THE CARNIVAL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2258, 27 December 1886, Page 2

THE CARNIVAL.

The grand Christmas Carnival an 1 International Fete, in aid of the funds for liquidating the debt of tho Church of S. Peter Hamilton, was opened at noon today, under the most favourable auspice*. It in the first entertainment of the kind ever given in Waikato, and judging by the experiences of to-day, it ia likely to attract an enormous number of visitors not only trom Hamilton and the district around, but from all parts of the WaikiUo and Thames Valleys and Auckland. When the project was first mooted it was merely intended to hold a fancy fair, btit tho idea enl irged as time wore on, and whun definitely laid before the parishioners of 8. Putin's it had assumed its present form of an International Fete. Needlos to bay it has involved a tremendous amount of time, thought and labour, but these were given ungrudgingly by all whose services were enlisted. The style of show known as the "Old Englishe F.iyre"' has long been an institution of the mother country and her colonies, but an InternationalJFair is less common. We do not indeed, remember to have heard of anything of kind as having been given in New Zealand before. The superiority of tho latter over the former is apparent enough, inasmuch as it gives much greater scope (or the skill of the designer. The characteristics of a dozen nations are presented to view at once, and the visitors is enabled to institute a comparison between the various styles, an occupation which in itself affords considerable enteitainment. The peasants of the various provinces of La Belle France are placed in juxtaposition with their Alpine neighbours, and the .spectator can travel in thought, in a moment's space, from the sea-coast of Normandy, through Brittany, along the Loire, to Berne and Neuchatel. From the Dykes of Holland to India's coral strand, from the island of Marken and the Zuyder Zee to Calcutta, Benares and the Ganges ii\er, is a voyage occupying but a few minute.-, ; while if we walk away a few yards we may stand under the shadow of tho Norway pines and watch the Aurora Borealis flashing up over the northern sky, notwithstanding the fact that the thermometer makes a heavy demand upon the imagination. Leaving the quaintly clad Norway peasants, with the Christmas- tree, .1 few steps carry us away to the land of the Hidalgos and the Moors, where for in my a weary year, in ages now hoar vv ith the rime of years the Castiliau and the More<c > fought for the mastery. As the visitor whiles away a few minutes in the Spanish Picture Gallery, or listens awstruck to tho oracular utterances of the Gipsy fortuneteller in tho Moorish house, close at hand, his mind instinctively wanders away to Toledo, Cordova and Granada,, and with the mind's eye he watches the brilliant effect of the sunset on the Vermillion Tower of the Alhambra, what time Boabdil el Chico and his retinue return after doing battle against the legions of Ferdinand and Isabella. Then his imagination takes him away, wonderingly, to the picturesque scenery of the Austrian Tyrol, as he takes a rifle from the hands of a fair Tyrone peasant, and vainly (such at least was our experience), endeavours to hit the bullY-eve and ling tho bell. Disappointed with the result of his tiial, or elated with his success (for the* effect is very much the saini'), the visitor make-, for the Germ in Restaurint, where, looked after by an army of deft vvaitie->st\s — who seem to have just left the neighbourhood of the Harz Mountain and the Brockon and the bmks of the wide and winding Rhine, Whose breast of waters broadly swells Between the banks th.it bear the yine — He refre.she.s the inward m in, and starts once more on his round. B.ick to the hall he goes, not so much for wh.it he can see Ithough heie the eye may enjoy a continual teast), as for what ho can buy. Overbmtlened, doubtless with a plethora >f loose coin of the realm (for haid times and the general depression are happily forgotten at this joyous season), he longs with an irresistible longing to possess himself of some bouvenir of tho Fete, which shall recall in other days the pleasures of the carnival, and so make what is indeed " a thing of beauty," " a joy foi ever." In the course of each diy thero will doubtless be many descents to eaith, and then the shilling lunch will play no unimportant part. Of its meuts none who have tasted it are dumb. All, indeed, are loud in its praises. The ascent to the regions of bliss again is accelerated by frequent visits to the ice cieaui stall. In our last issue we tfave a description of tho various stalls and buildings, but that description could convey but a very imperfect idea of what is to be seen at each, or the general effect of the whole, taken in conjunction with the elaborate decorations of the hall. As for the inteiiors we sh ill not attempt to do justice to the variety of exhibits to be seen or to the enormous and varied assortment of articles to bj di»po*rd of at the French salon .