CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL AT HAMILTON.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2237, 9 November 1886, Page 2

CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL AT HAMILTON.

Tun inhabitants of tho Waikato will certivinlv not lack amusement (luring the ensuing Chi istmas season. In addition to tho usual spot ts and races wo are promised a grand Christmas Carniv.il and Inter national FiHo, which is now in prepaiation by tho parishioner-, of S. Peter's Hamilton, in aid of their Chinch fund--. As will be seen from the f blowing brief outline, this entertainment— or lather series of ontei tiiinmonts— will be on a scale far beyond anything hitherto attempted in the Waikato, and cannot fail to piove not only .1 source of amusement, but also a means of education to those who have never visited the various countries which will be represented. As indicated in its second title, the entertainment is intended to illustrate tho costumes and customs of various nationalities. A number of small buildings will be erected, designed to illustrate some salient feature in the architecture of each country, and the ladies in attendance will be dressed in the coi responding national costumes. Great care has been taken to nrike all the details as accurate as possible, and at least one court will be in charge of a lady a native of the country represented The list includes a French shop for the sale of goods, with B Milognese, Normandy, Brittany, and other French costumes ; an Indian museum, attended by Indies dressed in costumes of that cmntiy; a Swis-. stall, with costumes of the various cantons ; a Dutch museum, illustrating 1 th • products and customs of the laud of djkeand camls, the ladies wealing tho qu tint headgear of Noith and South Holland and the p.ctuiesrjue costume of Zeeland and other provinces. Again, our local sharp shooters will bo able to test their skill at a Tyrolese shooting gillery. From Spain omes a picture gallery, which it is antici pated will be a sin prise to all lovers of art. The .same sunny land funi^hes a couit of tho Alhambra, t<> which its ancient dn signers will return in the persons of a Moorish fortune-teller and her attendants. Norway will contribute that familhr iu-ti tution of Northern Europe, a Christm ittree; whilst last, but not least, "the fatherland" furnishes solid "enteitiin rnent*' in the form of a German restaurant; and lest Wiener Schnitzeln or Lebervvuivt fail to tempt the palatc,lighter refreshment* will be provided at an ice cream stall. The fe"te will be held in the Oddfellow's Hall, and in order to obtain the necessary accomodation a large temporary stiucture will bo added, and Sydney Square will also bo utilised for out door sports. A bpecial feature will be made of the decorations of tho building-, foi which purpose some hundreds of (lags and shields have boen made, the effect of vvhic'i combined with vaiious buildings and brilliant costumes cannot fail to be mo-t sti iking. There will bo special entertainments on the .stage or in the square at certain hour* each day. The programme of which will be, as follows : — Subject to modification in detail. Monday, December 27th, at 1 p.m. Procession of children in costume with band, &c, to Sydney Srjuaio with Maypole danc3 and other rural pistimes. At 7, hall opened for viewing vaiious courts with Punch and Judy, &c. ; at 8 p.m., a Comedy; 9, interval for promenade, &c. ; 9.30, farce. Tuesday, December 28th, on which day the Hamilton Sports will be held, hall open at 1 p.m. ; at 3, (Tableaux) (Vivants), In the evening, hall open at 7 p.m. ; at 8, concert; at 9.30 farce. Wednesday, December 27th, Hill open at at 1 p.m. ; 2.30, pantomime. In the evening, hall open at 7 ; at 8, magic lantern entertainment ; at 9 SO, chri^ty minstrels. For the la-t three month's sinio 40 or 50 ladies and gentlemen hive been busy making preparations, and eai h department lias bjtMi pl.icjd in eh i'*ga of s<>me comp^t >iit antiioniy. The high stand ud to vvl i hour Hamilton amateni*. have obt lined in di miatic al'uirs is the best guarantee that nothing will be wanting in that iv.sp >ct Tim musical ariangements are in the com potent hand-, of a well known amateur who, his secured the services? qf the leidiug amateurs of Auckl uid and Waikato .^uppoited by an eftio'ent choius and orchrthtra, The H.imiltioi) brass Inn I will also bo in attendance eagh day, The Maypole, duice will be performed by about 40 children, who are being carefully trained for this purpose. Mr Reid will furnish the migic lantern enteitainaicnt, which will be .shown by means of the, lim;bght. The tableaux vivants will illustrate various national customs, not forgetting a due admixture of the sanio element. But perhaps no item in the progr.am.me excites so much interest among the juveniles Jpopula tion as the pantomime. Hundreds of children are growing up in the Waikato who have never seen the practical use of a "red hot poker," and to whom a " butter slide " is an unknown mystery. In these days of free education fcuch ignorance can not bo allow/ed to continue. A pantomime of the "good old fash.ione4 stylo" has bt-en sp^ially wntton for the occision. The subject ohoson b ing "Jack the giant killer.' It is of collide in verse and contains the usual number of ounio S'tng-, puns and loaal all'isions, It will bu pl.ived by l! 9 children who havo boon foi somo time in training and evince maikcd aptitude for the fun. The necessat y costumes — scenery, etc., arc being piepaied, including two goorgeous transformation .scenes, and tho wiiole will bo, mounted " regardless of e\[)ense." It will be performed in the afternoon, and the tram arrangements will be such that parents in all parts of the W'ukatu can give, their children a chance of seeing a pantomime. The protnoteis are determined that this shall be the " biggest thing in shows " evei attempted in the Waikato, including, as it does, 2Q distinct entertainments, and demanding the services of .some 200 persons. The prjco of adinissinn has been fixed at the low sum of Is, wh,ich will admit to the hall and an afternoon or evening's entertainment on thu btago, and as suitable train arrangements will be nudo, we doubt not that many hundreds fiom all parts of the Waikato and Auckland will " spend a li'ippy day " at the Hamilton Christmas Carnival.