THE LAST EVENING'S FUNCTION

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 338, 15 November 1915, Page 4

THE LAST EVENING'S FUNCTION

MOCK COURT AND PADDY’S MARKET. SCURRY FOR THE LAST PA/ IN. RESULT OF THE VOTING. Taihape’s. Queen Carnivali is now practically over; the Queen has been elected and there only remains the crowning ceremony, which will bo a fitting finish to a good work. To say that Taihape was excited on Saturday evening is putting it mildly. The Mock Court, which was run by the members of the George Stephenson Pantomime Company, assisted by local people, proved a great attraction all through the afternoon, and man after man was taken in charge by fair policemen, transferred to the ( 'Hall of Justice” (the Council Chamber temporarily transformed) and fined for all sorts and conditions of offences. All l , when told the amount of their fines, ‘ ‘ parted up ’ ’ cheerfully and wont away contented. The charges were many and varied and oftimes singularly appropriate, but the court procedure was, to say the least of it, hasty. No red-tape, no legal form, just a straightout charge, conviction, and fine. So well did the fraternity work and so well did the public co-operate, that, the sum realised in fines amounted to upwards of £2OO. The fact that to reach the Town Hall one had to pass the special police and the court-room door had no effect on the attendance at the Bazaar. Early in the evening the hal? was packed and it was only by strenuous effort and. extreme lack of politeness that one was able to traverse from one end of the hall to the other. It was an animated scene. Sellers of raffle tickets were here, there, and everywhere, and inmost cases they did not have to plead very hard to “rake in” the necessary silver coin for the sale of the ticket. The stall-holders were busy at it and the secretaries of the various committees were ready to receive the buDion right up to the last minute for the deposit of money to count in the voting. Each of the stalls had an auctioneer and goods were sold quickly by tin’s means. Many of the articles were put up again and again, and one black sheep, which was sold by Taihape’s successful auctioneer, Mr. Stan Peyton, must have realised a very considerable sum. Meat, vegetables, gramophones, , fruit, chinaware, dresses, all and snndry were offered for sale by auction. “Paddy’s Market” in Sydney used to be a great scene on a Saturday night. Taihape was evidently emulating this famous market on a cleaner scale. There was plenty of fun for those w l,o wanted it, plenty of excitement, and also much cause for sobriety, tinged with sorrow when one thought of the object of the whole scene. That is one thing which stands out so far as the Taihape Carnival is concerned. The main object, the whole foundation of the Carnival, was never tost si Hit of; it was always the Mounded Soldiers’ Fund that everyone thought of and the Cfirnival has proved undeniably successful and the revenue has been considerable. During the evening at the bazaar, a programme was put through by members of the Pantomime Company and proved very good. At the conclusion of the programme, Mr. Peyton addressed those present and pointed out how irreat an assistance Mr. Stephenson and his company had been, and stated that he had not the slightest doubt that the lo C al people would remember this and see that the company played to a crowded house when, they visited here on the 30th Inst. Cheers were then given for Mr. Stephenson and the company. In returning thanks. Mr. Stephenson stated that what had boon done by the company was but their duty, and they hud done it -illingly. He trusted, however, that when they returned, they would have the support of the local

people. i>.55 p.m. a warning bell was rung and the candidates : representaf'ves -nsM'd their last cheques, the voting closing at 10 p.m. Shortly afterwards a largo number of people, who bad been attending the pictures, arrived at the hall. The girls wh« had been