>r the. Swi«s chalet. They must, to use a somewhat hackneyed phrase, be ween to be appreciated. The abundance of curios, works of art, articles of virtu and goods on sale simply bewilders one, and when we take into account the gay dressy, the charming appearance and taking ways of the exhibited and attendants one hardly knows whether one is btanding on one's head or one's heels. The various stalls, museums, &c, are to-day in charge of the following ladies :—: — Dutch Museum : The Misses Bradley and Miss Florrie Swarbrick. Swiss Stall : Mrs Jolly, Mis Graham, Miss Coleman, Miss C. Jolly. Freuch Stall : Mrs Hume, Mr.s Sandes, Mrs T. G. Sandes, Miss Searancke. Indian Museum : Miss McPherson. Miss Newell and Mi.ss Wood. The proceeding's opened at noon to-da/ when the hall and its annexe were thrown open for inspection. A large number of visitors availed themselves of the opportunity, and the attendants weie speedily up to their eyes in business. The effect of stepping out of the garish bunlight into artificially lighted halls is novel and striking. Needless to say, the temperature is not that of a New Zealand night, but the matter of ventilation has been well attended and wo heard no complaints on this score. Each window ia fitted with a large ventilator at top and bottom so that while no light is admitted, a continuous stream of fcesh air pours into tho building, making it cool and pleasant. No one can fail to reflect upon tho largo amount of care and trouble expended on the prcpaiations, or to give full credit to the talent and perseverance of the manager, MiArthur Swarbrick, and his able assistants. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon them, and it is to be hoped that they will find a portion of their reward in the shape of crowded houses and a handsome balance sheet when the accounts are made up. At one o'clock there was a promenade concert, in which a number of our local amateurs took part. ~~ At about 2 o'clock the procession of the Maypole children, the cricketing and others stai ted from Barton's Hotel yaid-. The order of procession was as follows; - First came the Herald, a coloured gentleman in the height of fashion, mounted on a tjrey palfrey, and canying the Banner of S. George. His appearance was at once the signal for applause from the large number of spectators gathered around. Then came tho Hamilton Brass Band, clothed for the first time in their handsome new uniforms and playing stirring martial music. At the head walked the drummajor in scarlet coat and plumed hat, the very incarnation of dignity. Ne\t came the first of the two large waggons carrying the children of the Maypole. The waggons were gaily dight with the branches of evergreens, flowers and crimson cloth. The children, to the number of over thirty, tho boys dressed as meno' wars-men, and tho girls in pretty coloured frocks, carried gaily coloured bannerettes, which however did not look btighter than the faces of tho little bearer. Between the first and second waggon came a canopied carnage, in which, seated in state, was tho May <^ueen, impersonated by Mi*s Tda Nevvol'l. who filled the i'"»le to perfection. Then came the members of tho comic cricket team, forming piobably the most extraordinary medley of costumes over seen. Part rode on horseback, p«utti a veiled on bicycles, and pait walked. Some were black, some white, and Miinu no particular aolour at all. Amongst the iufautiy was a well-known tall brewer, repiesenting a ban el of his own XXX. Thu procession excited no small amount of interest ug it made its progress along Vlctoiia-street, across the bridge, up Grey-Street, and so on to Sydney Square, where tho company fell out. To the inspiriting strains of the Hamilton Band the uhildrou gave the first of their pretty dances vound the tall Maypole, to the groat delight of tho onlookers, Tho Jittlo people succeeded admirably, and did immense credit to their patient directress, Mi^-h Wilde Browne, who has* boon moat

nasiduMH in h«r endeavours to bring her pupils to perfection. The comio cncket match, which amply justifies its name, ia proceeding as we go t<> pie**. To-night a grand dramatic programme will be presented. At 8 o'clock, tho curttin will ri*e on tho comedy of "Cool as a Cucumber," the characters in which will lie taken by Mr Templei, (Plmnpei); Mr Swarbrick, (Old Barkios) ; Mr H. Connoll, (Bar kin*, junr. ) ; and two well known lady amateurs. This will be followed at U.HO by "Box and Coy," the character* of which will bo sustained by Mo-srs (iroville Smith and T. (1. Sand«s and a lady amateur who won golden opinions fur her recont acting in "Our Boys. ' No doubt there will be n crowded house. Reserved seats in,\y l>e booked for this and eveiy succeeding aftfrnoon, and evening performance, with Mr R. Y. Sandes or Mr P. L-itJuoMie, who will show plan of hall. The piogiamtne fur the c.unisal has been published in tho^e columns, and a detailed programme giving the fullest information may be obtained at the hall.