THE QUEEN POLL

Evening Star, Issue 21518, 16 September 1933, Page 12

THE QUEEN POLL

SERVICES SPRINGS SURPRISE OH TOP ON THE LAST DAY OF CONTEST The positions of the flags at noon today were:—

As was anticipated a surprise was effected in the relative positions of the various queens engaged in the contest which has now been in progress for nine weeks, though few people, except perhaps tho members of the Services Queen Committee, had any ida that Mrs Norah Ross’s colours would fly at the top of tho pole for the first time today. The services nominee has been satisfied with fourth place for practically the whole of the campaign, and it was, therefore, a real surprise to find her colours on top to-day. Still, returns will bo coming in until 11 o’clock to-night, and it is now possible for any one of the four contestants to achieve final victory. Great interest should be manifested in the closing ceremony in the Town Hall. FINAL DEMONSTRATION PROMENADE CONCERT TO-NIGHT. Music, fun, and laughter, aroused by the carnival atmosphere which must be the outcome of such a gathering as that which is expected at tho. Town Hall tonight, will bo the accompaniment to which the Queen Carnival competition reaches its closing stages. A promenade concert lends itself fore readily to this atmosphere than does an ordinary entertainment at which the audience is seated- Light, movement, lively airs, comedy, humorous efforts by sellers of “ the last donation ticket,” still more humorous efforts to wan a prize in “ Chocolate Alley,” spirit dancing in the Concert Chamber—for the novice, “the cabaret”—all this will stir the pulse, while excitement will be further aroused by tho half-hourly announcements of the positions of the queens in the polling list. It is understood that the contest is likely to be a “ very close thing,” and supporters of each queen will no doubt rally round their colours' and strive to snatch a last-minute victory. The programme of entertainment includes band numbers by Artillery, Kaikorai, St. Kilda, Tramways, Highland Pipe, and Otago Regiment Bands, also by Stotkes’s Banjo Band; short bright offerings by parties representing the Civic Queen (Stan Lawson’s Coster Ballet and H.M.A.S. Australia concert party), Sports Queen (Miss Webster’s ballet), Cinema Queen (Harmony Four, Lily Stevens’s ballet, Thelma Lupp, Gwenda Burt, Jimmy M'Farlane, and Tm Northy, and Miss Rita Holmes), and Services Queen (R.S.A. Choir). There will bo dancing in the Concert Chamber and fun in the Amusement Park. Supper will be available in the supper room, and cordials will also be obtainable. During tho evening halfhourly announcements will be made regarding tho state of the poll, and the final result will be given out shortly after 11 o’clock. A late tram service has been arranged for. Reserved seats in tho circle may bo booked at the

D. while ordinary admission tickets are on sale during the day at Jacobs’s and at the D.I.C. LATE TRAINS TO-NIGHT. In connection with to-night’s demonstration concert the railway department has arranged to delay the 11.15 trains to Mosgiel and Port Chalmers until 11.30, or a few minutes later, so as to enable suburban residents to remain at the Town Hall until after the announcement of he final result of the queen competition is made. A special late tram service has also been arranged for. CORONATION CEREMONY After the excitement of the contest comes the more sedate, but spectacular and impressive coronation ceremony. This will take place in the Town Hall on Thursday evening next. In the meantime the organisers are studying the proper procedure and are arranging details. At this stage it may be mentioned that Mr W. R. Brugh is to be the Lord High Chancellor of the occasion, Mr Reg Tapley the Master of Ceremonies, and Mr S. H. Osborn the Lord High Chamberlain. The Otago Regiment will provide the royal guard, and the R.S.A. Choir will provide the vocal part of the ceremony. After the crown has been placed upon tbe queen’s brow and the maids of honour have been presented, certain officials who have been prominent during the carnival will be “ knighted.” The box plan, which is at the D.1.C., is rapidly filling. Tickets for unreserved seats are on sale at Jacobs’s and the D.I.C. NAVAL CONCERT AND DANCE A band of naval entertainers from H.M.A.S. Australia gave a performance that attracted a packed house to the Concert Chamber last night. The entertainment was conducted under the banner of the services queen. The party from the warship showed themselves to be delightful variety artists, and pleasantly blended song, dance, and story in their programme. Shortly after 9 o’clock the naval dance was in full swing in the Town Hall. The numbers of dancers were swelled considerably at the conclusion of the concert, and as the evening progressed it became increasingly evident that the effort was to be unusually successful. Prior to the arrival of the ship’s band, which participated in the concert, the music for the dance was provided by Fraser’s Majestic Dance Band, an excellent which carried out its work with spirit and vigour. The organisers of the dance wish to express to the members of this dance band their thanks for their generosity in offering their srevices free of charge. After the concert the music was provided by the ship’s band, which gave every satisfaction. SPORTS QUEEN INDOOR BOWLS. The final flutter of the indoor bowls run by the Dunedin Bowling Centre for the sports queen took place last night, the men’s tournament being concluded. The contestants were a Dunedin Club rink (M. Higgins, J. Rigby, C. Boecroft, and J. Marshall) and a centre rink (T. Smith, J. Davis, £. Falconer, and H. Rowley). The game started sensationally, the centre being 10 to 1 on the fourth head. Dunedin then took their score to 17 (including two s’s), and on the sixteenth head the scores were 18 all. Marshall and his men then monopolised the scoring, running out winners by 27-18. The large crowd of onlookers was treated to a great exhibition of drawing, every head being keenly fought and altered time after time. The Dunedin rink well deserved its win, though a smaller margin would have better indicated the keenness of the play. The sports queen (Mrs R. Hudson) presented the prizes, donated by Mr E. Falconer, to the winning rink, and also handsome box of chocolates (her own gift) to each member of the winning ladies’ rink—Mesdames_ Leeden, Melser, Higginson, and Irvine. (St. Kilda). She feelingly thanked the bowlers for their valuable assistance, and Mr Hinton (secretary) presented her with a cheque for the balance of the receipts (£34 ss), which must be regarded as a worth-while effort by those in charge. CINEMA QUEEN There was a large attendance at the final function in connection .with the Cinema Queen’s campaign held in the Empire Theatre last night. The entertainment took the form of»a midnight matinee, and besides the screening of a delightful love comedy, ‘ Girls About Town,* vaudeville acts -were supplied by members of the crew of H.M.A.S. Australia and local performers. Before the programme commenced Mr Knight l Barnett, at_ the Christie organ, led the audience in community singing, and the first picture shown was a local gazette, which struck a bright note from the beginning, and put the attendance in merry mood. The stage presentations were most entertaining, items being given by Lieutenant Letch, Messrs Bradley and Longhead, and _ Bailey and Webster (from the warship), Miss Daphne Murdoch, Mr Ted. Heaney, Mr Angus Gorrie, and Mr Stan. Lawson’s ballet.

‘ Girls About Town' features Kay Francis and Liiyan Tashman, who are seen as two “ Professional Entertainers,” whose work is to ensure that country visitors who have money to spend in the big shops are kept happy and in good humour during their stay. The manner in which they do this is productive of much fun.