KAPONGA QUEEN CARNIVAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 16 December 1924, Page 4

KAPONGA QUEEN CARNIVAL.

CORONATION CEREMONY. ART UNION PRIZES DRAWN. An enthusiastic audience filled the Kaponga Town Hall last evening, and demonstrated approval of the entertainment arranged to celebrate the coronation ceremony which marked the conclusion of the Kaponga Catholic Queen Carnival. Proceedings commenced ” with a concert programme, the first part of which was contributed by pupils of the Convent School, who in a series of solo and ensemble items evidenced studious attention to the tuition which had been given by the Mother Superior and Sisters, and are to be commended upon their excellent display. Unfortunately several pupils were unable to take j)_art owing to sickness, but the party of 34 who appeared renaei’ed a highly creditable performance, during which each item was received with merited applause. Iris Ritter and Janet Wilson opened the programme with a tasteful interpretation - of the ‘ Norwegian Cradle Bong,” rendered as a pianoforte duet, following which the company sUls and boys sang the ‘/welcome Song” in unison. Other choruses were “United New Zealand” and “O’Donnell Aboo,” the latter, treated in spirited style, being the best received of these numbers. A pleasing trio, Edie Schicker, Marjorie Jones ana Pearl White, recited “God Save All Here,” and Mary Williams effectively rendered the recitation “Flo’s Letter.” The item which in this portion of the entertainment was accorded most popularity was, however,, the children’s final contribution, when 16 maidens, daintily arrayed in white dresses, over which they wore yellow sashes hung from the 'shoulder, were joined in a pretty and well tutored exhibition of marching and fan drill. The accompaniments were played by Mrs Evans.

Imperative encores, evincing the keen appreciation felt by the audience, marked the second part of the concert programme, in which Mrs M. J. Goodson (Hawera) and Miss C. Reilly (Hanera), assisted by Mr L. J. Loftus (Kaponga), appeared as soloists, the accompaniments being played by Miss Reilly (Hawera). “Flutes of Aready,” Mrs Goodson’s first number, was greeted with an insistent recall, in response to which she sang “Believe Me of All Those Endearing Young Charms.” On her pext appearance Mrs Goodson sang “The Wood Pigeon” and “You In a Gondola.” Miss C. Reilly instantly captivated her hearers with the charming “There Are Fairies at the Bottom of Our Garden,” the encore being followed by “The Market.” Her other solo, “Fairy Tales of Ireland,” proved even more pleasing, and was supplemented with the popular “Waiata Poi.” Mr Loftus was heard in “Songs of Araby,” “Friend o’ Mine,” “The Irish Emigrant’’ and “Bally Homer.”

For the coronation ceremony the curtain rose oh a spectacular court scene arranged on the stage. In the centre °f tho court the elected queen occupied the throne, which on one side was flanked by the queen’s maids of honour and pages and*on the other by the farmers’ queen candidate, Miss Edie Schicker, and her retinue, while behind the throne garlands were held aloft by ladies in waiting. The crown was borne on a silken cushion by the “Princess Royal:” As Lord High Chamberlain, Mr W. B. Fearon presided, and after formally announcing the choice made by “Her Majesty’s” subjects called upon one of her pages, Desmond Bolger, to place the Crown upon her head, upon which the court made obeisance while the audience remained standing. As mementos of the carnival, the Lord High Chamberlain then presented the queen with a gold bangle and the unsuccessful farmers’ candidate with a similar trophy. An amusing interlude followed when, in a burlesque of the customary coronation honours, several well-known identities, alleged to have been noted by the queen for their activities during the carnival, were invested by the Lord High Chamberlain with extempore Cheers for the queen and also the unsuccessful candidates concluded the ceremony. The part of the Princess Royal was taken by Marjorie Jones; the queen’s maids of honour were Elly Crowley, Mary Winters, Alice Duigan and Flo Jones; and her pages were Desmond Bolger and Con Crowley. The ladies in waiting were Ivy White, Margaret Williams, Pearl White and Marjorie Mellow. Maids of honour to the farmers’ queen candidate were Dulci Mellow, Patty Gomez, Rose Behl and Mary Schicker, and her pages were Ernie Schicker and Louis Notter.

Following the coronation supper was served by the ladies’ committee, and a dance programme was arranged, the entertaniment terminating in the small hours of the morning. Dance music was supplied by Mrs Evans’ orchestra, and Mr A. Sadler officiated as M.C. The drawing of the art union prizes, conducted immediately after the conclusion of the concert programme, resulted as follows: Mineral specimen, valued £10 —No. 10.547, Mr C. P. Crowley, Kaponga. Mineral specimen, valued £s—No. 10.548, Mr C. P. Crowley, Kaponga. Draught screen—No. 685, Mr B. Hammersley, Kaponga. Pair of oil paintings—No. 10,678, Mr J. O’Connor, Bay of Plenty. Oleograph painting—No. 10,275, Miss M. Griffin, Kapuni. Pair of oil naintings, soecial prize— No. 10,134, W. Walsh, o‘kaiawa. The tickets were all drawn from the barrel by Doris Harper, excepting the fifth ticket, which was drawm by Albert Notter. Father N. Moore and Mr W. B. Fearon presided. Constable O’Donoghue watched the proceedings on behalf of the police.