The Reign of King Carnival.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3828, 8 January 1929, Page 5

The Reign of King Carnival.

DAYS OF LAUGHTER & NIGHTS OF GLADNESS.

Wonderful Procession and Children’s Displays.

REVELRY ON THE LAKE GAIETY on WATERFRONT.

The Carnival has come and gone, and were we asked to state the popular verdict we should have no hesitation in inscribing across the face of Ae big event the word "Success, Never before in the history Oi Queenstown has a public socia, enterprise of the magnitude of the recent Citizens’ Carnival been attempted. When the idea was first mooted it was possibly not anticipated that it would develop into a venture of such proportions. For venture it undoubtedly was. It had no precedent in local annals whereby to forecast the possibilities that lay ahead of it, or any standard by which to measure the relative decree of success it would meet with should the Fates be kind. Ah that could be done was to pattern the Carnival on the lines adopted in other resorts where they have become an annual fixture. Even then the varying local conditions had to be taken into consideration, so that the launching oi a Carnival was to a large extent a plunge mlo the unknown. The enterprise was not without its many difficulties, and the Executive was confronted with many problems, the solution oi which, be k said, was tackled with a fine courage. Not the least of these problems was the one oi “man power,' which propelling force is really' never available in strength in Queenstown at this tune oi year, when business reaches its peak among tradespeople. Secondly, the Carnival fabric had to be woven from top to bottom, as there wore no properties ot any kind in existfence. Thirdly, there was the embarrassing question of finance. Bad it been a case of cutting the coat according to the elotli the position would have involved much less difficulty, as the Committee’s limitations would have been set. But the members of the Executive cet up to'carry the Carnivai through had in effect to give their honour and reputation as hostage for the peiformance of the contract they Jiau entered into—for no personal gain, but for the public good. Further than this, they had each one to pledge themselves to stand to the monetary loss should such misfortune overtake the enterprise. The responsibility was one which may well _ have weighed heavily on each individual membei oi the Executive. However, thanks to their fine sense of citizenship they took their courage in both hands and carried the venture through to a successful issue.. It is indeed a natter for congratulation that we have among us men who are possessed or such a spirit, ■ coupled with the necessary enthusiasm and enei gy. Every maiden enterprise is in a sense a voyage of discovery, ana the local Carnival was no exception in respect or the shoals which were encountered. However, experiences of tins kind will result in such dangers being charted for their future avoidance. Some mistakes were made —the promoters were among the first to see ana admit .the fact, though they' were, largely, the victims ot circumstances. But the long list ot successes must in like manner be credited to their account.

THE PROCESSION.

The first of these successes was the procession, which marked the official commencement of the Carnival on Boxing night. Long before the appointed hour the crowds commenced to assemble in the vicinity of the Post Office and when the cavalcade moved off at a little after 8.30 p.m. under the direction of Mr Percy Shaw ot Auckland there must have been well over 1000 people lining the route. The new Fire engine in its scarlet and gold vesture and trappings, manned by the brigadesmen in their blue coats and shining helmets, led the way. Then came the Brass Band, headed by Drum-major Rutherford, resplendent in black and yellow, and carrying the orthodox decorated staff, which he handled with great dexterity. Then followed a long line of cars decollated in every imaginable style—some florai, some in national colours, others in conventional designs, but alloi them well carried out and many or them right up to a town standard of artistry. All the occupants were frocked in keeping with the gay exterior of their respective vehicles. One enterprising party showed remarkable originality in their representation of the ascent of Mt. Cook a tali conical tent like a cloud piercer, with alpinists (in the shape ,of kewpies) clinging at all angles to itssnowy slopes. Alpen stocks, ice axes, stout ropes, etc., were other aids to the realism affected. A gaily decorated lorry bore the community singers, whose charming frocking ana general make-up presented a riot of colour. Then there was the hiss toric gold coach, bearing sacks of precious metal guarded by stalwart policemen standing with loaded rilles. Following in the train of the .brilliant cavalcade that moved on wheels were scores of pedestrians masquerading in fancy costumes that ranged from East to West, from prince to peasant, from the sublime to the ridiculous! W hat a brave show they made! Never before had so many hundreds of people played at make-believe in the streets ot Queenstown. The procession was really a brilliant spectacle and he was a phlegmatic man indeed who dm not feel a thrill as he reviewed the gay scene. After making a round ot the town and threading its way through the Park the procession returned via the water front and pulled up in massed formation at the fool oi Church St. round about flic Soldiers’ Memorial. From a dais near by His Worship the Mayor (W. H. Esq.) welcomed the visitors to Queenstown and explained that tbc Carnival had been organised primari/y for the entertainment of holiday makers and in the expectation ol building up a fund for making Queensr town a still more attractive place than than it already was. After His Worship had cordially received such notable personages as “King Carnival', “Father Christmas,' Mr "Mitchelin,' “Constable Beer Barrel,’ “Johnny Walker,’ - “Baron de Beef’ - and other members of the Mustard Gfub, he officially declared the (Jarnival open.

