FIRE BRIGADE CARNIVAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 10, 10 September 1915, Page 5

FIRE BRIGADE CARNIVAL.

AN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS. Tin- Heather conditions yesterday, though windy, were ideal for the holding of the Kire Brigade's Carnival. The streets leading to Victoria Park were lined with spectators for a considerable time before the procession was timed to start from the Pire Station. After leaving the station, about •2 o'clock, the route taken to the Park was via Broadway and Kenton Street and Cordelia Street. The procession was headed by the Municipal Band. Following the band came the stretcher bearers and a "doctor," the "fancy dressed" football and hockey teams. 11.M.5. New Zealand (commanded .by , Captain Burgess., with him being LieuItenant Drake and three small midship.menL the hose reel, H.M.S. Lizzie (Admiral Davey. Captain T. Kirkl wood, and Chief Engineer Brocklebank), and then a hand-cart containing [a large case labelled: "The Kaiser)" "Made in Germany." "Open this |side." The battleship "Lizzie" is, no doubt, one of the best models seen

in any part of the Dominion. The ! building of the boat was done by the following members of the Brigade: Messrs Davey (architect). Brocklebank (builder'), Moon (mechanic)'; ( while the painting was a credit to Mr A. S. Davis, "the Brigade's artist." Both the "Lizzie" and the N'ew Zealand were armed with tour guns in (the turrets and the broadside consisted of about three guns. The petrol tax which Parliament is considering at the present time no doubt frightened the builders of the ships, and ill consequence the frameworics were built on handcarts, which necessitated having a big crew of "A.B's.)' Master Roy Smith. Master Eric Smith. Master Colin Grubb, Miss Rita Grubh and Miss Dorothy Davey. Admiral Davey. MICE., together with Captain Kirkwood, X.8.C., on the "Lizzie," made a very imposing picture standing on the bridge giving orders. As the ship was negotiating Broadway, considerable trouble was found'in tacking. The Brigade secretary., mounted on a "horse." kept the 'people in fits of laughter with his queer antics. The Carnival would not have been complete without clowns, and these received rounds of applause as they passed down the'street. : On arriving at the Park sports for men, women and children were indulged in. The fancy dress football match, one of the "star" events, commanded the attention of the public once Referee T. Kirkwood had blown his whistle to commence pla.V. Mr Cauip-j bell Jackson kicked oft', and the game was very spiritedly played, tor some time. Very occasionally, ' notice was taken of the referee's whistle, and then arguments commenced as to why the game had been stopped. 'During

the game three players got "laid put" and the "doc-tor" rendered'first aid— From a pickle bottle containing water which had a reddish-yellow color—and the medical man was assisted fb^Htffie | stretcher bearers, who carried the men off*the held. .On.one occasion in the scramble k febaf one of the contestants had half of Ins clothes torn off his back! As 'to the" fancy dress :liockey match, some- "echoed their disI jproval at the football being used as a (hockey ball! ' There was .plenty of fun and amusement for the children and it cannot be said that any child went away from the Park without enjoying itself. .The. following are the results of ■ the children's races-:—Girls (prizes: Ist, (id; 2nd. 3d, 3rd, Id).—L. Jones 1, P. Sharrock 2fG. Peters 1, C. Cuff 2; 1). Beere 1, V. Crofts-2. Boys: H. Smart 1. H. Jones 2, L. Todds 3; G. Jackson 1, S. Thorp. 2; J. Peters 1. S. Cathro 2; I). Healey 1, Breezeman 2. The excitement of the afternoon as far as the children were concerned was the lolly scramble. Captain Grubb, who was in charge, received a very enthusiastic welcome from the children. The pillow fights and the other side shows did not do a "great business," but the attendants were kept busy. The afternoon function concluded at about 1..'50 o'clock. Many of those who participated io the evening's entertainment were new to the public), and as they marched through the, town cheers were frequently heard. The grand torch-light procession started from the Fire Staton about 7.;i(), and after proceeding through the main streets of the town the Town Hall was reached about S p.m. The procession was ranged in r.he following order: "The clown and his horse." clown, Municipal Band. Pipe Hand, about 100 torches; H..M.S New Zealand. .Japanese lanterns, R\n\ Cross Nurses, the Dark Town Fire Brigade, H.M.S. Lizzie, torches. "The Kaiser." and the Boy Scouts. The burning of "the Kaiser'' and the fireworks display took place opposite the Town Hall, and hundreds of people gathered to see the "Chief Hun" sent up in smoke, and the last seen or I heard of "K. of Germany," was a loud report, and the whole body broke into (lames. The only accident, a j minor one, which occurred;, happened outside the Town Hall, when H.M.S. iJVu Zealand failed, to keep her head I to the wind, and being caught in the trough of the sea (no, the gutter!) was blown over! There were no casualties! The display of colored lights and fireworks Wins much appreciated. In the i ______________

