CARNIVAL TIME

Evening Star, Issue 17706, 6 July 1921, Page 5

CARNIVAL TIME

STUDENTS IN PROCESSION FUST AND FROLIC. Though the weather was dull the streets bore a lively appearance this morning, for several thousands of citizens turned out to see what the wit of the University students had devised in the way of skits and “make-ups” for their annual carnival. When the procession came along it was seen that there were some excellent individual characters, and that tho tableaus were funny. Amongst the latter was a “ Boozoy ” band, the costume of tho chief performer being decorated with beer bottle stoppers and corks, while his decorations consisted mainly of the_ mystic sign “X.X.X.” An auctioneering stunt followed, all sorts of food (?) being displayed for sale—saveloys, bullocks’ hearts, fish, and so on—none of it being fresh, farming the stock-in-trade. A lorry upon which half a dozen “ ladies ” were seated in chairs smoking, drinking, and displaying a good deal of hosiery was labelled “Present Students Ten Years Hence.’’ Another exhibit was meant to convey tho impression of a drapery “tiro sale,” garments well singed, even “burnt to a cinder,” being offered at " a sacrifice.” There were some queer characters in the tableau “Onr Village,” the village blacksmith and the “oldest inhabitant” being prominent'. Then there were the “ Gory Buccaneers,” with fierce mein and terrifying knives; Tie Real University Council, which included well-known individuals whose election to that august body must have been kept a secret until now; a weird-looking wreck of a motor car drawn by a horse driven by a fockoy, and carrying several other jockeys, was labelled “ Rons Winnecko,” and announced as the winner of the Green Island Cup. The DempseyCarpentier fight was depicted, the kincraa man (working hard at a diminutive sausage machine) being an outstanding feature. Perhaps tho best turnout was that representing the “ H.M.S. Chcat’era,” which was manned by a much-decorated commander and a number of lusty “ tars.” There was no attempt at comic effect in this —if the largo barrel of rum and the email “obsolete” guns are excluded—and the result was quite good. Prominent in the procession was a- real, though out-of-date, hearse, in which was canned a real coffin. The hearse was surrounded by realistic “mourners,” while a representation of Mephistopheks occupied the box seat. On the hearse were hung placards denoting that the “corpse” was the ‘Evening Star.’ Inquiries elicited tho information that this journal was singled out for the distinction because its ‘ Sports Special’ recently printed a cartoon showing the University football team well back in the race for premiership honors—falling down, in fact. The “corpse” was subsequently “buried” at the Fountain by a ' comic parson who read a comic _ burial service from a comic Bible. The idea of tho stunt was evidently suggested by a similar proceeding in Christchurch a year ago. The ‘Evening Star’ can join in the laugh of those few who enjoyed the skit, while at the same time pointing out that the realistic nature of the cortege offended the susceptibilities of not a few of the onlookers, including some of the sick patients who viewed the_ procession from the balconies of the hospital. - The usual ceremony of presenting a huge key and the “ freedom of the city ” to a distinguished visitor was carried out on the Town Hall steps The student who represented the mayor was scarcely suitable, physically, for tho part, otherwise carried out his duties very well. The distinguished visitor was the GovernorGeneral, as represented by another student. Amongst the “walking cases” were, pirates and Dutchmen and Scotchmen and such men, who cavorted round in real student style, “ capturing ” passing females (who mostly did not mind a bit) and playing the jester generally. A body of Mack Sennett girls looked neat and sweet, and comported themselves with true seaside coquettishuesa. Parsons were jostled by a number of walking advertisements for various brands of whisky, and a pipe hand broke out into spasmodic wails every now and again, probably at the sight of a highly-placed representative of tho Roman Church arm in arm with the organiser of the P.P.A. After the procession broke up these carnival figures made merry “on their own.” and perpetrated good-natured jokes on the smiling citizens.