Decorated Car Awards.

Messrs J. Eennie and T. Couh (Dunedin; were then galled on to make their pronouncement in respect of the best ’decorated car in the procession.

EVENTS ON THE LAKE

•The Night in Venice.”

They sa.-d there were so many oi almost equal merit to choose, from that they had experienced some difficulty in 'deciding on the winner; however, finally they had agreed that the prize must/ go to Mr W. Harper, whose little Moms Cowley with its dainty arrangeimnt of pink roses and Japanese lanterns and umbrellas was really outstanding. Mr \V. B. Paterson '(Ayrfarn). Mr T. Cuddle (Dimed in, am another were close up :or the honours.

THh CIIIi.DKKX’S DISPLAYS. Pets Parade. The Canival programme wisely included sever;*! children's displays, winch were indeed a delightful feature of the week’s entertainment. The first of these was the Pets’ Parade which took place on the afternoon 01 Keying Day. The entries in this section were nor as numerous as was expected' hut they were immensely interesting and amusing. Some dozens of tiny folk, ah in Carnival costumes, assembled in Shotover St. in readiness to process to the .Recreation ground where they were to take part in the Athletic Club’s sports gathering. Not more than a dozen ot them brought their pets but thev were a delightful little group that attracted considerable attention. On their arrival at the reserve the judge. Mr T. Stroud (Invercargill). made the - ads. which were as follow; —

BOYS: First prize, Master Frank Anderson, “Toni Mix” on pony; second prize, flay Tomkies, Chinaman carrying seagull, and Bruce Inglis, Bed Indian with a goat, equal. GIRLS; First, Misses Ngairc and Bua Wight, pups; second, Nola Curtis, "Folly” and Linda Edwards. “Early Victorian Lady," tied with canaries in cages. FANCY DRESSES— Girls: Misses Margaret and Kathie Hamilton, Bumble Bees, and Misses Norma and Beryi Bobins, Bathing Costumes, a tie. 1 ; Clare McEntyro and Betty Bales, Gipsies, 2. Boys: Masters George Mackenzie and George Schneideman, Scots College. Wellington (Bed Bird ana Indian Booster), 1; Master Malcolm Mann, Queenstown (Tomato), 9

Fancy Dress Procession and petitions.

On Now Year’s Day the afternoon was again devoted to the children, the initial event being a monster fancy dress procession. This was one o. the prettiest sights of the Carnival. Sedate old-world ladies, powder pull's and bon-bons paired off in delightful fashion; Nursery Rhymes found representation in Jack and Jib ana Little Boy' Blue, who kept company with more than one charming little Alice in Wonderland; birds and bunnies, pierrots and peasants, Rea Indians and rough riders. Chinks and Japs, and many other artistic or bizarre little folk revelled in the world of make-believe. It was good indeed to be there. Most arresting ot ab was the inimitable little two-year-old Jockey, perfect m every detail, carrying Stead’s colours and_ a tiny gold-tipped whip with the pride of the most successful raer of the season 1 Equally delightful was the wee two-year-old white labbit with —oil: such long ears and,* oh! such a beautiful Huffy tail! The sweet lack of self-consciousness made, them the cynosure of all eyes. Further charming touches were given to the procession by the decorated prams, 'go-carts, sunshades and hoops. The parade took place in the vicinity of the children’s playground, where the prizes were awarded and where games of various kinds were indulged in. The judges (Mrs Israel, Invercargill and Miss Rennie,. Dunedin) made up the following list of prize winners: — Best fancy dress, girls under 14: Misses Margaret and Kathie Hamilton fa pair of bumble bees), 1; special sec (lad prize. Miss *Mdira GavmXWhite Rabbit), and Joan Mackie (Pierrot), equal. Best fancy dress, boys under 11: Malcolm Mann (Jockey) and Graeme Anderson (Black and White Pierrot), (Invercargill) tied for first prize. Prettiest gin under 14: Patricia Inder 1, Leone Barker 2. Decorated Child’s pram: Mrs E. Gavin and Miss Ellen Philp, equal. 1.

