CARNIVAL AT THE BLUFF

New Zealand Tablet, 4 September 1913, Page 29

CARNIVAL AT THE BLUFF

• - The Catholic congregation opened a four nights'' carnival in the Drill Hall, Bluff, on Wednesday night of v last week, when there were over 300, people present, some £ls being taken at the door. The carnival was arranged upon a most extensive and enterprising scale, the stalls being tastefully decorated and well stocked with a most inviting array of goods. A musical sketch, termed . ' Nancy Lee' created marked interest and amusement, and was a distinct success, all the more commendable by reason of the fact that it is the first production of the kind staged by the local Catholic congregation (says the Bluff Press). ■■■■■ His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. Hinchey) officially opened the bazaar. The present bazaar, he said, was being held for the purpose of raising money to assist the school building fund. It served as an indication of the importance of a place that increased school accommodation was required. It was one of the best indications that the community was going forward in numbers. It was very satisfactory to know that the school was going forward and it served 'to prove increased prosperity as well as increased importance. It was pleasing to be able to learn that, in all probability, by the time the carnival was over the congregation would be able to complete the school. He congratulated them upon the attractiveness of the stalls and the wares to be "found there. The nuns and members of the congregation had gone to a great, deal of trouble and labor and all concerned were deserving of great praise for the amount of energy they had expended. He advised the public to patronise the stalls liberally as the object of the carnival was to provide a school -for the education of children. He declared the bazaar open. ' Nancy Lee,' the musical sketch staged, proved to be a really first class production—composed by Mrs. T. J. Bell and under whose musical direction it was carried out. The acting of the principals was all that could be desired, and too much praise cannot be accorded Mr. A. J. Lister for his delineation of. the character of Captain Lee. He' carried out the part perfectly, and no fault could be found with him either in the musical or the histrionic sense. His was one of the best amateur performances yet seen in Bluff. Miss Daisy Joss was thoroughly at home in her role of Nancy Lee. The choruses were numerous and exceedingly well rendered, and the dancing and stage movements neat and effective. The soloists, Misses R. Joss, Stirling, • Messrs. A. J. Lister, J. Hendry, G. Burgess, proved quite equal to their parts. • A pleasing duet What are the wild waves saying?') was contributed by Mrs. C. A. Tulloch and Mr. T. Crocket. Those who assisted • in a more or less prominent manner to bring the play to its successful issue were Mesdames C. A. Tulloch, T. Wheeler, T. West, J. Fletcher, and Sherlock; Misses Bradshaw, Lister, Holloway, Conway, Gillooly (2), Rose, Gilroy, and Joss (2); Messrs. Sherlock, Fletcher, J. Bradshaw, T. Finnerty, T. Crocket, Vellars, Neave, Gerrard, J. Doyle, ad Masters Tulloch. Especial mention must also be made, of the dancing of Misses Molly Bell, Tattie Joss, and Norah Barrs, whose graceful performance in the ' Mushroom dance to the chorus of ' Grow, little mushroom, grow,' was universally admired. Step dancing by Misses Collins, Paton, H. Hewett, Davis and Davies (on different nights) was also a decided treat. Miss V. Hewett recited When Aunt Brown comes to town in a most captivating fashion, this performer having won her section at the recent competitions. The scenery was most appropriate, completely representing the bridge and deck of a ship, and a drop scene representing Dog Island lighthouse was most effective. This was the work of Mr. Lister and Mr. Alex. Robertson. Mr. T. Crocket was Conductor. Mr. G. Burgess was as happy in the role of the sergeant as ever he was on the football field, and proved himself a quick change artist. The stalls did very good business and the wares * were pushed in a most enterprising fashion by a host of bustling assistants. The principals in charge of the stalls were:All Red Suite Agency—Mesdames C. A.

Tulloch, Rose, Gillooly, Moss, Misses Rose (2), Gillooly (3), Kane, Maher "(Inyercargill). ; Friendly . Group Depot—Mesdames Holloway, I. W. McPherson, Lynch, and Barrs. Tea rooms—Mesdames J. Smith, Goomes, and Finnerty. ' Trifle and jelly stall—Mesdames Atkinson and Hotton. Lolly stalls, Mrs. Burgess. Bran tub, Mr. Buchanan. _ ..... Too much praise cannot be given to Mr. Charles Tulloch, who Was as usual tacitly forced into the position of secretary and manager, and, as usual, by his tactful and kindly way of acting, pleased workers and visitors alike, making all feel welcome and happy. v The carnival, which established a record, realised £313, and it is likely that a sum appreciably over £250 will be added to the school building fund. « '