ll.ill. 'before proceeding with Hie lance. Captain Grubb thanked all present lor their assistance, and explained for what connection the proceeds were being utilised. The Grand March wa* really picturesque, and nothing more attractive has been seen in Stratford, ihe costumes worn by the dancers being of a very varied character. About one hundred and fifty couples took th© floor. An item which was greatly appreciated wa-, the selection. "Maritana," by the Kaponga Brass,Band, under the baton of Mr Woods, who is to be congratulated on the efficiency of his band. Later. Mr Woods and sou were heard to advantage in a duet, and duo recognition was shown by the audience of their finished manipulation. The first dance was accompanied by the playing of the Kaponga Italian Orchestra 'more popularly known as the Tin-Can Band), conducted by Professor Antonia Polloni (tympanium and bells). Signor Cuylor 'accordionist). Signor Thornunodavie (jump bells), Signor Thorunininclina (triangle), Signor Macartier (side drum), Signor Kihgcharles (violinist), Signor Conwalka (guzy.ooL Signer Percivalborine bones). Signor Preecetbun (bassj),Signor Clarkio (mouth organ).

The music supplied by the "hard up" orchestra, the members of which were attired in "hard up" costumes. although played on "hard up" instruments, was anything but of a "hard up" nature, though it was being supplied to a "hard up" social!

The prizes for the best ladies fancy dress was won by Miss Nyhan, "The* Road to Ruin," while for the gentleman's section Mr T. (iormley, "Bafry" (Hawera) was proclaimed the winner. The competition for the best "hard up" dress resulted a s follows: Ladies. Miss Walker (costume of sack and rags); men, Mr Richardson (suit of well-worn laborer's clothes).

The judges regret there was no class suitable to Mrs' W. J. Crofts' costume, which was truly the most original fancy dress in the .hall, being made of laurel leaves sewn tor gether, giving the appearance of a rich green plaited silk, the making of which must have cost the wearer many hours' labor. Musical and vocal items were given by Messrs Woods (2) cornet duet. Mr Woods (cornet solo), accompanied by .Mrs Woods (piano), Miss S. Fitzgerald (piano)/ and Mr Martin (humorous 'song)'. Messrs J. Crofts, T. Lawson. and ft. A. Drake acted as M.C's. Mr* Bianehi (piano),, and Mr S. Parker (cornet), supplied the music for the dancing, ; which was indulged in until an early hour this morning. In keeping with the nature of the social, the supper was also a hard-up one.-,and -fairly took the biscuits!' But that was according to arrangement,and [llrs 1 Brooking, who was in charge of this department, earned the gratitude of the hungry mob (!) for those very excellent cups of coffee. Verb sap. This notice would be incomplete with refereiice to the splendid work accomplished by- Mr George Bradley, who was here, there, and everywhere attending to matters or organisation/ and to whose" secretarial work a great deal of the success of the function was due. -Also, his part in the day's proceedings was, no light one. His drum-major act as the, prancing steed was the, subject of many encomiums. That' he was assisted vmanfully throughout by his fellow-members goes without saying, and all are to be congratulated thereon. The Brigade has many genuine supporters in the town, but as the result of the excellent entertainment put on (for a worthy object, by the way) many more friends were made.