CHILDREN'S FANCY DRESS CARNIVAL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 150, 31 July 1914, Page 4

CHILDREN'S FANCY DRESS CARNIVAL.

IN AID OF THE ADDINGTON BAND A happy idea was the decision arrived at a little while back to hold a Children's Fancy Dress Carnival, with a view to swelling the fund which lias been started to assist the Addington Baad. Children's events always attract a crowd, and there is, moreover, a freshness and charm about them that everyone finds delightful and refreshing. Never was this in greater evidence than was the case at the Carnival held in the Selwyn Street Methodist Hall last night. The hall was crowded, so much so that great difficulty was experienced in keeping enough floor space for the fancy costume parades and Maypole dance held in the body of the hall, other events taking place on the stage.

The Carnival commenced with a parade of tiny tots under six, in all the glory of their fancy costumes, and then the children over six and under twelve went through the figures of the Grand March, each one being numbered, and the audience voting for the ones which they considered were the best. The prizes were won as "follow:—Girl under

six, Ruby Dorothy Bettle, who made a dear little "Dutch Doll." Boy under | six, Roy Lane, "Jockey." Girl over i six and under twelve, Gwen Chapman, | who was an adorable '' White Rabbit''; boy over six and under twelve, Robert Douglas Harker Brown,- '' Maori.'' The dress worn by the latter boy, by the way, was one that figured in the Maori Court in London some time ago, and was then inspected by the King. Mr Morris, who presented the prizes, shook hands with eacli winuer as he or she appeared on the stage, but in the case of Master Brown, the Maori "nose rubbing" was substituted. A special prize was awarded to Eileen Dowling her representation being that of a dainty Dresden Shepherdess. A short entertainment was given by the children, including some very clever dancing, notably a Sword Dance (in costume) by a small boy of about twelve, another Scottish dance (also in costume) by a boy of similar age, and a Russian peasant dance by two of Miss Cox's pupils. This was danced with dash and verve, and the costumes Avere exceedingly well carried out.® A little colleen, in all the bravery of green frock and buckled shoes, gave an Irish jig, and recitations, pianoforte solos, etc., were also submitted. The Maypole dance was a pretty item, the child-

ren having been trained for this by Miss Cade. About 9.30 the programme cam© to an end, an<l the children : were served with supper, after which there was a general dispersal. Altogether, the promoters of the Carnival, —principally Messrs Cade, Wittam, Bettle, and Mrs Morris, —deserve hearty lations on the success of the Carnival, from which they expect to nett about £2O. The event which they are working up to is the great Kentish Fair, to be held in October, and the money realised last night will go towards organising it. Thirty pounds made* at a jumble sale previously brings the work-, ing fund up to £SO to date,. making a nice little sum on which to start operations.