A KAPONGA FUNCTION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 60, 10 July 1915, Page 2

A KAPONGA FUNCTION.

WOUNDED SOLDIERS' FUND. | Kaponga was on fele on Thursday, I when a noble effort was put forth in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. the local band having arranged the function. The afternoon was devoted lo outdoor sports—football and Hockey—with the added attraction, continuing during the course of the games, of a court of "Misjustice" where anyone who was not exceedingly smart and fleet of foot was arrested by Bobbies Crowley and Wickham and haded before Judge Kirgan. his offence told in the cars of the people by Clerk of the Court Waugh and sentence of fine without the option passed by his Honor with or without consulting his fair ljury of Red Cross nurses. In this way the" very satisfactory sum of £42 was brought into the fund. I The football was played in fancy costume between sides .selected from the Kaponga Club. Rumor hath it (says one report) that quite a number showed such good form that they narrowly escaped inclusion in the AllBlack team to- tour the "Tropics.' Onlv the even scoring on both sides | 19 to IG-saved them., because all could not be taken, and strife-and illfeeling was feared if a selection was made. The lioekev was played between a ladies' team and the "skirted' 3 men. There was a good attendance of the public, and despite the coldness of the wind from the mountain, all enjoyed themselves thoroughly and got a taste for the more serious frivols oi the evening. With a mighty blast of meilody from the Kaponga Band and a cry on all sides "Here they come/ .the head of the grand procession Was seen to emerge from the Oddfellows Hall First came the hand playing the National Anthems of the Allies. Then followed the Territorials under Captain Hollard. the Senior Cadets towimr the mighty M.S. Elizebath, specially chartered from the Navy for the procession, the Oddfellows a fine Studebaker car ornamented and manned by a crew discharging salvos of rockets, etc., the Fire Brigade, a squad of daintily attired Red Cross nurses, a Red .doss decorated car, a Union Jack car, a lorry with life-like representation ot a blacksmith's forge and anvil at which workmen hammered out the welded steel, another lorry manned by Stratford Fife Brigade under Lieutenant Davey, then a little Dreadnought escorted by a juvenile Darky Tincan Band and last, an effective rearguard, MSphistopheles and his second in command making night bright as day with their brilliant illuminations. The Kaponga Band, under Bandmaster Woods, played a capital ser.es of selections. Among the many fancy dresses seen on the field of play and in the procession, the general opinion selected as the most original and striking in design, that of Mr A. E. King, as Red Indian. His dress and get up were excellent. His head of jet black hair was the tail of a famous horse once owned by him, Albert Chevalier At the Hall another court, presided over by Judge Bradley, caused much amusement. A song was sung in capital style by Mrs J. P. Murphy and Fireman Davis (Stratford) contributed two comic songs (encored). Then the floor was cleared and dancing commenced. i The organisation of the whole affair was in the hands of the Band Committee—Messrs Guy, Preece, Bertie, Clarke and Waugh (hon. secretary). The last named did a tremendous amount of work. His energy and enthusiasm infected all those who took part and went a long way towards ensuring success. During the evening, Mr A. H. Guyon behalf of the band, thanked most heartily all who had taken part in and done so much to assist the gala, especially mentioning the Stratford Fire Brigadesmen, the musicians, and Mrs J. P. Murphy.