Decorated doll’s pram: Miss Nona Curtis 1. Decorated sunshade: Miss Leslie Mcßride 1.

Decorated tyre or hoop: Norman Cundali 1.

Slow bicycle race: Master Ed. O’Connell 1.

Skipping: Miss L'na Borland. Tug o’ War, boys under 14, six a side; J. McSorilcy, E. O’Connell, C. Downey. N. Cundali, J. Downey and T. Murdoch.

Tug o’ war, boys under 12: ■). Creighton, J. McSoriley, T. Rutherford, T. Barnett, F. Lynch and A. MoDowall. In the evening upwards of 100 children assembled in the Harrison Hall in fancy dress for a dance and a romp as a wind-up to what must have been for the little folk a memorable day.

In one respect at least it was possible to offer Carnival patrons something that Carnival Committees in other resorts had not in their power to do. That was various forms of entertainment on the lake. Water is always attractive, whether it be the ocean’s surf or the placid calm of an inland lake. The Executive were not slow to recognise I Ins. and ah the excursions and lake displays were out; standingly successful.

The ‘‘Night in Venice’ was quite a spectacular affair in which decollated launches and rowing boats cleverly camouflaged as gondolas processed round the Bay with their human freightage of rollicking revellers, colourful in their fantastic 1 rocks, balloons and streamers. The community singers and orchestra supplied the melody and harmony, the air seeming to be palpitating with gay music. The moonlight excursion on .Saturday proved immensely popular-—as the takings demonstrated. The s.s. Earnslaw, which seemed to have assumed the proportions of an ocean liner as she berthed for the first time in her history at the Town wharf, was

The Side Shows.

Music’s Charms.

transformed into a fairy ship for the cruise. Linos of coloured electric globes hung from stem tu stern 01 the ship, while coloured streamers were effectively used as a canopy lor the top-deck of the vessel, where dancing to the strains of the Carnival orchestra took place on a specially prepared floor. Supper was served below in a veritable glade of fox gloves. Nothing more charming could be imagined than the effect that was obtained in the saloon, even the attendants being uniformed in appropriate costume. This trip was the gayest outing ever held on Lake* tVakatipu. Naval Battle and Fireworks.

On Monday evening when the twilight ‘had faded and deep shadows had settled down over the lake there were mysterious happenings in the Bay. Two pocket men-of-war stole out or the darkness and sundry small craft flitted hither and thither, giving colour to the "rumours’ that a naval battle was impending. It was nor, long before the mimic warfare commenced. The hills resounded with the echoes of booming guns, columns or black smoke rose up from the bosom ol the lake, and finally one of the doughty belligerents was seen bursting into flame, fired by the enemy! Any moment an explosion might be expected! With bated breath it was awaited! But a sense of relict was experienced by the thousand or more spectators who lined the waterfront when the ship-u-flre drifted on to the shore of the Park and burned to the water’s edge with any such terrifying sequel! And so the naval battle ended.

Towards mid-night the Earnslaw, with a couple of hundred passengers aboard, steamed out to the beacon, where a spectacular display of fireworks was made from her fore deck. It should be said that Capt. Herbert, 0.1.C., of the Lake Steamer Service, was responsible for all the lake displays. and his good men rallied royally round him in bringing his excellent ideas to fruition.

It; was on the waterfront that the throbbing heart of the Carnival was to be found. From end to ena this popular thoroughfare was transformed into a kaleidoscopic scene of colour and animation. It constituted the playground where the happy holiday crowds loitered and laughed by uay and “gambled’ by night. Lines or Hags and pennants floated gaily m the ' breeze and festoons of multicoloured lights scintillated overhead, shutting out the star-spangled sky. Each evening a moving sea of humanity pulsed backwards and forwards. Hut it was not a pushing and elbowing crowd. A medley ol sounds filled the air. There was a din ot voices, a shrieking of toy musieai instruments, a tooting of motor horns. Carnival was in the air. The spirit of the occasion seemed to have infected everyone. Roll-downs and other money-making games reminiscent oi the Exhibition were in progress each evening, and the cries 01 "“Chocolates if you win. and chocolates if you lose,’ coupled with other cajoleries of the enterprising showmen ‘called up vivid memories of “Chocolate Alley.“ On Mew bear’s eve the revelry reached its peak. Decorum was thrown to the winds, ' The staidest of folk gambolled round in quaint paper hats or grotesque attire; coloured balloons waved above the beads ot the crowd; confetti fob like snow in the streets; and paper streamers shot about in ah directions, w'liiding themselves round and round the joyous throng 01 roysterers. Nothing like it has ever, been witnessed in Queenstown before. Yet it was an orderly crowd, and the “man in blue 1 ' was able to look on and smile. The merriest 'holiday-maker knew where liberty ended and where law-breaking began. The Cold Rush.

