CARNIVAL QUEEN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2500, 29 June 1915, Page 6

CARNIVAL QUEEN

THE CORONATION

A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE

WITNESSED BY DELIGHTED AUDIENCE Never before lias Wellington witnessed so beautiful and imposing a ceremony as that which marked the crowning of the Carnival Queen (Miss Kitty Doughty) at the Town Hall last evening. Although the function was all make-be-lieve, the organiser (Professor Cardston) must be credited with having struck the right key for such an event. The entire scene was acted with dignity and decorum from beginning to end, and tiio sptendid stage management of the great procession, and subsequently the process of installing tho Queen upon the' stage, was au amazingly fin© spectacle from beginning to end. The hall was very tastplu]ly decorated with broad gathered bands of cardinal and gold, whilst from the central electrolier bands of goldencoloured muslin radiated to all parts of Wo hall. The piece-de-resistance was the throne room (the stage), a glow of cardinal and gold under a row of reilected eloctrio lights representing 20,000 candle-power. In tho centre stood the coronation chair, a fac-simile of that at Westminster Abbey, but gold-painted and upholstered, in crimson and velvet. Above the throne was 'a hugo crown, and flowing from it back to golden poles vere cardinal ourtains, which encanopied the rear of the stagn, forming a genial background for the Royal group and their numerous attendants. The costuming of those participating in the corcmony was probably the most rosplendent feature of the junction. The Queen-and her maids-of-honour (the fourteen candidates in the l-ecent election) had evidently spared no expense in doing their part. Each was robed in excellent taste, all wearing white dresses and white plumes m their hair, and each wore a long train indicating the origin of their candidature "? S uv L as Wi V? l? oss ihle, in some cases establishing their identify at a glance. °f cla J s '. Sower girls, etc.. jcie also lavishly costumed, each group having a special colour combination.

An Impressive Opening, W-im f Whilst the procession of yueciw wiis loimiiig up ill the Concert fnauiber and ™tn ?° fi ,Vay I,ouud tUe = ruuud floor toll idol the organ peeled lortli in a Brand Coronation March," and all eyes were hxed upon the western doors. As soon as the organ ceased two heralds, in enmson satin, advanced to the centre of the ball, laced one another, and blew „ tantare on trumpets. That concluded, thej advanced to the stage very solemnly, and there blew another fanfare, Then the organ rolled out grandly the Russian fiational Hymn as the head of the procession appeared, first came the Master ot Ceremonies (Professor Cardston) gorgeously apparelled, and following him, an appealing little moving tableau a .' ln J'' forlorn, downcast, ragged girl* with bare feet, ier rajs a tattered Belgian flag, supported on either side by tiny boys, dressed respectively as Britisu and French soldiers. These were followed by another group ; of charming children, representing the Allies-a little native of India, a Russian, an Egyptian, mi a ? Atnljan, each dressed beautifully then followed a.group of purple and darn red flower girls and a pair qf scarlet ones holding big masses of bloom; then again j 1 beautiful young girl holding a golden laurel wreath, impaled on a. staff. A section of the queens and their entourage was followed by four tell youths of stately mien and gait, who acted as swordbearers, and following them came (he Royal Standard bearers, bearing aloft the Koyal standard and the Union Jac£.

snter The Queen, More pretty children followed, beam* on satm cushions the Queen's 6peech the orb, sceptre, and crown ("the attribute to awe and majesty wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings"), the royal canopy, the Lord-High Chancellor (Mr. W. J. Meredith) in wig and robes, preceding the Queen, of the Carnival, aa extremely tall and benntiful Queen, with heavy ermine-edged train, in the hands of ten hard-worked pages, and supported by the Mistress of the Kobes (Mrs. J. Hannah). Tho order of the Maids was ns follows: Miss Senior, Miss Lewis, Mrs lfempton, Miss M'Cormack, Miss M*Ke?.» Miss Koseiugrave, Dr. Platts-Mills! Miss Low, Miss Doughty (the Queen) Miss AlLnroe, Mi°s Palmer, Nurse Everitt, Mrs - Smith ' Mrs. Algar Williams. Each Maid-of-Hon-our as she came into view and was recognised received a splendid reception, but naturally there was a storm of applause when the stately Queen appeared. The procession traversed the whole of tha corridors and approached the <lnis bv the centre aisle. The Maids ranged themselves on either side of the stage, whilst the Queen took her place upon the throne, her crimson train being tlwown out l>efore it as an extra, garnishing to the general scene. The attendants then approached, made their obeisance to Her Majesty and grouped themselves picturesquely 'round the stage.

