THE CARNIVAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 January 1916, Page 3

THE CARNIVAL.

'A BATTLE FOR '£50,000. „_. SCHEME FOR NEXT MONTH. Considerable interest is already gathering around the Carnival, and the scheme is 'becoming the outstanding topic of the day. Reports from many pa.-ts of Taranaki indicate a feeling that if the Carnival is to meet with the success its object deserves a united effort is required—every part of the province must combine and work together for the single object of raising a large sum of money for the wounded soldiers. But whatever attitude is adopted by the different districts it still remains for the promoters of the Carnival to go ahead and work upon whatever areas will come in. This question will be tested at the meeting of the Taranaki War Relief Executive at Stratford tomorrow, when a deputation representing the organisers of the Carnival" will wait upon-the executive with the object of formulating a Taranaki scheme. The out'coine of to-morrow's meeting will clear the way for the progress of arrangements, for as soon as the area to to be embraced by the Carnival is decided upon dates and other arrangements can be settled. The period now in view for the Carnival is the latter part of February. Mr. W. Lints, the organiser, is actively at work in New Plymouth at present mapping out the details of the scheme, and he states that everywhere he is meeting with support and enthusiasm. Carnivals arranged by Mr. Lints in Wanganui and other places have met with conspicuous success, and there is Tto reason why Taranaki should not prove equally promising ground.

BATTLE OF THE BULLION'. A Battle of tlio Bullion will provide the great attraction of the Carnival, and the various armies -will aim at capturing Hill £50,000. The scheme provides for {he organisation of an army by each town or district, and the tussle will be provided >by competition in increasing each army. To provide an army money is employed on the following basis:—The armies represented by the money paid in hy the rival fighting armies, in accordance with a definite scale of value, as: 200 privates at Is each, £10; 16 lance-corporals at £l, £10; 10 corporals at £2, £2O; 8 sergeants at £5, £4O; one quartermastersergeant at £lO, £10; two lieutenants at £2O, £4O; one captain at £6'4, £64; total. £2OO. This is the constitution of a company. Four companies constitute a regiment ( £S00), for which, in addition, there must be provided one mafor ( £75) and one colonel ( £125), making the value of a complete regiment £IOOO. Every shilling given represents a soldier, and, roughly speaking, £lO adds 200 men to the strength of the army for whose benefit the amount is paid at headquarters. Every section of workers must, however, provide a regiment ( £1000), antl then increase it with men and officers in .proportion. The army which can show the largest scoring army at the conclusion of the campaign will be the winner of Hill £50,000. While each section pays in to strengthen its own army, the conditions provide that money may he employed to weaken an army that has become too strong.

'A FETE OF NATIONS. 'A Fete of Nations, an entertainment on an unusually elaborate scale, will be one of the outstanding features of the Carnival, and it will be held for nine nights. Among the items to be included in the programme will be a Dutch dance by a squad of ladies. This item was staged at Invereargill thirtythree times during a season of fourteen nights. Another item which took VVanganui by storm was 'Bubbles,'' which includes the song, "Float On," by a soloist who makes her entrance in a chariot drawn by six fairies. The chorus of thirty girls, who use inflate'd balloons, gives the item a most spectacular effect. "Teach me to float on the rolling sea," is always a star item in this number. The soloist is supported by a chorus of eight ladies with a special dance, and this item also concludes with an acrobatic dance. Tiie whole programme consists of over thirty separate and distinct items, which include nil the latest dances and songs. The Grand March of the Allies, it is understood, will eclipse anything of its kind yet staged in New IPlymouth. ~Mr. Lints has brought a piece of revolving electrical gear containing over ninety lamps for this item, and the effect is greatly added to. The organiser expects to begin training the artists for the Fete of Nations in a week's fime.

SPORTS TOURNAMENTS. The, support of the various sports bodies in Taranaki will 'be called for, and the suggestion lias been made that tournaments should be arranged. Bowlers, tennis players and golfers in Taranaki will all have an opportunity to join in the carnival. When the list of the various armies is drawn up the sports bodies will be able to combine and give their united support to some particular army, and by holding tournaments they wil be able, to procure funds which will greatly strengthen their forces, In the case of bowlers a Taranaki tournament on the lines of the annual gathering could be arranged, while for tennis players it is suggested that a Taranaki ladies' tournament should be held. The idea of a golf tournament was mentioned to some of the officials' of the New Plymouth Club yesterday, and they at once fell in with the proposal. A splendid nine-hole course is now available at Waiwakaiho, and it is not unlikely that it would be possible to use the full eightoen-hole course in February. It is considered that a tournament open to any golfers would attract good entries, as golfers would appreciate the opportunity of renewing their pastime in February. While the tournaments will be held at New Plymouth, it does not follow that all the proceeds will go to New Plymouth armies. The proceeds would he apportioned to the various towns according to the number of competitors each town was represented by.

A GALA DAY. Some weeks ago the (Patriotic Committee decided to hold a gala day to mark the opening of the train* die proceeds to be devoted to one of i.ie. oairiotic funds, and since then the proposal was made that the function should be embraced in the Carnival. T.a.st night a meeting was held in the Town Hall of representatives of the Patriotic Committee and of the different I'oresbore Committees, Mr. V. Carter presiding, for the purpose of agreeing on a united move on that occasion. It was decided that the jrala day should be held-,.and that it should be. made part of the Carnival programme. The day for liold- -\ tlm ju*w>tian Q\pi\ for ft.

and it was decided to ask the Borough Council to make this the opening day of the trains. The Foreshore Committee met afterwards, and decided to leave the organisation of a picnic for the demonstration on that day in the hands of the Carnival Committee. They agreed to place their reserves at the disposal of the Carnival Committee and to assist tuem in every way they can.