COMFORTS' WEEK CAMPAIGN.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1916, Page 6

COMFORTS' WEEK CAMPAIGN.

successful orama i SPECTACULAR PEOCBSSIOIT. The Comforts Week campaign, 'which was successfully initiated on Sunday by a service of song, was :ontinuod yesterday, when, thanks tc the splendid weather, the programme for the day was a gratifying success. A holiday was observed by local tradespeople, and hundreds of visitor.', came from Opuna!;e, Gkato, Hawera Inglowdod, Strai'ord, and oilier country towns. THE PROCESSION. A spectacular procession, featuring the bands, soldiers, trade tableaux, decorated vehicles, and school children, opened the proceedings, Those takingpart assembled in Devon street, and then followed a pre-arranged march through the main thoroughfares of the town. They returned through Devon street, and proceeded via T.iai'det street to Pukckura Park. Colonel Okey, who acted ;r; marshal, led the way, and after him came the Citizens' Band, playing patriotic airs. The bandsmen were attired in the costumes of pierrots, and their appearance was very effective. The Junior Band came next, and following was a large vehicle carrying over 30 veterans. A group ot returned soldiers, under Captain flartnell, made a brave show as tl'ey marched along behind the veterans.

Three boy scouts, bearing the Union Jack', the Anzac Hag find the New Zealand flag, formed a conspicuous feature of the display. RAILWAY'S AMBUiLAXCIi Xext in order was a large white vehicle, bearing the in?isruia of tJis Red Cross, and the word?, "X.Z.R. Ambulance Car." The whole pioduetion wa< the work of the raihvaymeii, and it evoked much admiration and applause. Inside the ears were four beds, stretchers, and all appliances for tending the wounded, while two trained nurses, Misses Corkill and Greatbatch, -were in'attendance. It was a splendid turn-out, and the Red Cross railwayman who accompanied had a successful collecting day, gathering in £7 4s o'/jrt. The Fire Brigade mustered _ in full number, and took its place in the display with their motor-engine and two reels. The retinue of private cars was led by one in which were seated the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr: and Mrs. 0. H. Bulge's), Mr. H. J. Okey, M.P., and Mr. W "-T. Chanev.

Interesting trade exhibits were made. One represented the boot industry, another the Painters' and Decorators' Union, and another the Taranaki oil industry. Galiy-bedeckcd hor-:e and motor-vehicles followed.

A troop of boy scouts; including the sea scouts, who were mounted on a lorry with their boat, and a large number of school children also participated. The loute was lined with spectators, who watched with interest the progress of the procession. On returning to Uardet street, a gathering of gailv-at-tired juveniles, many of whom had decorated exhibits and parasols, joined the procession, which was considerably over half a mile in length.

AT THE 'PARK. | The Park was reached in good lime, j and tlm exhibitors paraded before a great gathering of people there. Stalls were erected at various points in the beautiful "rounds, and at these refreshments, sweets, produce, ices and flowers wore sold by voluntary workers on behalf of the fund. The public patronised the stalls very liberally, and' the stallholders were kept busy all the afternoon. The names of the stalls, and those assisting at them, are as follows—

Gollivo? Stall.—Misses Pelham, Wilson, Chattcrton, Avery, Corkill, and Billiard.

Flower Stall—Mr?. Gibson, Misses Fabian. Sole, Barry, and Solway. Red-whitc-arul-blne .Sweets Stall.— Mesdames If. .1. White, .T. S. Leitrh. Sharp?, Wilks, Misses Leiteh and Cl)ong. Vogeltown Tea Stall. —Mesdames R. Cock, F. W. Okcy, Carter, jr. Hea!,v v Da'bb, G. W. Rro.tvne, Misses Jtealy ("2), Browne. Okev. Bennett (2), Putt ( 3), and Messrs. 'ft. W. Browne, Dobb, and Masters, Clem Healy, I.eo Bridgeman. Art UniSn.—.Misses Warren and Hammond.

Omata. and Moturoa, refreshments, produce and sweets stalls. —Mesdames Honeyiield, Clemow, Moore, A. Mace, Spence, Bayly, Misses Wells, Blewman, Honeyiield, Oliver, Macdonald, Mace <2), Penwarden, M. Moore, D. Pease, and Johns.

Junible Stall. —Mrs. Lennon, Misses Hame-'cn. Devenish, Ingley, Howson and Curtis.

Fitzroy ladies' Afternoon Tea. —Mesdames Foote, Fcnwick, Rennell, Gibson, ilall, Dxenham, Griffiths, liellringer, Taylor. Jenkins. Misses Oxenham, Hall, Lee. Coison, Francis, and Coombes. Westowii Ladies and Patriotic Committee, Afternoon Tea.—Mesdames Haddrell, S'toeker, Xeal, Blundell, Clarke ana Misses Reube (2). Swset.;' aad Ice-cream.—Mrs. DennyBrown, .Misses F. Winfield, K. Leatham, B. Matthews, W. Webster, W. Bradbury. .Masters Meal, Butler and McLean.

