CHILDREN AT PLAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1915, Page 6

CHILDREN AT PLAY.

CENTRAL SCHOOL CARNIVAL. FOR HOSPITAL FUNDS. SPLENDID PROCESSION AND SPORTS N NEARLY £250 REALISED. The Central School Carnival held in Pnkekura Park yesterday afternoon was a brilliant success, and provided a variety of amusements for over four thousand people. It was an enjoyable outing for young and old, but really it was a great play day for the school children of New Plymouth, and in glorious summer sunshine amidst the fresh and picturesque surroundings of the park, they spent an afternoon which, to them, will be retained in memory with those Nttle landmarks which add joy to school days. This is the third annual carnival which has been held in connection with the Central School, and all the happy features which children remembered appeared again yesterday brighter ana better than ever, while there was a budget of new attractions. Even the elements joined heartily in the conspiracy to make the day a memorable one. Nothing more pretty or effectual in the way of a gala spectacle has ever taken place in New Plymouth, and the children revelled in it from morning to evening. They sustained a magnetic animation throughout the afternoon, showing no signs of fatigue, but only eagerness and zest, and even when the end came hundreds of children showed a reluctance to go home. The children gave free play to all their youthful instincts in sports, they paraded in fancy costumes and found fun at the side-shows, they gave splendid exhibitions of various kinds of exercises, they tripped merrily round the maypole, and generally enjoyed themselves, while also providing the spectators with a full measure of amusement. And above all was the thought that in their pleasure the children were nobly assisting their brothers at the war by providing them with care and comfort, for the carnival was in aid, of No. 1 New Zealand Stationary Hospital and for providing comforts for those going to the front, with the highly satisfactory result ithat an amount approaching £'2so was realised.

THJJ PROCESSION. J A striking feature was the procession, which was acknowledged to be one of the best ever seen in New Plymouth. Towards midday the town filled with people eager to witness the spectacle and by one o'clock, whert the procession moved off, the route of the procession through the town was lined with crowds of people. The holiday spirit was abroad and in the hot sunshine the crowd awaited with suppressed happiness the signal for the day's fun to begin. Lieut. - Colonel F. T. Bellringer was the chief marshal and he had a busy task in attending to the great number of vehicles "dressed for parade," which assembled outside the old drill hall in Gill Street. Shortly after one o'clock the Citizens' Band took its place at the head of the procession, which extended from past the drill hall well up into St. Aubvn Street, and, with a stirring march, the band stepped off and released the pageant for the journey to Pukekura Park. To describe it as a pageant is not to belittle that expression, for the most optimistic could not have expected to see such a splendid and varied array. There was an extravagance of tasteful and vivid decorations on a great variety of vehicles representing equally varied phases of business life, while the comic element was generously provided. On all hands the procession drew spontaneous applause from the spectators, who cheered it op its way. After passing along St. Aubvn Street the procession turned into Queen Street, entering Devon Street at the Post Office corner. As the procession slowly wound its way down the hill into the town one had visions of one of those grotesque reptilian creatures which are happily only found in the pages of children's books, the great variety of color and form employed intensifying this aspect, and when the tail swept round the corner the head was well up the further rise of Devon Street. Every section of this glad chain arrested attention by its beauty of decoration, its novelty, or its mirtli-provoking features. There were grotesque fellows, ®ay and serious, who would.be more at home in fairyland, a weird band- composed of ragged lads who would do credit to any street in the East End of London, a variety of beautifully decorated vehicles, and some splendidly arranged trade displays. The predominant note was a patriotic one, for the colors of the Aliles flew gaily here and there.

SOME FINE DISPLAYS. Immediately following the band were "Mr. and Mrs. Tiny." This couple has been seen in the streets of New Plymouth before, but they are cheery folk and their grotesque attitudes produced roars of laughter. There were many children in fancy dress, including the following:—Eileen Moller, Noel Moller (Maori), Daisy Reed (England and France), Maud Roper (Red Cross nurse), Dorothy Smale (England), M. Bennoch (tattered Belgian), A. Bennoch (clown), T. Bennoch (sundowner), and C. Spurdle, who was dressed in a little khaki uniform and appealed to all to "Help the Wounded Soldiers." At the rear of the procession was the ragtime band with its wonderful collection of instruments. Ampng other displays which caused hearty laughter was the one-horse shay in which Uncle Rastus and Auntie Clo drove to the park. Mr. P. J. Flannagan's troupe of donkeys were ridden by several gaily-dressed youngsters, and added a picturesque touch to the scene. There was a long string of decorated motor ears, the first of which contained the Mayor (Mr. C. 11. Burgess) and a few members of the executive committee. Other cars, which wore prettily decorated, included those of Miss Bishop, Mrs. J. Hawkins, Messrs G. Gibson, T W. Ward, J. McNeill, and M. L. Holali. A splendid display was made by Messers May and Co. with seven decorated bakers' carts. Each of these was tastefully got up in the colors of one of the Aliles, Britain leading the way with red, white and blue ribbons. The other carts repre--1 sented Russia, Italy, France, Belgium, Japan, and Serbia. Other decorated carts were those of Messrs P. Leafand, City Meat Stores, Lealand Bros., W. E. 1 Uendall and Co., Sole Bros., C. Bond and J. Lister. Mrs. A. F. Ennis drove a decorated gig, and Miss Ivy Doughty rode a decorated bicyple. The posters included those of Messrs J. K. Hawkins and Co.) A. Vealet and C. Carter. The City

