RIVER BANK CARNIVAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 17039, 14 December 1915, Page 5

RIVER BANK CARNIVAL.

MEETING OF GENERAL COM-

MITTEE

IV General Oomnvittew of the River Bank lloso Carnival met in tho Y.M.O.A. Lecture Room on Saturday evening, Mr W. J. Jenkin. presiding. Applications . for permission to run side-shows were received from FT. E. Herbert (hoop-la ) and \V. Ril«.V (disc quoits), both applicants offornm the committee 50 per cent of the profits;. U was decided to decline the offers, a> the committee fe.lt that it must adhere to its decision that the total profits of every branch of the carnival should go to the Patriotic Fund. The request, of Messrs 6. W. Wilton and Co., Ltd . for a stall for the salo of "Sydal" was granted, as this firm is donating the whole of its profits to the carnival.

The chairman *aid thaj;. several members of the committee ha 3 suggestod that, in view of the huge preparations that had been made, the carnival should he continued for three days, and he asked for 0; ..vssions of opinion on the question. After the subject had been discussed at some length, it was decided.'on Mr i'\ Johnston;* motion, that the original intention of a one-dav carnival should he adhered to. Mr Johnston stated that some people were still under a misapprehension as to the object of the carnival, and suggested that the Advertising CeV.iniittee should make it clear that the whole of tho proceeds were to be handed over to the Canterbury Patriotic Fund. Mr Oakes.reported that eight bauds, and probably nine, would take part in the procession and play on the ground during the day, all giving their services entirely free. It was decided that members of the committee should wear red, white end blue badges Several matters in connection with the delivery of good's bought at the stalls came up for discussion, and it was decided to arrange for the delivery of all perishable articles on the day of the carnival, and other goods on the following day. • The chairman submitted Teports on several matters which had been left in his hands. The Commercial Travellers Association found that it would not be able to run the mock court as requested, but he had been able to arrange, with the assistance of Mr Johnston, for the Canterbury Law Society, to tako charge of this function. With regard to the railway arrangements, it had not been possible to got, into touch with the Minister ot Railways, but a deputation, had waited upon the Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr G. W. Russell, who had received them very favourably, and was doing hi* best to arrange for suitable trams. The Fire Board' had agreed to rem its rules- so as to bring the carnival site within the fire protection area, and in ca.se of fire the city plant would be available. . An advance copy of the official programme, which is being printed gratis by the "Sun" Newspaper Company, was produced by the chairman, wb» ; also stated that the same company had offered a prize of £1 Is for the iady selling most programmes, and one or I 10s for the second' lady. i Tho treasurer, Mr H. R. Best, an- ' nounced that arrangements for handl- ' ing the money were all complete, tho National Bank providing the necessary Stewards would wait on the stall-holders at frequent intervals and , collect the money, giving a receipt for j the same, and take it to tho treasurer's office on the grounds, from which i it would he conveyed to a strong-room i in the city. . 1 ft was resolved' to place signs adverI tising tho carnival en several of the , central hotels, and in other prominent places. In addition to the rose show art union, a .second art union is being held for a piano presented by the Bristol Piano Company, and i<> was decided that these tickets should also admit tho holder to the rose show. The chairman stated that he had written to the Minister of Internal Affairs for permission to hold certain raffles, but had not yet received a reply.

TO THE EQITOR. Sir. —1 trust you will allow me space in your valuable columns to protest against the prize list that is being offered in connection with the Rose Show at this carnival. According to the schedule I have just received by chance, a sum of £l2O in cash prizes is being offered, and this at a patriotic gathering. .Surely at a time like the ! present when we should all be making sacrifices ._ it should be sufficient to win in "competition at a patriotic flower show without taking a priae at all. 1 question if .so elaborate a pnae list has ever been offered in .one day for a flower show in New Zealand. This is no time to throw money away. These carnivals, as a rule, are always overburdened with expenses. The last Rose Carnival held in the Domain was ! a striking example. when out of receipts amounting to £7B-2 8s Od the huge sum of £139 o.* Id was eaten up in expenses. I trust ( the River Bank Carnival will not be'quite as bad as this, hut. judging by the prize list offered at : the Rose Show the expenses will be high, and it only wants a wet day to cause one to think that other methods should be adopted to raise money. I consider that all this continued bey;- I ging should cease. The willing horse j is paying every time, that is the poor j man. Never mind what function 1 is on for patriotic purposes he is there with his -few shillings. The Govern- \ inent should take this matter in hand | at once and impose a graduated; income tax. This will reach the shirker, j and T venture to say a sum of half ;> million could be raised in Canterbury yearly. ,

I hope the River Bonk Carnival will be a success, and that it is not. too late to change the cash prizes for i the Rose Show into certificates.—l am. ' etc., i J. TLMBRELL. I