Marquee Sia'.ls. —Lollies: LUesdames Ambury, J. Morev, McDonald and Miss Ramsoui. Cakes and bread: Mrs. Courtney, Kingdon, Misses Norman (•2). Produce: Mesdames Dockrill. Addonbrooke and J. Wilson. drinks: Mr. R. J. Dcaro.

COMPETITION AV.'ARD3; -Messrs A. Mcl. EraJmrv, .1. Gibson and .T, Rollo were judges for the vehicle and car displays, and made the following awards:— Trade-men's e^ivoss. —,T. MeXcill Patriotic dray.—A. A. Renner. The judges spoke very highly of this display, which was an excellent one in every re.vpect. Patriotic motor car.—M. L. Holali. Decorated ear, other than lloral.— Newton King (a most effective display, in which khaki predominated). Decorated car, lloral.—J. H. Streei (broom) 1, Miss J. Terry, Inglewood (arum l.ilie;) 2, H. Coodacrc (silver pine) 3. Trades tableaux. —?nn«t of St. Crispin bootmaker:-) 1, Painters' Union 2. ('i\vo very creditable productions, the winning one being especially striking). Floral decorated vehicle.—Mrs. H. fiaodaws (phaeton) I, Douglas Ba'.lant,/:!0 (pony trap) 2. liK'.'jsirinl di play. Taranaki Oil V.'?l.'s. Ltd. (» cainj>re!is'.!sivc and most attractive exhibit). C?«?ral laborer*' u'.-rp'iy.-- Eorough Council (horses well eared for and harness kept in good orderjr

Caricature.—Newton King (''King's Artillery, from the Currie street factory.'' An effective and amusing unit, distinctly novel). A special certificate will be awarded to the Red Cross van.

OIIILLMaEVS EXHIBIT! Fancy dress (girls): 11. Hoddcr (Union .lack) 1, E. Bellringer (pierettc) 2 Fancy dress (bovs).—ll. Bellringor (beef-eater) 1, M. Roebuck (mad-Lat-ter) 2. Decorated doll's pram. —'Roebuck (Okato) 1. Decorated tricycle—Roebuck (Okato) Parasols. —J Jenkins 1, Scott 2. G'o-cart—ll. and B. Ford. Pet.—M. Neil (dog). Most original costume.—Misses Ihll (Winter). Ambulance.—iX. and Elsie Parker, Fitzroy. Special certificates were awarded Bertha Coleman, Cecil Smith and Hotard Bp.rton, who. as pierrots, accompanied the band in the procession, which was led 'by Master Smith drawing a gocart in which was a standing figure of Britannia. Soldiers Comforts Week.—Two.

THE GAMES. There was only one side-show on the ground, visitors having plenty to occupy themselves with in patronising the various, stalls. On the "roe." however were several most effective "turns" by school children. These proved most spectacular and aroused keen interest. The physical drill exercises by the Fitzl'oy anl West End schools were splendidly done, and reflected much credit upon their instructors. A Red Cross display of marching and figures by the Central Sc'hool children was another taking item that caused the hillsides to resound with applause. A repetition of the. items by each school would have been greatly appreciated by tlie public, who felt (and with some reason, too) that this portion of the programme had been unduly curtailed. Mr. .1. R. Hill was very successful in conducting a chain-stepping competition, the winner turning up in Mr. L. A. Nolan. As a "side-show," Mr. Jaß. Clarke and his confreres did good business in selling "smokes for soldiers" and "Kill the Kaiser'' helped to swell the founds.

EVES IXG ENTERTAIN MENT. There was a large assemblage at the Ptikekura Park last evening,, when an open.air entertainment was given by the Citizens' Band in connection with the Comforts Week campaign. The Boorugh Council's electrical staff had erected colored electric globes along the north shore of the lake and Around tile grand stand, and when the liglii liail been turned on, the illuminations and their reflections in the still water* of the lake had a brilliant effect. .Many people wended their way round the lake and enjoyed the music and the illuminition3 from the Poet's Bridge. Others made use of the I'ioats on the lake, and thorov:;My enjoyed themselves. The follow;.)™ programme was played by the band, and was much appreciated: March, "New .>!onial, A. B. Hall; selection, '•'Memories of Balfe," Round; overture, "Pied Viper," Greenwood; nioreeau, Pomona": waltz, ''Poetry of Motion," Bueaelossi; selection, "Mikado," Sullivan; c.uickstep, "Perseverance," Andrews; God Save the King.

Nex't Wednesday night is "school night" at the Coronation Hall. There will be a sweets stall .n connection with the entertainment, and in two of the boxes to be sold will be placed valuable prizes. A cake presented by Mrs. 0. If. Firth will be the prize for a guessing' competition.

The committee who have in band the arrangements for the visit of the Wanganui Hussars on Friday and Saturday next met on Saturday evening, when very satisfactory progress was reported. A number of articles to be sold by "the beggars" have been received, snd manv more are promised. The "beggars" will be met at the station on Friday night, when the freedom of the city will bt conferred on the Mayor ot the Pierrots, who will in turn extend the courtesy to the visitors. They will then be escorted to the Coronation Hall, and business will commence.