The Queen's Speech, The crowning ceremony was performed by the Lord Chamberlain, Mr H G Hill (chairman of the Patriotic Society),' who declared Mibs Doughty duly elected Queen of the Kingdom of Giving," and swore fealty to his liege-sovereign on beiialt of her loving people. In doing so he handed her the sceptre, and then placed upon her head the crown, in which opera, tion the Mistress of Robes exeivisod her deft hand. Wien knighting My Lord Chamberlain, the Queen handed her speech to the Lord Chancellor, who read as follows:— "My Lord High Chancellor, Ministers of State, and my Most Worthy and Lovin» Subjects,—l am moved to-day -with deep thankfulness and gratitude on account of the great honour and most hjglL trust that you, my dear people, ha.ve placcd in IDG. "The duties and obligations of my High Estate would be altogether too great a burden for me to assume were I not assured that you at all times hold up my hands that we may together carry out the purposes to which our State is committed. "It is with very special pleasure that I accept from your hands the great gift of loyal service in the interest of those who truly need our full measure of helpful assistance. "I bear witness to you, my people, that tor the good and noblo purpose of giving to relievo suffering and distress, my sister Queens and all tho women of our State have genorously striven each to excel in the good work. "From every part of onr wide realm the joyous message is conveyed to me that no discord is found amongst us, and my heart is filled with reverent gratitude on account of this widespread manifestation unity amongst our people. "The law of our Carnival and the constitutional rights of doing the best possible on behalf of our wounded soldiers and sailors and their dependents, I shall always gladly maintain. "To-day our hearts are filled with glad-ne-|i on account of the bravei-y of our sons who are lighting at the front. "I call upon you. my people, to join me in honouring those who liave as heroes given their lives for our dear Innd and to work si ill the harder (o heln those who remain for us to assist. "Let us ever keep in mind that the very name of Britain Ims stood as a hcai'on light of liberty, protection, mul helpfulness to the peoples of the world so that in our Realm of Carnival we may each and every one acquit ourselves with honour in upholding the grand old name. For the principles of humanity the rights of free peoples, the of our homes, and the tender protection of childhood, in the name of womanhood 1 bid you all be faithful in this hour of great trial. "Tour Queen places her services at her country's disposal. Thus dn I acrept the high honour of this great occasion." Fanfare of trumpets.

Her Majesty's Reception, At Ihe conclusion nf the reading of the Queen's speech, which was louillv . anplamled. Her Majesty hold a. rccepti'on, „t. wliic-h Miss Mina Caldow sang, "Land of Hope and Glory" (Blear), and Mr. Bimiilir.u f!WS, DM nd(, eHlitM "tliir .Qusfliu'i foliomoe th.% sowl,

(lie Quoyi graciously elevated the members of tfie executive. Mr. Jl. G. Hill was declared to he Karl of Bristol, and Inspector-General of Refrigerated Space; Mr. .1. Lewis (secretary) wan created a Grand Booster of Patriotism and Minister for Soccer; 41r. li. .1. Col ley (joint-secretary and returning officer) was created Lord High Constable of Coin; Jlr. Jas. M'lntosli (treasurer) arose the Most Noble Knight Commander of the Privy Purse; and Mr. E. T. Doddrell (vice-chairman) found himself to be Most Noble Art Designer to the Burgesses of Wellington. Following these the Maids of Honour were presented to Her Majesty by the graceful Mistress of the Robes, and enormous interest was taken in (he manlier each one made her three curtsies.

The Maori Queen. An item not scheduled on the programme, but immensely interesting, then took place. Mrs.* Te Heu Ueu Rerernoana Tukino. approached the stage, wearing a beautiful and costly kiwi mat and other outward signs of chiefdom, attended by two maids-in-waiting (Miss Nellie Hura and Miss Hiretu Iwikau). Arrived at the top of the steps, she bowed gravely, and then approaching tho Queen, presented her with a beautiful Maori mat, made from the feathers of tho wood-hen and native pigeon. Having curtsied gravely with a demeanour graceful and dignified, the chieftainess took her soat on the stage, and added just tho right touch of local colour to tho brilliant ensemble. Citizens Knighted. The following citizens were then invest ed with tho following titles:— Mr. C. M. Luke, Most Noble Order of Knight of the Bowling Green. Ml'. C. P. Skerrett, Grand Controller of Charities and Most Honest Lawyer. Mr. L. 0. H. Tripp, Knight Protector of Trout. Mr. J. E. Fitzgerald, Lord High Chauffeur.

Mr. E. J. Righton, Knight Controller of Films and Grand Understudy to Sir Charles Chaplin. Mr, D. C. Bates, August Controller of Winds and HaTn. Mr. Ronald Lyon, Most Noble Controller of Competitions and King of Beasts. Mr. David M'Laren. Grand Knight of Labour and Poet Laureate. Mr. James Dykes, Secretary of State to the Cannibal Islands. Mr. A. A. Covrigan, Marquis of Nieuport and Marshal Extraordinary. Mr. F. W. Jl anion, Aidc-de-Camp to Her Majesty and Grand Bluffer. Mr. 13. A. Phelps, Barouet of Seatoun. Mr. Matthew Carr, Most Noble Designer (o tho Crown. Mr. Arthur Jacobs, Lord High Auctioneer. Mr. E. J. Fitzgibbon, Lor-d Chief Justice. Finally, Mt. S. Allwright sang "Hail the Queen," after which the Court rose, and left the hall in sedate procession amidst the plaudits of an audience which had enjoyed every minute of the unique show. Among those present were the Countess of Liverpool, Lady Kelburn, tho Eight Hon. W. I*'. Massey, Prime Minister, Mrs. and Miss Massey, Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, the Mayor and Mrs. J. P. Luke. The ceremony will be repeated this afternoon at 2.30 p.m. and this evening at 8 o'clock. At this afternoon's performance parents and teachers will be charged 16., and children sixpence.

CORONATION BALL Pull arrangements are now in hand for the grand coronation ball, to be held ir the Town Hall to-morrow evening. I'ancy dress will be optional, and four .£1 Is. prizes have been donated by Messrs. Stewart Dawson, and Co. llr. Bernard Page will play tho "Coronation March" as the royal procession enters the ballroom at 8.15 p.m. The first dance of the owning will bo the "Koyal Lancers." The drawing of all art unions held by tho West Coasters' Association took place at the Palais d'Allies yesterday, in view of several' members of the Police Force, The winning numbers will be found elsewhere in this issue.