Meat Stores had a lad riding a little pony, and the Taranaki Motor Transport Company had one of their big char-a-bancs in the procession. The trade displays were particularly effective. Mr. Newton King had a motor lorry, on which were piles upon piles of Amber Tips tea boxes. Messrs Burgess, Fraser and Co. made a good display of Desert Gold tea, whilst Messrs Bellringer Bros, were represented by a miniature castle of Portland cement. The Hygienic Tea Rooms were shown 011 a lorry, visitors being helped to afternoon tea by the staff. The Red Post Furnishing Company had a striking display, showing a number of employees at work, while Messrs Boon Bros, had a similar display, and Mr. M. 0. Butcher provided a scene of a branch of the work carried on at his carriage building factory. The Technical College was represented by two impressive and instructive exhibits. The first of these showed boys of the engineering class, clad in overalls, busily attending to the forge and also working at other engineering implements. .Inst behind were the commercial and agricultural boys energetically typing, and carrying out milk tests.

THE PROCESSION AWARDS. Meanwhile all roads had led to Pulceknra Park, where the large crowd that hail assembled was greatly increased by the crowds which followed the procession. The arrival of the procession in the park was the signal for generous lengthy cheering, and when the pageant passed on to the arena and moved round in a complete circle it provided an imposing spectacle. This gave Mr. A. M. Bradbury an opportunity to judge the displays, and he made the following awards:—

Best working exhibit. —TSoon Bros. 1, Hygienic Bakery 2,

Best patriotic display.—May and Arrowsmith 1.

Best trade display.—Mr. Newton King (Amber Tips Tea), 1. Most original trade display.—Bell-, ringer Bros. (Wilsorfs Cement) i. Best decorated vehicle.—Mrs. Ennis, trap and pony, 1. Best decorated motor-car.—Mrs. C. 11. Burgess, 1. Best decorated bicycle.—Miss Doughty, Best poster.—Dorothy Smale, "John Bull," 1. Best fancy costume. —Tommy Bennoch, a swagger, 1. SPORT ON THE ARENA.

The round of amusements on the arena was then set Hi motion, and the afternoon was occupied with an interesting programme, while the proceedings were enlivened by an enjoyable programme of music by the Citizens' Band. The first display of physical drill by sixty boys from the Central School, under Mr. Threadgill, physical instructor to the Education Department. The boys went through a number of movements in a manner which drew demonstrative applause from the onlookers. A may-pole dance by a number of girls from the Central School was a very o'eity performance. and reflected great credit on the girls and the excellent training tliev had received from Miss Drake. A flag march by pupils from the West End School, under Miss Ada O'Brien, ssr'ously challenged tjie former event for spectacular effects, while a rainbow dance, performed by twenty-four Central School girls, under Miss Dempsey, drew general admiration by the excellent way in which the manoeuvres were carried o'Jt. and by the color effects. But aeautifrl as were these displays, thev were eclipsed by the striking effect of the March of the Allies. This exhibition comprised companies of girls representing Englana (red, white and blue), the Colonics (white, with blue stripe bearing), Ireland (emerald green), Scotland (heliotrope), Russia (red, white and blue), France (white and red stripes), Belgium (yellow and red), and Italy (green, white and red). Some striking evolutions were carried out, and then, ;rom a •'mixup,'' which suggested hopeless chaos, order was cleverly made by a series of movements which produced further impressive effects, and enhanced the beauty of the spectacle. Much credit is due to Miss Dempsey, who, assisted by Mr. Day, was responsible for arranging this splendid display. An exhibition of Swedish drill by a number ot boys and girls from the Waihi .School, under Mr. Bullans, wfis very well done. Graceful and attractive was a hoop march by girls from the Convent' School, and pupils from the High School were responsible for some fine displays. A team of boys, under Sergt. Bruce, gave a fine exhibition of bayonet exercises, while a number or girls gave an interesting exhibiton of first aid and ambulance work. Gymnastics formed the subject of good work by pupils from the the Fitzroy School, and an interesting feature was a patriotic display by sixty Central School boys under Mr. Day.

