THE QUEEN CARNIVAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 45, 4 August 1939, Page 5

THE QUEEN CARNIVAL

.general executive meets POSSIBILITY OF MAORI CANDIDATE "TOWN FOOTBALLERS TO MEET Intense enthusiasm was evinccd at the first meeting of the central exe- • cutive of the Sports Queen Carnival, t which took place in the • Chambers last evening, the only despondent note being the apparent lack of enthusiasm on the part of the football sections. This initial setback, was overcome however to some extent by the offer of assist. r.nce from a businessman present "who spoke for a group of willing "workers, who would be prepared to ■ give the Queen the warmest support. 'The matter of the football interests therefore hekl in abeyance Bf~pending the holding of a new meet. ing of rugby players and supporters K to be held next Wednesday. Wr Mr C. S. Armstrong, presided ard "those present were: Mrs Bullard, ■ Miss Righton and Mr M. List (Tennis and Basketball); Messrs H. Stewart, H. Warren and N. Corcoran (Cricket and Hockey); Messrs W. JHenderson, J. White, Chambers, OrSisam and Morpeth (Rugby Football); INIr D. V. Saunders (vicepresident); Mr J- Partridge (secretary) and Mr C. Kingsley-Smith (as, sistant-secretary). The chairman opened the meeting liy enquiring the position of the foot .ball supporters. l\lr Henderson stated that thotigh I " the union had made two separate ! efforts to call the players together, on each occasion they had been met with a very poor response. He was •sorry to have to say it., but he considered the footballers as a whole tfailed to realise that the carnival was palnned mainly in their interests. At a meeting of delegates, all

country representatives had shown little or no interest, while the feelL* "ing in the town clubs was practical1k «;ly the same. That evening Just prior p' t 0 the meeting he had interviewed j several plasters on the practice field and was now more hopeful. Members present asked how the meetings had been advertised, as several players in the town ' "had expressed their willingness to assist and were definitely averse to the union dropping the idea of a' ▼ queen. To Mr Henderson's reply that the various club secretaries had been asked to make the meeting known, there were cases cited of players having had no foreknowledge and there, fore missing the meeting which they would otherwise have attended. BUSINESSMAN'S VIEW Mr A. Morpeth said if the busit Tiessmen who were Interested In the game were included in the Invitation W he was certain there would be a good ¥ response. He could speak definitely for a group of at least five who * -would be willing to assist on the committee. This announcement gave the Rugby delegates fresh heart, and it was decided to call a new meeting next Wednesday, when there was small doubt that if the support were strong enough, there would be a Rugby Queen in the running with the other candidates. TENNIS AND BASKETBALL. The tennis and basketball delegates announced that Miss Gwen Kent had been selected as candidate for that section, (applause), and asked if her ■colours could be announced as Red v t -and White. A greed to. Delegates assured the meeting that they anticipated a keen and well filled proand were already well on the way with a schedule of events. CRICKET AND HOCKEY. Delegates from the cricket and hockey section, informed the meeting that already a comprehensive had been organised and sub-committees had been appointed to carry out the various departments. They reported strong support and encouraging response to all appeals. Application was made for the official colours to be blue and gold. PROPOSED MAORI QUEEN. In accordance with a motion from the public meeting recommending k the promotion if possible of a Maori Queen, Mr Kingsley-Smith reported that enquiries had been made, and at the present time the Maoris we™ ¥ considering the matter and would r report on their decision on Friday '(to.day). There were also prospects for responsible organisers in view in the event of a favourable decision being arrived at. OPENING NIGHT. The question of the procedure opening night was discussed at some length, it being finally decided to er.--gage (if possible) the Grand Thoatrn 4 Continued at foot of next column)

for either 14th or 16th inst, when an opportunity would be given of oilicially introducing the candidates to the general in conjunction with a select concert programme. The cricket and hockey representatives present generously undertook to provide the programme, which would be diverted from one of their own individual efforts for the benefit of the carnival as a whole. The olFer was gladly accepted and will it is understood include a playette by members of the Lyceum Club.

The committee will meet in a week's time to formally receive the decisions of the Rugby Union 3nd the proposal to include a Maori Queen.