STUDENTS' CARNIVAL

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 857, 1 July 1910, Page 3

STUDENTS' CARNIVAL

COMIC PROCESSION. LOCAL CELEBRITIES CARICATURED. Yesterday being Victoria College capping day, the .students held high carnival, and not only enjoyed tliemselves hugely, but made much pleasure l'or oilier people. The street procession which has long been a feature of student carnivals at some other university centres, was introduced for the first time, and was carried out witii much spirit and success. The. turn-out was elaborate, and contained many clover and highly-humorous leature>. most of the costumes very effective.

At the head of the procession rode a gorgeoiis Indian rajah, with trappings, ami a lied Indian, leathered and blanketed. Then came the "iultic-s' Band/' with weird instruments, huge and massive beards, and kilts of 110 known tartan. Among the occupants of a motorcar, a very prominent politician and a leading local clergyman might have recognised living caricatures of themselves. A ludy with a chanticler hat of tremendous size sat beside the politician. A very long major followed, and was escorted bv picturesque warriors, mo&t of whom were dressed in» white. A troop 01 Maoris ran to and fro, and performed fragmentary hakas.

On the'ample'stage of a lorry, a passable imitation of a local minister who ia known as an active leader of the antigambling movement, performed vociferously, with leather bag inscribed with something like his nnmo and the words "The Old Fi<nn." Living representations of certain well-known missiouexs were 011 •the same lorry. A "Satan," in red tnuikhose and a scaa-lct mask, and Oihci' congruous accoutrements, dashed to ami fro, performing ably the functions of marshal of tho procession. One car accommodated a representation of the JeffriesJohnson fight. An elaborate scons on a lorry represented "an operation on. a local body for harbourhoarditis—press excluded." The operation was certainly complex and violent. Another feature was a- tableau representing an excha.nge of polite correspondence between tho presidents of the Wellington and Auckland Chambers of Commerce.

The procession was also graced by piehistoric' savages, with their chariot, a Zulu, a "missing link," a bear, a Turk, several "dudes," some skaters, a dog in a football jersey, a IJoman soldier, territorials, and other figurc-s. Sixteen sandwich men., fitted out picturesquely, pursued their own course in t-lio neighbourhood of the procession. A halt was made in the Post Offico square, and the "prominent politician," who wore a cocked hat and a yollovrbraided coat, made a speech from one of the lorriesi ■He alluded, in lengthy periods, to tho magnificent prosperity of the country; asserted that the public debt of seventy millions was "a"mere bagatelle—in fact, the merest bagatelle"; claimed that, it was his statesmanship that caused the sun to rise every morning and set every evening; and asserted that the comet was induced to visit New Zealand by means of an Order-in-Council drafted by himself. Tho speech was a great success, as, indeed, was the whole effort. The students were grateful to many business people for the loan of vehicles, and gifts of timber, paint, and other materials.

It is intended to repeat the procession by torchlight this evening, starting at 5.30. '

SUCCESSFUL CONCERT. ORIGINAL PRODUCTIONS. Tho Town Hall Concert Chamber was crowded in the evening, and many people had to turn back from the doors. Tho main feature of the programme was a musical, extravaganaa ■.» entitled -"The iSsyuicd Bow." 1 -This purported to illflfittato military matters at various stages of the world's history. The songs wero original, and some of the music was written by Mr. J. Maughan Barnett. Tlio extravaganzas comprised four tableaux, arranged by Miss Sybil Johnson, who also designed most of the scenery and dresses. The following took part:—Messrs. J. D. Smith, G. \V. Reid, L. P. Leary, C. Gamble, J. C. M'Dowali, and Miss E. li. Fell, The. programme also comprised a great number of topical songs, written for the occasion. Solos were sung by Miss C. T. Strack, and Mr. J. D. Smith, and a recitation by Dr. D. N. Isaacs. The College Glee Club also took part. College doings, the Kitchener camp, athletics, smokingi (apropos of Sir Robert Stout's reported disapproval of .the habit), the professors and their idiosyncrasies, were happily introduced into

the pongs. It was an evening oi hearty and innocent enjoyment. Suppers of the graduates and the undergraduates were afterwards held. The concert will be repeated to-night.