NORTHCOTE FIRE QUEEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 73, 27 March 1922, Page 9

NORTHCOTE FIRE QUEEN.

GORGEOUS CORONATION CEREMONY. The Northcote Eire Brigade Queen Carnival was terminated on Saturday night Ui Mr. M. 11. Walsh's lawns, adjoining the -N'oTthcote Hotel, b.v the crowning of the Fire Ijucen, Miss Verona Devlin, the ceremonial being very meritorious. The sixty performers were accommodated ou au Improvised stage, upon which the throne was centrally placet!, and above which a large Union Jack was hung. The throne-room was gaily anil tastefully decorated with bunting and greenery, and the grounds were brilliant with large gas lights. The opening coronation march, accurately executed by Misses Myrtle Lepper, Connie Lepper. Rona Brown. Kathleen Brown, F. Kernohan, Stella. Brown. Mavis Brown. Bell Brown, Ruby Denning, Thelma Couldrey. Winifred Barnes. LMarJoric Hewitt. Run Townsheiid, Here Townshe—l. Nettie Cross, and Beatrice McHale, whose attractive costumes with electric-lighted headpieces. and wands, made a most effective display, was greeted with prolonged applause.

The procession to the throne-room was a gorgeous spectacle, the slow march enabling the various beautiful dresses ami handsome costumes of varied shinies, to be displayed t" the best advantage. On the dafcs the spectacular effect was also splendid, the beautiful dresses of the ri'.ieen on the throne (attended by Misses E. Bras—ngton an<t Mildred Curbett as inaids-in-waitiug), I'rlncess Eileen (Miss Bruce, tlie "Kamblers queen") luttend—l by Misnes itlndys Fairweather and Edna M.-Clymont). Princess -ana tMlss C'adness. the "Soccer queen' I (attended by Miss - ltona Bethwalte au'l Kathleen .lacksi. with their train-bearers nnd pa.es, the Mistress of the Roues tMlss; Ebba Gt'.umait), the heralds (Missif Doris Wilson and Rene Wilson), intermingling with the costumes of tin- Archbishop (Mr. F. Osmond Devlin), I.oni High Chancellor IMr. Albert Euruensi. Lord . Hts.li Chamberlain IMr. I' >:. 110.15.-s„ii). i|ncen'a champion (Mr. ... E Creensladei. sword-bearer (Mr. W. I*. Robertsi orb-beai-er (Mr. I'erey D. Kohll). sceptre -bearer.- i Messrs. Rees Davies and Win. .s'iitiiisnni. crown-hearer I.Mr. James Lvun), standard-bearers (Messrs. Robt. Watson and NelsJti Harvey), and the various supporting characters, combined to present a glittering and brilliant gathering. The ceremony was most impressive, disrulfleil. and pleasing, the principals all faltiifully .port ravin;: their respective parts. The lelectric debts ou the stage enhanced the effect of the illuminations, the Crown appearing to be a mass nf sparkling gems b.v the aid nf miniature coloured electric .lobes. The retiring procession was loudly aP■jibiudeil. the queen being preceded by four .little flower-girls, strewing her path with petals. The greatest credit for the excellent

performance is due to the organisers, Mi—c» K. and Winifred (,'iilibrand. and to the indefatigable secretary of tbe Fire Brigade. Mr. F. Osmoml Devlin, who undertook the lion's share of the '.titside work. Coronation hoimtins comprised '"Kmgbthoods" for the fathers of the queen tCapt.'in Ereii. Thos. Devlin), of Princess Eileen (Mr. William Urine, son of the late Mr. Alex. Bruce, the first .Mayor or Northcote). and of the Princess Edna iMr. Herbert Caoness. second Mayor of Xorthcote). an.l also for Mr. Michael Harrison Walsh. «In recngnition of his generosity at all times in allowin? the use or his lawns for the pu'.ilbenefit. A concert was held" prior to tbe coronation, when the Mayor. Mr. W. K. Richardson, thanked the people for their generous response, which assured the provision of a motor tire reel, and the various workers in connection with the carnival. Items iticltitled son;, by Madame Jean Kilinartin an- Mr W. K. A. Stewart, skippin--rope (lance hv Miss Rosa Sachs, character .sons and dance by Misses Ebba ('unman anil Connie l-eimer. fancy dances by Mioses Marjory ami Kathleen Dalrymple and Mi"" .ttillie Walker, nongs and dances hy Missei Una Butler anil Allie Deacon. Egyptian ballet dances by Miss Marjorie Dalrymple. and mouth-organ sele-tions hy Mr. P.roadriiih (Australian Xavy).