Russell’s Great Centennial Effort

Northern Advocate, 16 May 1939, Page 4

Russell’s Great Centennial Effort

[Special to “Northern Advocate ”] RUSSELL. This Day. 'the Russell queen carnival, which has been in progress since December, raised £785 15/- for the 'Kororakeka Centennial memorial project. The funds to date with Government subsidy added amount to approximately £ISOO. At the final night of the carnival the three candidates, Misses Rona Williams (R.S.A.), Olive Shedlock (Maori) and June B.aker (Sports) were presented. Splendid Response. In making this announcement, the chairman of the committe, Mr F. C. Baker, said: “My thanks not only go to the people of Russell who have responded, splendidly but also to the citizens of Paihia, Opua, Kawakawa, Whangarei, Kaikohe and from as far o afield aq Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, for their share | in our .achievement and to our seefe- j tary, Mrs Ross, to Mrs Martin, Mr and Mrs H. J. Keenan and to all the members of a splendid committee. The Kororareka Centennial Memorial Building Fund has grown to a proportion that even astounded the most optimistic. Sports Queen’s Success. The ’Sports candidate, Miss June Bdker, topped! the poll with a total of 29,562 votes (£367 2/-); Miss Rona Williams (R.S.A.) was second with 24,102 votes (£3Ol 5/6) ,and the Maori candidate was third. Thus has practically ended one of the most successful queen carnivals ever held in the Bay of Islands. The plans for the crowning cererpony will be discussed shortly by the central committee, comprising Messrs WCowper Anderson, chairman; R. G. Dagger, treasurer; A. H. Hitchcock, . secretary; H. J. Keenan, Sports delegate; G. Rotherham, R.S.A. delegate; and S. Maioha, Maori delegate. The Kororareka Centennial Building memorial fund now stands at £IOBS in hard, cash. This sum includes Mrs M. E. G. Martin’s donation of £3OO. The Russell branch of the Federation of Women’s Institutes aims to have a donation of £75 in hand before September next and there is only a further £9 to collect toward this

objective. A valuable Waterfront section has been presented to the people of Russell by the Baker family and on it will be built Russell’s memorial.