The gold rush was another novelty introduced on the final day. Claims were pegged out on the beach and a host of diggers sought their “fortune’ in the shape of a gold nugget. However, the thrill of “Kawavau” was absent and speculation did not run at fever heat as in the big historic venture. Master Allan Inglis was the lucky lad who unearthed the prize. At the Shrine of Terpsichore. Dancing was listed for every evening ol the Carnival. On two or three nights the attendances were small but on the opening and two closing nights the fioor space was well occupied. plenty of variety and colour being lent by the wide range of fancy costumes worn. On Boxing night the ladies' prizes for the best masquerade were won by Miss Nancy Davis (Queenstown) as “Queen of Sheba,’ and Miss Norma Boyd (Dunedin) as “Tin Soldier,” 2; Mr Hector Wright (Wairio) as “Sandy McPherson,’ carried off the men’s. The prizes on Tuesday night wore awarded to Miss Jill Armour, Dunedin, (Early Victorian), Miss Martha Edwards, Queenstown (Eastern Lady; and L. Stubbs (Mexican). The Queenstown Dance orchestra provided the music throughout tbc week.

“Orpheus’ lute was strung with poet’s sinews . . . whose golden touch could soften steel and stones So run the lines of the immortal poet. The experiences or the recent week of revelry prove that music can also unloose the purse strings. The music provided was ol three distinct kinds—if we exclude the penny squeakers, tin whistles and mouth organs I The Band under Conductor St. Onier rendered splendid service in rallying the forces on the side of King Carnival; the Community singers- under the baton of Conductor Wootton were a very merry, tuneful and compelling combination, while the Queenstown Dance Orchestra- directed by Mr J. T, Lynch did yeoman service nightly. The Carniviu Machine.

Ah already referred to, the organising and engineering of I lie Carnival was a, weighty undertaking, and at. is only those who bore the heat and burden oi the day (and ol the night) who know how heavy that burden was. The money a 11 had to be made in small sums, and it look a fbt ol resource and energy to keep business stimulated for eight days, especially when the holiday crowd was a stationary rather than a floating one, Father Ardagh, (Japt. Herbert, Dr Anderson, Messrs L. Mann and I‘. flavin were .Executive members who worked unceasingly in order to command success. Indeed their sell-saci dicing labours can hardly be overestimated. As organising secretary, Air 0. MTnglis and his assistant, Miss !>• Da-'g had a big task both inside and outside the oilier*. A number of local residents as well as several visitors ciid gn*at srrvico on Hu* side Shows, while'the big run oi balloons, paper bats, streamers, confetti, etc..

The Executive’s Thanks,

reflected the good salesmanship of those in charge of this arm of the Carnival service. It would really be impossible to list up all the individuals who contributed to the carrying through of the Carnival. Suffice it to say that they have their reai. reward in the measure of success that was achieved and in having proved that citizenship with them is not a dead letter.

During the dance on the final evening a short interval was called and Dr. Anderson, chairman ol the Carnival Committee, addressed those present. He said that when the Carnivai project was started there were two objects in view. One was to provide greater enjoyment for visitors during the holiday season and the other to raise funds for the improvement *bt the breakwater. He was pleased to say that they had achieved both of these objects. Through the agency of the Carnival Queenstown had liad a very gay time ana he desired to thank visitors for their efforts in this direction and for the way they had helped financially. The Queenstown Brass Hand and the lire Brigade would have the first cab on or percentage of the amount raised by the Carnival and the balance would be devoted to the cost of constructing a new breakwater as already staled. Dr Anderson then expressed the thanks or the Carnival Committee to the members of the Lake V akatipu Service for all they had done to help to popularise the big event. The men had worked long hours at times without extra pay, which was very commendable. Then the Queenstown Brass Bairn under Drum-Major Butherlord and Conductor St. Omcr had come out each evening and helped materially to enliven the proceedings. He hoped that having started again, the Band would continue its eflorts to entertain the public. J lie thanks oi the Committee were also accorded in lull measure to the Queenstown orchestra, which gave excellent dance programmes each evening; to Mr Woof ton’s choir for their charmingmelodies ; to the launch, owners tor giving the use of their craft for the “Night in Venice’’; and to the people who assisted at the side shows and, last but not feast, to their .secretary, Mr C. M. Inglis. and lus vvoithy assistant, Miss Barbara Dagg.