THE CARNIVAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1916, Page 4

THE CARNIVAL.

a* , . MX ARMIES PROPOSED. NEW PLYMOUTH COMMITTEES APPOINTED, The preliminary arrangements for the North I'anina.ki Battle of the Bullion were decided upon at a meeting of representative citizens of New Plymouth last night. Mr. ,)_ 10. Wilson presided over a, large attendance. Mr. W. Lints (the organiser) explained the lines on which the Battle of the Bullion would be managed. The Battle would extend over about five weeks. The first fortnight would be devoted to recruiting—the building up of the various armies—and the last three weeks would be devoted to the ."firing." Mr. C. Fairbrotlier said there was more money between New Plymouth and Rahotu than there was in 'the Opunake district, and some effort should be made to get the support of this district. He felt certain that if Okato and Rahotu were approached they would come in and support New Plymouth. Mr .1. McLeod said the expenses would easily be provided by the proceeds from the Fete of Nations, and all the money raised by the Battle of the Bullion would be handed 'to the Patriotic Committee. THE ORGANISER'S SALARYMr. Fairbrotlier said there was a desire amongst the country people to know more about what Mr. Lints was going to do for his salary of £2OO for about six! weeks work. Mr. McLeod said that this was the smallest salary yet paid to Mr. Lints for any similar work. His salary would come out of the proceeds of the Fete of Nations, and Mr. McLeod could give an absolute guarantee that every penny put into the Battle of the Bullion would reach the Patriotic Committee. The en, gagement of Mr. Lints extended over a period ■>{ three months. The whole expenses, including Mr. Lints' salary, would not be more than £!500, and the Fete of Nations would he "a big frost" if it did not produce more than 'that amount during the nine nights the performance would be held. Not a penny which went into 'the Battle of the Builion would go anywhere but to the Patriotic Committee,

Mr. Lints said that for organising the Gisborne Carnival he received £4OO, and at Tnvercargill he received over £SOO. He produced .{170,000 by the Wanganui Carnival at one per cent., while at Wellington, where there was no organiser, it cost five per cent, to raise £67,000. It was for thi3 organisation that he was being paid. „ _ ~ r A COAST ARMY. '*' The chairman said that as far as Okato was concerned steps were now being taken to get a Patriotic Society formed there. , Mr. Fairbrother said if there was a Coast Army there would be a splendid response. They were willing 'to help and they wanted the whole district to be worked. An army could be run in the district from New Plymouth to Opunake with the centre at Okato. Mr, Ooldsworthy said tha't several of the nio3t prominent farmers had stated that if it could be proved that the wounded soldiers would get eleven pence out of every ©hilling they would come into the scheme ito a man.

Mr. McLeod said that, as previously shown, twelve pence of every shilling would go to the soldiers. An absolute assurance could be given on this point. Mr. Fairbrother said he was confident that if the farmers' on the coast were told that not one penny of the money they raised would be deducted for expenses, they would come in. It was decided that the chairman, Messrs. Fairbrother, McLeod and Lints should visit Opunake on Friday night. Arrangements will also be made to visit Okato. «.•«

THE TOWN ARMIES. It was then decided ithat i\ew Plymouth, with the surrounding farming district, should enter three armies. The constitution of the armies, their titles, their colors, and itheir; organising committees were fixed as follows: The Yeomanry (Red).—Farmers, auctioneers, and dairy factories. Committee: Messrs. J R. Hill, L. A. Nolan, and C. Fail-brother. The Bombardiers (Blue). Warehousemen, commercial travellers, professional men, agents, and factories. Committee: Messrs (1 Ramson, 0. Fraser, R. T. McQuade, J. C. Nicholson, A. R. Standish, E. Humphries, and J. McLeod. The Grenadiers (Amber and Black).— Civil Service, railwaymen, retailers, sports, and general workers. Committee: Messrs. C Carter, A. E. Carver, S. I. Smith, J. Clarke, A. George, L. S. Dutton, M. Holah, S. Holah, W. Roch, and Captain Allen. LIST OF OFFICERS. . The armies, which it is now hoped to enter in the Battle are as follows: The Yeomanry, the Bombardiers, the Grenadiers, the North Taranaki Diehards, the Okato Army, and the Opunake Army.