CARNIVAL NOTES.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 319, 1 November 1915, Page 4

CARNIVAL NOTES.

(BY THE 0.5.) And the old order of things has changeth! The eleventh result of the Queen Carnival competition was screened at the King's Theatre on Saturday evening last, and was as follows: MRS GILCHRIST 1 MRS R.W. SMITH 2 MISS FORDE 3 MISS WHENUAROA .... 4 MISS CARPENTER 5 The drawing for a silver watch and a gold brooch in connection with last week's picture entertainments will, take place at the King's Theatre this evening.

The Carnival Committee meet in my office this evening at 8 o'clock. As there are several matters of an urgent nature to be dealt with a good attendance of members is requested.

Mr R. Cleaver still leads on che "O'Callaghan" banner. Mr Cleaver iS endowed with a lively sense of patriotic duty. He believes in helping the boys who are fighting our battles, and helping them generously, too.

The pupils of the Taihape District High School have made a little sacrifice this year, and have voluntarily decided to go without their prizes so that the money spent in purchasing prir;es could go to assist the wounded soldiers.

"Patrick, my man, whisky has killed more men than bullets,." remarked the cold water advocate. "That may be so," said Pat; but, begorra, I'd rather be full of whsky any time than bullets."

There was joy and jubilation at Iltiku and Ohutu on Saturday when the news was phoned out, and a pas de seul or a sheauntriubhas, or some such kind of terpischorean feat was executed in fine style by Mr J. C. Ross. The Utiku representative is going to take a lot of beating.

A concert and dance will be held at Te Kapua to-morrow (Tuesday) evening in aid of Miss Forde's candidature.

A fine concert , programme has been arranged, anl everything possible i."> being done to make the gathering a thoroughly enjoyable one. Professor Peyton and his band of merry-makers will be in evidence, and will "spoof" with their usual enthusiastic vigour.

Great preparations are being made for the Ruanui Garden Fete and Sports to be held on Thursday next. With anything like a fine day, the gathering should be one of the largest and most successful ever held in that district. The ladies of No. 4 Committee hold usual weekly meeting to-nigjht at 7.'jo r, m. in Mr Neagle's rooms, whoa fresii schemes for boodle-bagging will be formulated.

The Mataroa folk are holding a "wind-up rally" on Thursday, the 11th inst. at which they propose having the time of their lives. (No charge will be made for admission, and refreshments will be provided free. How does that strike you? There is a rumour afloat that they also intend distributing ne pound notes amongst the gathering, but I am inclined to believe that .this is an exaggeration.

There was a gay and animated scene at the "Paddy's Market" sale in O'Connor's Hall on Saturday evening last in aid of Mrs R. W." Smith's candidature, and business was conducted with a vigorous energy qharacteristic of Mrs Smith's committee. Old and young were hard at work gathering in the bullion for "Our Boys'" representative, and incidentally for the wounded soldiers, and great was the haul thereof. The two well-known local dispensers of hilarious eccentricities, "Sandy" Walker, and "Darkie" Shout, were in great form, and smote all and sundry with their witticisms and pantomimic antics. It was a good evening's entertainment.

An amusing incident happened at Mr Old's sale on Saturday. Mr Joblin generously donated a horse to be offered on behalf of Mrs R. W. Smith's candidature. The animal was "put up," and after some spirited bidding, fell to Mr D. McKay, one of Miss Forde's most enthusiastic supporters—a great worker and a generous giver. Mr McKay immediately exclaimed, "Up again, for Miss Forde." After some lively bidding, the animal was purchased by Mrs Gilchrist's committee. Then it suddenly dawned upon Mr Joblin tliat he was without a horse to go home on, and he had to buy his own hack back at a fairly substantial figure at the third offering of the animal. The episode was a very amusing one, and the partiotic fund benefitted to the extent of some £45.

There is a tragic stQry. told of; a Mg, :bright, 18-year-old Australian by one of the returned troopers. The young fellow who had been phot through the ankle, was, to all intents and purposes, doing well. He was on one of the hospital ships, and was counting the days when he would be. invalided home to see his "dear old ] mother again." One morning he woke up to find, his leg black —mortification had set in. The doctor held out no hope whatever. The gallant young fellow with scarcely a tremor in his voice said, "I know I can't live, doctor, but. how long will I last?" The doctor replied, "You will be dead at 3 o'clock." And all he said was "Well, it can't be helped; I've done my little bit, anyhow.'

He uttered these simple words so cheerfully that the doctor could scarcely hide his emotion, while the nurses and the men standing about had tears in their eyes. Just before he died he said, "Good-bye, lads, and I hope we'll win,* and, with juist fct shade of emotion in his voice, he added, "and don't forget to write to mother."

There's a little story for you—pregnant with pathos and tragedy. A story that quickens the blood in your veins and brings a tear to your eye. That gallant fellow in the glory of his young mnahood cheerfully gave his life for his country—calmly, resignedly and heroically-, and without a murmur.

It makes one pause and think and brings home to u s forcibly that it is our bounden and sacred duty to help such gallant heroes. We should be proud of them! And proud also to know that we are part and parcel of the creat British nation that stands for freedom, justice and humanity.