THE CARNIVAL

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 105, 31 October 1933, Page 3

THE CARNIVAL

RETAILERS' PAItT

DIFFICULTIES REMOVED

ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING

Practically every activity in connection with the National Confidence Carnival was represented at a gathering in the, Council Chamber of the Town Hall last night, when the Mayor presided and spoke enthusiastically of the prospects of the week of spectacles and entertainments next month. PRINCESSES THE KEYSTONE. "So far," said Mr. Hislop, "the indications for a successful carnival are extraordinarily favourable. The various committees have been working very hard. You already know the general programme of the carnival, but some other things are going on at present which are ' equally, important. It is being realised that some of these events are to provide the expenses of the carnival. One of them is the princess competition. I make an appeal to the city generally to support this contest, because not only are these competition* excellent in themselves and fully worthy of support, but we are relying on the funds from them to meet the expenses of the carnival." He hoped the votes already recorded (30,000) would be increased tenfold by the close of the carnival. He thanked the committees for all the work they had done. RUFFLED WATER CALM. There had been one small ripple on the calm of their sea. There was a feeling in some quarters that they had been spending too much in preparation, and too much on themselves. "You cannot run a big carnival'without the expenditure of money," said Mr. Hislop, "and a carnival cannot be successfully run unless you have people, in charge of it who are going to devote the whole of their time and energy to it. You cannot expect that to be done altogether for nothing. A good many carnivals have been held in New Zealand, and our expenditure compares very favourably with that of some successful carnivals of the past. Everyone should realise that we are going to make this effort successful, and we should now anticipate that the carnival is going to start with the support of everybody in Wellington. "A little misunderstanding arose in regard to the holiday on . November 22. After all our object is to give: everybody a pleasant time, and we will ensure money being spent in town during that week. It was felt by the retailers that if we'had a general holiday on November 22- they might be prejudicially affected. I am glad to say that as the result of a meeting today we have been able to come to a very amicable and satisfactory arrangement. The retailers are going to have special attractions in all their shops. A UNIQUE EFFORT. / 'Mr. 6. G. Stewart, chairman of the management committee, said that after hearing the Mayor they would realise that the carnival was already mounted on the way to success. It was an effort the like of which had not been put forward in any other city in New Zealand. Sweet reasonableness had met what few difficulties had already arisen, and preparations were complete for a three Weeks' run ending in a truly wonderful carnival, the ultimate effect of which, it was hoped, would be of great benefit to national confidence and to the Dominion. REPORTS ON PROGRESS. Mr. Maurice Ralph, the pageant producer, referred to the historical events and Maori legends which would be featured in episodes produced on the most modern lines, with special lighting effects, and still pictures of very comprehensive range. The fifty Maoris would be here prior to the events rehearsing. Mr. Kingi Tahjwi was of great assistance in this direction. Mr. Tahiwi spoke of the good work being put on beforehand by the Maoris of Otiiki who were coming to Wellington. Mr. H. F. Wood said he was sanguine of the success of the Old Colonial Ball. The Mayoress and Mrs. Coates were assisting them wholeheartedly. The function would really take the place of the Mayor s Ball, and its success was assured. Mr. A. S. Wemyss,' organising the community services, appreciated the ■■ stress laid by the Mayor on the princess competition, which was the factor which would make.the carnival a financial success. It was not desired that people should "sit back" and wait for Carnival \V>.ek, but they, should realise that the princess contost was one of the main things in the carnival, and that it was on now. , Mr. A. E. Burd reported on the aquatic side of the carnival. Several functions with satisfactory results had already been held, chiefly -by the yachting interests. He reported fully on the events for the day and evening of the' aquatic effort. Mr. J. W. Fergie, for the power nud transport organisation, reported excellent progress. They hnd the support of the Hutt workshops. He agreed Dhat attention had been too much focused ahead by the public on the Carnival Week, but was pleased to hear the Mayor's outline. Mr. J. C. Cusack reported on the activities of the Sports Queen. It was becoming realised that the princess contest formed the "main body" of carnival effort. ILLUMINATIONS. Mr. G. Lauchlan siad that the City Council had allocated £250 for illumination, and with that sum an appreciable amount of decorative lighting .could be done. Cuba Street, Manners.Street,'and as far as the Bank of New Zealand in Lambton'Quay would be illuminated with festoons eighty yards apart. There seemed to be a good deal of local feeling about the choice of these streets, and wonder why other parts ofv the city were left out, but the carnival spirit must be concentrated in part of the ciiy, and Cuba Street lent itself to illumination. Some lighting would also be done at Courtenay Place. Oriental Bayv would be illuminated from Fitzgerald's Point to Grass Street, and the bandstand would be outlined. The effect would bo fine, in fact, all that was needed to make the aquatic carnival night a success was calm weather. For the outlining of the Town Hall it was estimated 5000 lamps would be used. Many requests to borrow lamps had been received,1 but they could not be entertained. Owners of shops and premises who wished to light them up would be granted current free for their decorations, but the city could not lend them the lamps. The Mayor said, it must be the general desire to meet the princesses who were laying the foundations of their success, and those princesses who were not at functions in aid of the carnival, Miss Gretta Stark and Miss Nancy Olphert, were introduced amidst applause. Mrs. Hugging, representing the ' Girl Guides, said that the best would be done to put on a good show. There would be over 500 girls in the event. , . Mr. H. Tait reported on the/steps being taken to organise the procession. lit would now extend from the Government Buildings to the Bank of New Zealand, but it was hoped that this would be only half of it: A certain amount of apathy seemed to exist amongst business people, but the carnivai vould lift them out of that. Many people seciu^'l to think a carnival should not be held btfore Christinas. Ho urged those present to infect others with thf'r enthusiasm. Any suggestions to improve the procession would have careful consideration. . Colonel Burton, of the Salvation Army, spoke of what would be done on the Sunday. There would be services in all the churches, and the Mayor, councillors, arid committee would attend the Army service in the morning. Mr. Stewart spoke of attractions, including, a dance extravaganza, arranged by Miss Kathleen O'Brien, on coronation night, when panoplied dignitaries would confer the honours of the carnival on its "knights" and others. Mr. W. A." Thomson thought 10;000 was a conservative estimate of the influx of visitors, which would mean a tax on the ordinary accommodation. He urged people with accommodation to report it. Mr. J. Abel said that the inter-house girls' display was going well. Many girls were coming an hour early to work to put in their preparation and training. The Mayor said it was evident that the large amount of work was being done successfully by the committees. The carnival has an assured success. He thanked everybody who had so far taken part in it. * . Mr. .T. Abel, as chairman of the Manufacturers' Association, reported that manu*

facturers and retailers had combined, and that special displays would be made, in retailers' shops, of New Zealand and United Kingdom manufactures. On the motion of Mr. Stanley Natiisch, a vote of thanks to the Mayor for his useful part was carried by acclamation.