THE LIGHTER SIDE. While these displays thoroughly pleased the spectators, there was a lighter side to the programme which gave enjoyment to young and old. The sideshows were numerous and varied. The Kaiser came in for a particularly bad time. By a unique device people were given the opportunity of "choking the Kaiser" by placing money in his mouth, for silver you could enjoy the satisfaction of having "shies at the Kaiser," while in other ways you were able to disturb his peace, and help to swell the funds. All sorts of other mediums were employed to amuse and to make money, and in this department Messrs L. Hoffmann, S. J. Smith, Sergt.-Major Williamson, and others were primarily responsible for the work of keeping the fun flowing. Golf putting, on a decidedly green "green", was a source of much amusement.

Set in pretty surroundings underneath the trees surrounding the arena were several stalls, at which excellent business was done. An attractive sweet stall was provided by the Victoria League, and was in charge of Misses Brewster, R. Clarke, Wliitcombe, M. Thomson, M. Corkill, A. Bullard, and E. Greatbach. Other stalls were: — Sweets and ice cream, Mrs. Moverley; temperance stall, Mrs. Hoffmann; produce stall, Mrs. Wilkes and Miss Jameson; fancy work stall, Mesdames Dempsey, Firth, and Martin; Christmas tree and bran tub, Misses Henderson, Wilson, and Glceson; cigarette stall, Miss Anthony. An important feature of such entertainments is the afternoon tea, and the Mayoress (Mrs. C. H. Burgess) is to be congratulated on the excellent arrangements made. The tea tables were arranged under the trees near the band stand and around the top lake, and no more charming surroundings could have been found. Such was the extent of the arrangements that three separate committees had the work In hand, and, assisted by large numbers of young ladies, they have the reward of knowing tliey gave complete satisfaction. The committees comprised:—Mesdames Burgess, Blundell, Colvile, Fair, Eberlet, Hursthouse, Courtney, K. Webster, Freeth, Bowden, Ewing, Foote, A. Robertson, D, White, G, Neale, Dinnis, Johns, Am-

bury, Stocker, White, J. Wilson, Carter, Matthews, Chappell, and Misses Devenish, Godfrey, Avery, artd Marshall. They received valuable assistance from Mrs. Fetch, Mrs. Tanner, and Misses McCoy and Sole. COMPETITIONS. The baby competition attracted a good deal of interest, and the results of the various classes were as follows: Babies under 18 months (32 entries): Barton ltevell 1, Kenneth K, Hawkins 2, Narissa Baldock 3. Babies under nine months (24 entries): Newton Cramer 1, Esmond Asquitli 2, Alec. Mackie 3. Twins: Win. and Mabel Schwam and Mrs. 11. Moon's twins tied for first place. The tug-of-war provided plenty of interest for the boys and produced keen competition. The competition was confined to school boys, and a side consisted of eight boys. Entries were received from Bell Block, Central School (two teams), Frankley Road, Fitzroy, Omata, West End, and Waihi, After some excellent contests Bell Block and West End were left in the final, which resulted in a victory for Bell Block.

An interesting competition which was responsible for much enjoyment was the discovery of "Abe Potash." A certain gentleman was set down as "Abe Potash" and tickets were sold to people, who were required to seek the gentleman. They could accost anyone, and on discovering the man they would receive half a sovereign. The winner was a lad, Bracken Wilson, who found that Mr. J. Hayden was posing as "Abe,"

THE FINANCIAL RESULT. It is expected the -amount which will be realised by the Carnival will not be far short of £2so—a splendid result on which the school is to be heartily congratulated. The returns available last night show that £23!] Is Id is in hand, and there are some further amounts to come in. The details are: Gate takings £llO Os, afternoon tea £34- 18s Bdi auction sale £25 19s, fancy work stall £l3 13s lid,.temperance stall £ll 10s 10d, "Kaiser Bill" and "Hoop La" £lO 4s -2d, Mrs. Moverley'g stall £lO 4s 2d, Victoria League stall £7 6s Sd, general items £3 0s lid, Miss Connie Spurdle's (Waitara) collection £1 3s. The officials responsible for the arrangements did splendid work. Mr, H. Dc-mpsey, headmaster of the school, was a particularly hard worker, and he was ably assisted" by Messrs F. T. Bellringer, S. G. Smith, P. J. 'Flanagan, J. R. Hill, N. D. Day and others. \