VICTORY CARNIVAL

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 140, 10 March 1941, Page 4

VICTORY CARNIVAL

Three Garden Parties At The Weekend Saturday was a perfect day for garden parties, and the three held for the Victory Queen Carnival at Heretaunga, Petone, and Lowry Bay,- were an outstanding . success. Each was marked by a crowded attendance, and the campaigns of the Fighting Services Queen, Sister Mollj’ Mahoney, and the Upper Hutt princess, and the Petone princess, will benefit considerably from the sums raised. The party for the Fighting Services Queen was held at the residence 'Of Air Commodore and Mrs. H. W. L. Saunders, Lowry Bay, and was attended by more than 300 people. A sum of £lOO was realized. The setting lent itself admirably to the event. Mrs. Saunders’s home overlooks the harbour, and a series of beautiful terraced lawns runs down to sea level. On these terraces there were many novel games to keep everybody occupied, but a few took the opportunity of the tempting proximity of the sea to avail themselves of the boats, and to'go swimming. Produce stalls did a brisk business in the charge of wives of Air Force officers. Members of the corporals mess at Rongotai looked after the sideshows and ran them with great efficiency and profit, and a delicious afternoon tea was the responsibility of girls from the Equipment Office of Air Force headquarters. An orchestra of the R.N.Z.A.F. provided a musical programme throughout the afternoon. Other attractions included clock golf, tennis, and a Punch and Judy show for the children. The party was opened by the Air Force princess, Miss Thelma Jones, and the Fighting Services Queen, Miss Molly Mahoney, was the guest of honour.

Party at Heretaunga.

More than £ll5 was realized at the party for the Upper Hutt princess, Miss Janet Blackley, given by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. S, Blackley, at their lovely home in Heretaunga. A very unusual feature of this party was the fact that it did not stop at sundown, but continued on well into the night, attracting a greater crowd then than the large numbers who attended in the afternoon. The garden, was very beautiful by day, with the glossy green lawns and vivid flower beds shining in the brilliant sun, but by night the grounds were floodlit and took on all the enchantment of fairyland. Even the bush at the back of the house was lit, and the effect was a real thrill for the visitors, who enjoyed the party to the full. At night a coffee stall with hot pies did a roaring trade, and competitions, “hoop-la” and stalls continued the brisk business of the afternoon. In the afternoon, tea was served by members of the Upper Hutt W.D.I’.U., and the Hutt Valley Queen, Mrs. E. 1W. Love, was present. Fete at Petone. The garden fete held ai the Petone Recreation Grounds on Saturday afternoon considerably furthered the interests of Miss Ailsa Ramsden, the Petone princess. This occasion was marked by the presence of five of the queens in the Victory Carnival—Mrs. Love, Hutt Valley Queen, Mrs. Ben Fuller,. Movies; Miss Joan Young, Public Services; and Miss Patricia Luckie, Commerce Miss Ramsden was presented to the gathering with the five queens by the Hon. W. Nash, who declared the fete open. Marching displays were given during the afternoon by Palm.olive. Woollen Mills and Griffins girls, all distinctively and smartly garbed. A Maori display included action songs in character by Maori girls trained by Mrs. Matt Love, and Mr. J. Huggins conducted a mock court. Mr. J. v. Kyle was the marshal and the fete was organized by women of the Petone queen carnival Committee and men ol the patriotic committee.