CARNIVAL AT WAITARA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 275, 30 April 1915, Page 3

CARNIVAL AT WAITARA.

IX Aii> OF THE BELGIi.W RELIEF FUND. A mo EFFORT. Waitara people have undobtcdly done their share in aid of the patriotic funds which are meeting with such a full measure of support throughout the country, and are to be congratulated on the success which has attended all their efforts. In August last a mimlier of residents of the district formed themselves into a body which they called the Xorth Tarauaki Patriotic League, and 'evbr since that time they have been doing good work. Weekly meetings have been held, and various ell'orts organised, which have resulted in the raising 'of no less a sum than .€2OOO. Not satisfied with this, however, the league organised another big gathering in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund, which opened yesterday, and continues to-day and to-morrow. They decided that it should take the form of a carnival and bazaar, and big things are expected of it. Ardent supporters declare that no less a sum than .-£IOOO will satisfy them, and one stall alone has stated its intention of raising £3OO of this sum. There certainly appears to be more than a possibility of these good intentions being realised, for the gifts have come forward , with really wonderful rapidity, so much so indeed that a large i|uantity is being held over for a special sale on Monday.

The carnival opened yesterday at the Clifton Rowing Club's premises, whicn were crowded with stalls and side-shows. At 1.30 p.m. the Waitara Town Rand and Fire Brigade paraded at St. John's Hall -and formed into procession, with, a number of children in floral and fancy dress, and proceeded to the scene of the day's operations. There were competitions for the children's costumes, the judges for which were M&dames Burgess and Lopper, but the result is not yet available. Bandmaster Hugh-, son was in charge of the band, and Captain Frost of ' the tire brigade, while Sergeant-Major Lester ably carried out the duties of drum-major and marshal. Arriving at the Rowing Club's Hall, a very large crowd was found to be present, and the sale was already proceeding briskly.

His Worship tlic Mayor (Mr. W. I Jenkins) formally opened the earniva In the course of a brief speech, he re forred to the sufferings of the Belgian! and congratulated the North Taranali Patriotic League on worl to such a successful issue. He also reai a telegram from the Prime Ministei announcing his Majesty the King's con gratulations on the good work of ou troops, which was receive:! with low applause. At the conclusion. Mr. Jen kins was presented with a buttonhole and Mesdames W. F. Jenkins, C. H Burgess and H. Lepper with boquets b; children in fancy costume. A strong orchestra then commence! a lengthy and varied programme, am the people present dispersed to tin various parts if the hall. Nfumorou fair ladies at once started what provci a most successful chase after the nimbi shilling, and the hall presented a vcr; animated appearance indeed. The whoh of the building had been nicely decor ated with flowers, evergreens and bunt ing, and the many colored dresses o1 , the. fair sex and numerous fancy costumes added much to the general gay ! appearance of the gathering. A number J of competitions were quickly put in full swing, and numerous novelty events proved very attractive. One of the chief of those was the shooting gallery on the rjver bank, at which the target was a miniature submarine. The vessel darted about in all directions, and was also capable of being submerged. It attracted a number of marksmen. In the evening limelight rendered the target visible. The .other shooting gali lery was also largely patronised. The I tulip garden, an improved bran tub, was well patronised, as were also the lollie stall and tea room. Business in the bazaar continued to be remarkably good. A collection of Swiss carvings found a lot of admirers, and the handsome carved seat, which is to be raffled on Saturday evening, was a centre, of attraction. Under the able direction of the secretary of the league (Mr. Ware), everything rrfn very smoothly, not on<» i hitch occurring, '

The stallholders were as follows: Leppeiton stall —Mrs. Sampsen, sen., Mrs. P. Sampsen, Mrs. and Miss Hontior, Mrs Ackland and Mrs. Wheatlev, Mrs. U. Lepper, Miss Luke, Mrs. Roberts, Mrs. Little, Mrs. Atkinson and Mrs. Frank Sampsen. Waitara stall—Mrs. Marlow, Mrs. Weir assisted bv Mrs. P.eckbessenger. Misses Tate (3), Brown, Goldfinch and Elliott. Tikorangi and Waihi stall—Mesdames Davidson, West. Whitehead, MfKenzie, Hine, Allen and Fall (2). Methodist stall—Mesdames Andrews. Tlollis, Misses Joll and Robinson. Menin and surrounding districts —Mesdames Fuller and Mat Jones, Misses Pigott and Taylor (2), and Mr. Fuller. Waitara flower stall—Mesdames Voung, Johnson, Corbet and Night. Tulip garden —Mesdames Cameron, Thompson and Dirdling. Houp-la—Misses Marlow and Stoddart (2), assisted by Misses Runibal and McC'rackeu. Shooting galleries were run by the Seaside Improvement Society. Refreshment rooms— Mesdames Tatton, Joll and Andrews. Lollie stall—Mesdames Trim and Brassiugton, and Miss Adamson and a number' of assistants.

11l the evening a torchlight procession was held, in which the band, fire brigade, veterans, cadets, etc., took part, and for which the grotesque heads seen in New Plymouth on Easter Monday were used. The evening's entertainment included fancy dancing by the children, including a series of dances set to nursery rhymes, and a confetti ballet. On Saturday afternoon a Swedish drill competition will be held, for which there are very large entries, and the carnival will conclude with an auction sale. A further sale will take place on Monday, when a large quantity of live ■stock which has been donated will T)e sold at Urenni.