NEW PLYMOUTH PIERROTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1918, Page 6

NEW PLYMOUTH PIERROTS.

'£3ooo. CAMPAIGN OTENED, The New Plymouth Pierrots opened' auspiciously yesterday their campaign for the purpose of raising £3OOO for local patriotic work, to be divided between the Patriotic Committee and the Women's Patriotic Committee. The particular feature <f the campaign curtain-raiser was a burlesque fancy-costume football match in the recreation ground. This turn proved a great interest-creator. The contestant*, known as the "roosters" and the "afterthoughts," with their various append- , ages, foregathered in Egmont Street, I from wlienca, headed by the Citizens' Band, they marched, in all their grotesque glory, to the playing arena. A large crowd gathered in the streets and followed the mirth-makers to the Park, where there was a large assemblage who thoroughly enjoyed an afternoon's fnll diversion. The teams took the field, led by a line umpire carrying a huge tricolor flag, and the respective sides lined up under their goal-posts and marched to meet each other in mid-field. Here, after being announced to the spectators by their chief crier, who medium of a big megaphone, they saluted each other in a war-cry of indistinguishable terms accompanied by appropriate gesticulations. The Mayoress was announced to give the "kickoff," and this opening item was the first of a series of highly amusing incidents cleverly arranged and well carried out during the afternoon. The ball "kicked off" by the Mayoress proved to be a balloon, which, immediately it was released, sailed swiftly upwards and disappeared over the treetops, much to the pretended chagrin of many of the players. The costumes in which the players took the field were the most wonderful and wicrd creations imaginable, and to essay a description of them would 'be to attempt the impossibleThe identity of the players was disguised about as completely a 9 could possibly he effected. Throughout the game the rweree showed a wholesome disregard for the rules of the game, and the players an even more wholesome disregard of the whistle, and the spectators were kept in shrieks of laughter throughout the afternoonWise provision had been made for possible exigencies of the play, and "Dr. Dick," with his limitless supply of "oxygen for winded footballers," was in conatant demand. This was pumped into exhausted players with severity, and to such extent in one case that the anatomy of the "winded one" swelled so visibly that he was provided with a "oouneing" corpulency that sent everyone that came into contact with him off with a tremendous rebound. One of the most popular scores of the day was that made by "Charlie Chaplin," who received the congratulations of the whole field. The game, which was played in a number of spells, terminated in a draw, the score being 11 all. A try was scored just on the call of time, but the referee disallowed it and "appealed to the. public for » verdict on the point, and was unanimously "upli?ld" in his decision. Throughout the game the services of the "ark of refuge," or horse ambulance, under the care at various times of Charlie Chaplin and the monkey of the party: was constantly requisitioned. One' unfortunate occurrence during the game was a somewhat heavy collision between two players, in which Mr. W. Wood sustained a broken nose. Dr. ißlackley was summoned, and attended to the injured man. Amongst other items of attraction was an exhibition of tight-wire walking 'by Messrs Wood (2). This was much enjoyed by the spectators. One of the performers had the misfortune to fall, and, in doing so, his halancingrod struck a hoy somewhat sharply as he was seated on the Ismail stand just close to the wire. He was not seriously hurtThere was also an obstacle race for boys. This consisted in negotiating a sheep-net, raised up from the ground on four short posts, crawling under a ■big tarpaulin which had been pegged down to the ground, and also in getting under a rail, which was secured just a few inches from the groundFinally, they had to sort out their boots and stockings, which had bee*n mixed up in a barrel, put them on, and make the winning-post. The winners were: F. Xewall 1, C. Hagenson 2, and Ken Taylor 3. Another diversion was announced as the "rooster stunt," in which the big J>ird "swallowed" the length of 'tubing" attached to "Dr. Dick's" oxvgen outfit. Meanwhile his companion "hen" succeeded in laying a monster egg in a "nest" which had been specially set out in the middle of the grounds. Throughout the afternoon various competitions were initiated, and a Jarge number of the surprise packet envelopes were sold The Women'** Patriotic Committee also had a sweets and flower stall, at which good business was done. It is expected the outing will yield well over £IOO.