THE CARNIVAL

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 125, 28 May 1915, Page 2

THE CARNIVAL

NEWS AND NOTES A BRILLIANT SUCCESS CAFE CHANTANT IN TOWN 'HALL. The succeee of the Cafe Chant&nt opened in the Town Hall last night to assist the candidature of Miss Low, the Queen candidate of the combined drapers, must have gladdened the hearts of those who have for a long time past been working strenuously on its behalf. Much had been heard about it beforehand, a-nd all who attended it were only too pleased to admit that their most sanguine expectations had been exceeded. The scene of animation was a striking one. Inside the hall was a packed mass of humanity, so hemmed in that it was difficult to move about the hall. The bazaar had been well advertised beforehand by a, fancy dress parade from Lambton station to the scene of the fete. The procession was composed mostly of shop assistants, who were dressed in all manners of striking attire, pierrots, clowns, Dutchmen, Frenchmen (no Germans), and other characters too numerous to mention were represented, and a blaze" of colour wae made by numerous coloured Chinese lanterns. At the head of the procession was the band of the National Reserve (conducted by Bandmaster Jupp), which played popular music and enlivened th© paradefs and the onlookers generally. When the procession reached the Town Hall visitors had a better chance of studying the various gay costumes. Golliwogs, teddy bears, pierrettes, bewitching cigarette girls, and even a Dreadnought were there, the last-named costume oeing a very ingenious and pretty one. One and all the helpers were intent on extracting from the pockets of the public the last penny possible in aid of a worthy cause, and right well they carried out their intention. They simply proved irresistible. Raffle tickets for a billiard table, oil paintings, an oak sideboard, dolls, silk garments, and other valuable prizes were sold in thousands, thanks to the lure of a pretty face ana "a pair of sparkling eyes.'' The crowd was in a carnival mood, and as tho result of the industry and energy of the stall-holders the exchequer of the committee was very substantially augmented. Prior to tho real fun of the fair commencing, Mr. H. G. Hill (chairman of ths Patriotic Society) spoke from the specially erected platform in the centre of the hall. Amid the persistent clatter and din he had a difficulty in making himself heard, but he managed to congratulate the workers for the cause on the manner in which , they had carried out their duties. He then declared the Cafe Chantant opened. An excellent programme had been arranged, but owing to tho noise it was impossible to carry it out in its entirety. Some noteworthy items, however, were a Russian " Valse Caprice," by Mr. T. O'Carroll, and a duet, " The two Wooden Dolls," by the Misses Olsen and Evelyn Clifford. The orchestra was under the direction of Mr. M'Laughlin, and provided some capital | music. The hall was beautifully decorated, and j the kaleidoscopic effects produced by the decorations and gay costumes were very effective. The utmost praise is due to Mr. Theo. Queree (who had charge of the decorations), Miss Taylor, and the hundreds of other workers for their untiring efforts, and it must be a matter of the greatest satisfaction to them that their object was so successfully achieved. The Cafe Chant-ant will be open again to-night and to-morrow night, and will be preceded by a procession from Lambton Station On both occasions. '