busy all the evening selling raffle tickets took a well-deserved rest, and the supper rooms did excellent business. Patiently the crowd awaited the announcement of the result. Groups gathered hero and there. “Mrs. Smith ’s a, moral, ” said one, but was instantly silenced by a friend who. stated, “What rot! Why, I know for a certainty So-and-so can’t be beaten. Mr. put in a cheque that will settle all opposition.” Many quiet side-wagers -were made, mostly on the strength of somebody’s “inside information.” Someone would enter the hall and then there would be a movenent on the seats set down the ler of the hall and everyone -would stand. The position of the candidates had been shown by means of a board near the stage and everyone kept turning to see the positions. Then, about 11 p.m., the Mayor, accompanied -by the other members of the counting committee, came through the hall and announced the results from the stage. “Mrs. Smith first,” he said, and there Avas a cheer from all parts of the hall. The second candidate, Miss Fordo, also received an ovation. The figures Avere announced, but it was almost impossible to hear them owing to the cheerin'There was joy in the camp of No. 4 candidate. The committee gathered at the stall, and that they were more than pleased avqs e\ T ident. Then Mr. Smith stepped up and he was congratulated on all sides, and on Mrs. Smith also rising there was an outburst of eheer-

’ All the candidates then w-ent to Mrs. Smith’s stall and congratulated her. The way they took their defeat was a such as to make true sports happy. Each and all received the applause of those in the hall.

Mr. E. W. Smith, on behalf of Mrs. Smith, then took the opportunity of thanking the committee who had worked so hard, and also thanked those who had supported his Avife’s candidature. His committee had done excellent Avork and deserved all the thanks he could give them. The Carnival had been particularly successful and the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund would benefit to a considerable extent. Mr. Smith then congratulated the other candidates on their efforts, and on his call those present gave three cheers for the defeated candidates.

Mr. Ford, on behalf of bis daughter, congratulated Mrs. Smith and her committee on their success. He referred to the object of the Carnival and said that the most we could do was in reality only the least. It had been a strenuous time and all had worked hard and given of their best. He would like those present to ever keep the wants of wounded solders before them. (Applause's . Mr. Whennaroa also thanked those who had worked for Miss Whennaroa. and said be was particularly pleased that the Carnival was so successful. For Mrs. Gilchrist, M. A. Hulbert returned thanks. He pointed out what great work (< the boys’’ were doing for those who remained behind.

J[r. Carpenter also spoke, and referred to the noble work being done by the soldiers. Although his committee had not been able to win the election they had made the others go harder and so had done good work. (Applause). Each candidate and committee were being congratulated by those present, and it was not till a very late hour that the large crowd dispersed. The result of the Carnival has been really wonderful for such a district as this and Taihape has put up a record which other country districts will find hard to beat. The organising secretary (Mr. J. Walsh ) is to be heartily congratulated ou the result of his work. He had had a tremendous amount of work to do and the result of the Carnival shows how well he has done it. One feature of the financial side is the small amount of expenses. So far as the proportion of expenses to expenditure is concerned, this Carnival will undoubtedly compare more than favournblv with any other in New Zealand. Many carnivals have been held, but the expenses have eaten up a- huge

percentage of the receipts, but not r* here. The gross receipts were £11,(340 and the expenses will be about £350. This includes the money paid to the crganUisg seerotaiy as per agreement.

A meeting of the Executive was held this morning, when Mr. Walsh stated that in proportion to its size and popn- | laton Taihape had done as well as an-* J place in New Zealand. When he left I Pahiatua to come and ’ organise tlm I Carnival, people had said to him that * Tahape could not possibly raise mom j than £5.000. The result was a great J achievement. I Air. Walsh, it may be stated, is returning to Pahiatua to-morrow and any other secretarial work is to be earned' out by Air. Drayton. The Mayor (Mr. A. L. Arrowsmith). in moving at the meeting to-day that Mr. Walsh be relieved of his duties, stated that undoubtedly Mr. Walsh was to be congratulated on the results achieved. It had been his work. Tu seconding the motion. Mr. W. McLennan also eulogised the work )carried out by Mr. Walsh and stated that lie had thought that they would only raise £5,000, but after ATr. Walsh had boon in the district for a fortnights he had thought they would raise over £IO.OOO.

The Committee decided this morning

tn draw the combined art unions next Monday week, and the possession of an art union teket wll admit the public to

the drawing. The Coronation will lie held in about

three weeks ’ time