THE OHAKUNE CARNIVAL.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, 28 October 1915, Page 3

THE OHAKUNE CARNIVAL.

HON. DR. McNAB’S ADDRESS. Wet weather seems always to attend Ohakune sports gatherings, and Monday’s proved no exception to the rule. Between showers, however, events

were got off, and though not as successful as tjhey would have been had the day been fine, yet a goodly sum was gathered for the fund. The various committees for the baby carnival were very active and netted substantial sums- for their candidates. The ladies worked hard at the afternoon tea booth and as a result won a good deal of cash for the cause.

Following are the results of the Sports events:

Tug-o’-war: Five teams entered and after some exciting pulls a team consisting of Messi’s Hannifan, Boyle, Earle, Leggatt and Binning proved t)he winners.

Putting the Shot (11 entries); W Jopp 1, W. Backham 2.

Chain-Stepping (23 entries): G. J. Goldfinch, 66ft lin 1, E. O. Light band 65ft Sin 2.

Throwing the Cricket Ball (23 entries); Branchlejy 1, Gibbs 2. 100yd s handicap; For this event six runners faced the starter. The result was: W. Sexton 1, D. Sexton 2. P. Rice 3.

Boys’ Wrestling (3 entrants): McDowell 1.

Old Men’s Race: J. Crewe 1, P. Kearney 2.

THE CONCERT.

It. was always known .that our mumher (Mr R. W. Smith) was but last night ho was seen in an altogether new role .viz., a theatrical manager and* characteristically he made a success of that also. The company which he brought with him was in every way an excellent one and not an indifferent item figured in the pro-

gramme. Mr Chapman, .of Horopito,. gave as the opening item an excellent rendering of “Tipperary,” the audience joining in the chorus. Miss V. Myers sang a song with an appeal —“Coo-ec,” and in response to an encore, “When Irish Eyes are Smiling.” Miss Elsie Robinson, who is a juvenile dramatic reciter of much power, declaimed i pmoe ■ f topical poetry which was received with loud appluase, and for an encore recited a humorous piece dealing with a hostess who is bored by some unwelcome visitors. Mrs Tnnley, who is the possessor of a very pleasing voice favoured with an excellent rendering of “There’s a Land.” Mr Tony Smith has a fine baritone voice and in “Up Prom Somerset,” he had ample opportunity to use it. The quaint “Zummerset” accent was used with effect and quite won the audience who demanded an encore and Mr Smith for the encore sang “Mother Machree” in the correct interpretation. Miss Broderick gave a pleasing rendition of “the Rosary,” and Mrs Arthur was heard to advantage in “River of Years” and in her encore item, “Carnival.” Miss Robinson, who was again encored recited with much spirit, “Boys of the Dardanelles.” “My

Garden,” by Miss IJroderick, s was a pleasing item and the now xvelf-Known recruiting song, “Your King and 'Country Need You,” wag -sung with effect by the Misses Myers. Miss Elsie Ste-

vens then sang “Annie Laurie” and in response to an insistent encore s?ng the last verso. Mr Chapman favoured with the old time “Cuckoo.” The Misses Myers played a Pianoforte duet and Mr P. Barrjy danced a jig and, i.i response to an encore, a sailor’s TidrToipe. Further tlems, all excellent, and in keeping with their former efforts were contributed by Miss Broderick, Mrs Arthur and Mr Smith. Mesdames McKay and Arthur and Miss Myers acted as accompanists and were uniformly efficient.

DR. McNAB’S ADDRESS,

Dr. AfcNab arrived at about P p.m. :nui marched the hall preceded by two pipers fittingly announcing the coming of a "Mac.” Dr. McNab dealt witli tlio causes leading up to our participation in the war and proved that for 48 hours the very f, ato of the British Empire was hanging in the balance. He then proceeded to stress the seriousness of the position and opined that before the end of the war the number of our killed alone would exceed full number of men who fought in the Boer War. The doctrine that the "silver bullet” would win in the end was a fallacious one. History proved that poverty-stricken races of barbarians had in the past destroyed the wealthiest empires then in existence. The result of the war would not be assured until the people of our Empire realised that every possible effort would have to be made to con alter. He was never one of those who had underestimated the power of Germany’s great war machine. The vanquished in this great fight would sink from a groat world power to a second-rate one and the victors would be bled whiter-' the process of conquering. Tic end was not yet in sight and tremendous sacrifices would yet have to be made. The Government gave an assurance that not one penny of the money col-, looted for the wounded would be touched by the Stare. In fixing the pension rates the. Government had tierforce to divide into’two rough divisions—the totally disabled and tin partially disabled. The funds now being collected could be. more elastically administered than could any payments made under statutory power and would give some meed of comfort to those men who had fought and suffered 1c 1 us. The demands which wore now being made would continue for months for years, in fact for decades even until this generation shuffles off its mortal coil. He then made an appeal to the eligible men to offer their services, saying that the standard had now beereduced. allowing men of sft 2in and up to 45 years of ago to enlist. A man might, conveniently forget his age, too. were lie otherwise fit. He, however, deprecated the sending of boys to the front. The speaker concluded an excellent address.by ((noting the opinions on the war of some of the Empire's eminent men and by reading with much feeling the recruiting poem "Fall in.” At the. Mayor’s request, three

cheers were given for Dr. Atc.Nab

Air. E. W. Smith then thanked the performers for their assistance and the people of Ohakune for the response which they had made. He also sub-

mitted a flag to auction and by various bids a sum of £2S 11/ was obtaired. the flag ultimately becoming the property of Mr. Forster, at a price or >:/, p.'/fi.