1, Mrs Stoddart 2. Billy Sponge: Miss Wingate 1, Mrs W. Lippiatt 2. Sponge Sandwich: Mrs W. Lippiatt 1, Mrs A. McDonald 2. Madeira Cake: Miss Wingate 1. Seed Cake: Mrs W. Hart 1. Eggs, heaviest hens, Miss Beryl Andrew 1, Mrs E. H. Pain 2. OPENING CEREMONY

At 2.30 p.m. the Mayor of Otahuhu (Mr A. McDonald) accompanied by Sir Fredk. Lang, M.P., for Manukau, in the presence of a representative gathering assembled around a specially prepared platform. After the singing of the National Anthem the Mayor, in a fitting speech, mentioned how pleased they all were at being honoured with the presence of their member, Sir Fredk. Lang, and he thanked all for their attendance there that day. Sir Fredk. Lang then officially declared the Carnival open. In doing bo he expressed his pleasure at being present and appreciated the honour conferred upon him by the Committee appointing him patron of the Carnival. Otahuhu, he said, had risen to the occasion and as far as patriotic work was concerned it compared favourably with other parts of the Dominion. Incidentally he paid a tribute to the work of the local Committee for their efforts to provide for our lads at sea, the wounded, and those at the Front, and in this connection he especially referred to the excellent work done by the ladies in preparing for the Carnival that day. Commenting on the war the speaker urged all to do their utmost in the interests of the British Empire by maintaining high prices for our produce and to keep the ocean free, adding that New Zealand was especially favoured in being the best land to live in during the present crisis and it behoved them all to prosecute the war as much as possible by every individual effort. After apologising for the absence of the Premier he declared the Carnival open and wished it every success. (Applause) Three cheers were then called for, Sir Fredk. and for the M«rar (Mr A- McJJMald) anArtfre day's proceedings Mpp&nlinued with „• «•< ' **fr Lovers of (Aland of the {heather were providjKlWith mikic/by tha \ Auckland Ejpes*«nder rftft.^)«f^ SJicDonald. f ThroTrgtortt the day ■Wins of ijjfusic enlivened the proceeitingsdrid the favourable comment passVUfy all on the excellent promusic provided by the " Ponsonby Boys Drum and Fife Band (under Bandmaster Clarke) and the

Auckland City Band (under the

j baton of Bandmaster A. A Webb, \ indicated how much the public appreciated them all. Attractions of various kinds incidental to fairs formed a strong feature of the Carnival, including the " lucky envelopes " method of raising money, controlled by Messrs W. H. Parkin and E. Shepherd. By this latter system it was estimated about £l5O would be obtained. There was no lack of humour about the proceedings, and the entertainment provided by the services of Messrs Woods and Apps

and Mr 8. Kindley (ventriloquist) served to relieve any monotony, while the dancing of the Misses Scott, Hills and Phillips drew an appreciative audience. BATiY COMPITmOS. The awards in the baby competition resulted as follows : Mrs F. C. Philpott's child 1, Mrs W. Gardiner's 2, Mrs Roy Miller's 3. I'IRE RRIG.YDE EVENTS.

The Fire Brigade events proved an attractive feature. Twentyseven teams from eleven brigades competed in two events. Keen competition was shown in the two-man dry event for which the prize was a silver cup donated by the Union Oil Soap and Candle Company, Limited. This event resulted in the following awards : Newmarket No. 1, 4"sees, I ; Onehunga No. 2, 50 3-ssec3, 2 ; Onehunga No. 3, 50 3-ssecs, 3. In this event 14 teams competed. The three-men event resulted as follows : Onehunga No. I, 30a 1 ; Newmarket, 30 3-55., 2; Green Lane, 31s 3. Thirteen teams competed.