CARNIVAL WEEK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 253, 24 March 1914, Page 4

CARNIVAL WEEK.

THE ARCADIAN REVELS. A SUCCESSFUL OPENING. For months past an energetic committee of ladies and pentlemen has been working hard, organism? and perfecting arrangements for a monster fair in aid of the funds of the XI. Regiment Band, which for years past has ben considerably handicapped financially. A special feature was "The Arcadian Revels," u number of quaint and fascinating dances in which over 200 performers, specially • trained by Professor Owen Cardston, participated. The fair was opened last night in the Theatre Royal, and judging by the attendance and enthusiasm of all concerned, it should have a very successful run during the w^ek. Tastefully arranged, and prettily decorated under the dress circle, are the various stalls, each in charge' of smiling attendants, who appeared to have no difficulty in temuting the nimble shillin" from even the closest-flated, whilst their bevy of assistants flitted about the body of the, hall, which had been left open to allow of free locomotion, and pressed their wares on all and sundry, he being a fortunate individual whose pocket escaped unscathed, In opening the Bazaar His Worship the Mayor (Mr. G. W. Browne) gave a short resume of the position of the band since the Citizens' Committee took control of it, and immediately prior to that. On March 1, 11)13, the band had practically decided to disband on account of financial difficulties, and the position was placed before ( a meting of citizens. Rather than see the band go out of existence, it was decided to relieve it of its financial difficulties, xnd set the members free to improve the musical standing of the band. A learners' class , had been started and had met with considerable BUccess. The wisdom of the policy adopted was proved by the success achieved by the band both collectively and individually at the Auckland contest. With a view to placing the band on an equal footing with others, in the matter of instruments and equipment, the present carnival had been inaugurated in an endeavour to raise the £6OO required. He had no hesitation in appealing to the citizens of New Plymouth to back the committee in its efforts to provide the town with a first-class band. On behalf of the committee he sincerely thanked the parents who had permitted their children to take part in the dances, Mrs. George for providing free music for the classes, Mr. G. H. Saunders for valuable assistance, and dancers stallholders, and all others who had assisted in any way. His Worship then declared the Bazaar open.

THE STALLS. Tlie stalls and stallholders were as follow: Kefreshmcnts: Mesdames Jury and Back; assistants, Misses McGuire, Jury (2), <!«orge, Gardner, Hazlett, anil Blown. Ice-cream and Soft Drink*: Mesdames K. M. Smith and H. Moverley; assistants, Misses McEwen, I. Bellringer, and LocH'h; Messrs. Miiburn, Hurle, and Tuohy. . Produce: Mesd:im?s Fullman, H. Okey, and H. J oil; assistants, Mesdames Cummins and Austin, Misse; Jones und Williams. Sweets: Mesdames Pellcw and Bond; assistants, Misses <<uun, Early, Cummins, Warner, Shirley, George, Bielby, McGill, and A. Blair. Bran Tub: Mrs Ardern; assistants. Misses Moon and E. Brown. Gentlemen's Stall: Mrs Oha* Bullot. jun.; assistants, Minses E. Tuohy. Fabian, Eva, Brown, Lealand, and Brooks,

Plain and Fancy: Mesdames Browne, Grant and Bolton; assistants, Misses Davis, Bellringer, Symons (2), Lye, Bielby, Guscott, lleuricks (2), and Smith.

Bandsmen's and Jumble: Mesdames Condie and Coleman;' assistants, Misses Cane (2), Tuohy, McGuire. Flower Stall: Mesdames Pellew and Brooks; assistants, Misses Smith, Speed. Mcttuire, and Braund. Hoop-la: Messrs, A. Pearce, L. E. Hoffniann. and W. Coulthnrd. Telegraph Office: Messrs C. A. Condie and C. Waters. \ ■Editor of the "Carnival Mirror," Mr, 0. 11. Dolby. The Citizens' Committee, beaded tv their president, Mr (;. W. Browne, we're ull present, but so complete were all the arrangements that they bad very little supervising to do last evening. Mr 1!. Ellis, the popular secretary, bad an office arranged in the body of the ball, and there he was to be se«n, calm and collected, attending to a hundred-ami-one enquiries with an unwavering urbanity, gained from bis long contact with county arid; other ratepayers. He is assisted in' the office by Miss Mills. The. ballot-box, too, in a prominent position near the office, was in constant demand throughout the evening to receive votes cast for the various Carnival Queen candidates, each person on entering the ball being presented with three free votes. Throughout the week this practice will be adontcd. The XI. Regiment Band marched to the hall earlv in the evening, and played several -elections outside. Mrs; Oeorge's orchestra, provided the music inside.

A SPECTACULAR TREAT. The Arcadian Revels proved a spectacular treat, and provided fully two hours* genuine entertainment. Professor Oardston has, in the short time at his disposal, done wonders with thmaterial available. Undoubtedly, the Arcadian Bevels are going to prove a great draw. The Professor has amused 21 different turns, eneh of :. d;iTere:i< nature, giving infinite variety. Of these, no less than 14 were jiibmilted last night. Hie performers, both old and young,- entered into their parts wiih zest, and executed the intricate movements unfalteringly, and everything went through without a hitch." The dressing and staging added to the attractiveness of a performance which wa : novel to New Plymouth. It is impossible to adequately describe the various' items, which must be seen to b-> appreciated. Those submitted last night ineluded "Ye Olde English C.avotte," with Miss Ivy Gilbert as Fairy Oueon, Hisses Daisy McGuire and Clarice Moverley ns living statuary, and Ifl Indies and gentlemen of the court; "Japanese Billikens at Play," by about 100 little tots; "The Dance of the Swiss Shepherdesses;" "Change of Seasons," including ''The Birth of Spring" (Miss Eileen Browne in the title role), Fairy Jueen commanding summer; "Summer Ballet-," "Autumn Ballet;" "The Demon" (Mr. Seed taking the part); "A Winter Skating Carnival;" "La Belle Danse Parisienne;" "Quaker Girls at Play." with Miss Eileen McGuire as Quakeress, this young lady receiving a great reception; "Tally-ho! Tally-ho!" preceded the grand finale, "A Night in Bohemia." with its numerous lively choruses. "The Change of Seasons" and "Tally-bo!