QUEEN CROWNED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 March 1941, Page 5

QUEEN CROWNED

CONCLUSION OF MASTERTON CARNIVAL PAGEANTRY IN THE PARK. SATURDAY'S FINE DISPLAY. The Masterton Patriotic Committee’s Queen Carnival campaign to raise the local quota for the £1.000.000 Patriotic Appeal was brought to a lilting close on Saturday when the coronation of the Air Force Queen. Miss Jose Hosking, took place at the Park Oval. The Oval and its vicinity was packed with spectators. Headed by the band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, a procession, including those taking part in the ceremony, left the Municipal Hall for the Park, via Jackson. Queen and Park streets. The route was well lined with spectators. Following, the Air Force Band came a company of men drawn from the local Territorial unit. Their general turnout and erect bearing occasioned much favourable comment. An excellent model of the Achilles, a group of Maoris on a decorated vehicle and a Red Cross ship manned by Hospital nurses followed. The Masterton Municipal Band led the next section, which included nine cars conveying the coronation party and another party on white chargers. The Queen was conveyed in a beautifully decorated floral float, escorted by horsemen. Children from all the schools in the district, carrying Union Jacks, and the Wairarapa College Pipe Band were also conspicuous features of the procession. At the Park a dias had been built in the middle of the Oval and the ground roped off to leave an avenue from thegrandstand to the throne on the dias, so that everyone could see the ceremony. The proceedings commenced with the singing of the National Anthem. Following a fanfare of trumpets played by the Air Force Band, a proclamation was read from the throne by Mr. R. Page, after which a mass choir sang a welcoming chorus. The coronation party then arrived and walked down the avenue to the throne. The Lord Chamberlain, Mr. E. M. Hodder, presented the Queen to the people amidst prolonged applause. The crowning ceremony was performed by the Lord High Chancellor, Mr Neal Irwin. The queen's gown was of white charmeuse cut on flowing lines. A long train of crimson velvet, trimmed with ermine created a regal effect. The ensemble was completed by a golden coronet. The train-bearers were Margaret Costello and Margaret Buckeridge, who wore pink and white satin tunics. The princesses were Mrs. Norman Beetham. junr., and Miss Dorrie Todd. Mrs. Beetham was attired in gold lame and Miss Todd wore a frock of green georgette. Both wore long green and gold trains and Prince of Wajes feathers in their hair. They were attended by two pages, Pat Bouzaid and Janet Berney, who wore satin tunics of pastel shadings. The chief page was Josephine Mackley, who was also crown-bearer. Barbara Harcombe was sceptre carrier; Josephine Jameson, carrier of the orb, and Sheila Norman was sword bearer.

The heralds were Vivian Hugo and Monica Fagan, who stood at the ends of the staging. The Court jester, Mi’ F. Price, filled his position admirably. The Nursing Queen, Miss Barbara Barton, wore a gown of mulberrycoloured velvet. A train of coffeecoloured satin was attached to the frock. Miss Barton was attended by Princesses Isabel Barton and Nancy Morrison, who were attired in blue watered silk and blue taffeta respectively. Both wore coronets in their hair. Barbara Lee and Heather Robertson. who wore satin tunics, were the train bearers.

The Navy Queen. Miss Audrey Burling, wore floral taffeta. Her blue satin train was lined with mauve. She was attended by Princesses Alys Harding and Catherine Maunsell, who wore blue and green patterned frocks respectively. Edna Davis and Barbara Mannering were the pages. The Army Queen, Miss Marion Holdsworth, wore a gown of gold satin, with a graceful golden-green train. Princesses Norah Robinson, shot blue taffeta, and Phyllis Cretney, blue georgette, were in attendance Margaret Traynor and Helen Cunningham were the trainbearers.

All the queens wore tiaras. Children representing the various schools presented emblems of loyalty, peace, courage, wisdom and honour. Representatives of the Maori and Chinese races and Allied nations followed. Those taking part included Mary On Hing, Geoff Jaine, Edna Burling, Waireka Nini, Diana Maunsell, Yvonne Saunders, Vivienne Rich and Daniell Davey.

Following the queen's speech from the throne, honours were conferred on Messrs. J. A. Betts. Norman Lee, G. Whyborn, A. P. Bennett and J. T. Jameson.

A brief address was given by the Mayor, Mr. T. Jordan, chairman of the Patriotic Committee, in which he thanked the committee responsible for their efforts.

After a chorus by the combined choirs, the Royal party departed. The band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force gave an exhibition of slow and quick marching, which was well received.

The staging of the coronation ceremony reflected great credit on the untiring efforts of Mrs. E. J. Rich. The tracking and dressing were under the direction of Mesdamcs J. A. Betts and H. E. Pither. The floral float in the procession was the work of Mr. H. L. Esau and members of the Navy-Nursing Committee. CONCLUDING FUNCTION. DANCE IN MUNICIPAL HALL There was an attendance of 700 at a dance held in the Municipal Hall at night. A modified repeat performance of the coronation ceremony took place on the stage. Music for the coronation proceedings and for the dancing up to 10 o’clock was supplied by Jack Barnes's Orchestra. and for the rest of the evening by the dance band section of the Air Force Band. The convenor of the dance commit, tee was Mrs. G. Beecroft. The M'sC. were Messrs. J. J. Hunter. O. V. Berry and R. Costello.

Presentations to the queens and princesses were made on behalf of the Central Patriotic Committee and the public by Mr. J. T. Jameson. The gathering proved a suitable closing for the carnival.