QUEEN CARNIVAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24432, 18 October 1940, Page 9

QUEEN CARNIVAL

“ OLDE ENGLISH FAYRE ” DUNEDIN TRANSFORMED AN AMBITIOUS UNDERTAKING For over 12 hours to-morrow the heart of Dunedin will be transformed into something the present generation have never witnessed previously —an “Olde English Fayre” on spectacular lines that should offer attractive and unusual entertainment for young and old. Never before has so_ much work been put into the preparation of a fair, and never before have so many novel forms of entertainment been conceived. It promises to be the outstanding event of Otago’s Queen Carnival, and it should attract thousands of people who, no doubt, will find this notable function a most pleasant and diverting way of supporting a worthy cause. All sections of the community have risen to the occasion in giving the fair all possible support. At five o’clock to-morrow morning the carpenters will commence work on the stalls in the Octagon and neighbouring streets, and it is expected that by nine o’clock they will be ill completed and decorated By 10.30, all is expected to be in readiness for the commencement of business, but the official opening will not take place until 2 p.m., when a short ceremony will be carried out by the Mayor (Mr A H Allen)

Maypoles on the Green

It is almost impossible to describe in advance the scene that will meet the eye in the Octagon and in the city’s main street from Moray place south to Moray place north Probably the most spectacular sight and certainly the most beautiful will be the maypole dancing on the lawn in the Upper Octagon. Two maypoles will be used, and during the fair over 200 “ English maidens,’ in artistic crinolines of delightful shades, will be dancing on the green. Seventeen teams from various manufacturing houses in the city with 12 girls in each team will take part, and the slope of the lawn will show off to advantage the delight, ful old English dance, Factory employees are helping their representatives in making their costumes. Another feature in which girls will provide the chief appeal is a Bathing Beauty Contest, in which there are 17 entries. Valuable prizes are being given and this rather unusual largescale competition for Dunedin is certain to create considerable interest.

Varied Sideshows and Stalls

The Lower Octagon will be the scene of a remarkable collection of games and sideshows, and the Dunedin public will be offered similar entertainment to that which they were able to enjoy in "Chocolate Alley" at the Dunedin Exhibition 15 years ago. A wide variety of novel sideshows has been arranged. There will be an outstanding pierrot entertainment provided bv well-known Dunedin performers, with a Hungarian ballet of exceptional merit. Another novel 4 form of entertainment will be an exhibition of the newlv-discovered steel now being used so effectively on British ships in protective devices against magnetic mines. This steel seems almost alive when it comes alongside certain elements and in certain conditions. There will be oony rides in Harrop street for children. with eight ponies under the control of expert horsemen taking their voung charges for joy rides just as if they were on an English beach. Bran dins and other attractions for children will be situated in the Octagon. All along the main street from Moray place south to Moray place north will be scores of attractively arranged stalls in which all kinds of goods will be offered for sale. Some of the stalls will contain exhibits bv manufacturing houses and these goods will be offered for sale later in the dav to help swell the day’s takings. At either end of the lines of stalls will be a pie-cart, and in front of the Town Hall will be a tea rooms on Continental lines with tables arranged on the sidewalk. There will be five bands—the St. Kilda. Highland Pipe. Kaikorai. Green Island, and West Harbour Bands —to keep the air filled with music. Novelty Sports Programme A feature of the fair, which should attract considerable attention from the huge crowd that is expected to throng the streets, is the novel sports programme that has been arranged. In all there will be at least 17 novel races, commencing at 1.30,' All sections of the community will be represented in these contests, and the public will be given an opportunity to make their bets on their favourites on a totalisator that is being installed.

In the afternoon the events will include a Nurses’ Handicap. Taxi-drivers’ Handicap. Postmen’s Handicap, Navy and Army Handicaps, and a handicap for girls representing the various manufacturing firms. In a handicap event for barristers many of the leading legal lights of the city will be taking nart, including Messrs J, C. Mowat G. M. Lloyd, D. J. Simpson, J, B. Thomson. W, McAlevey, and R. S. Frapwell. A Publicans’ Handicap should be of equal interest, and the field will include such well-known hotelkeepers as Messrs A. A. Paape, J. Grant. D Finnegan. H. Crossan. J. Young. W. Hargreaves. F. Fay, G. Goughian, and M. O’Brien.- A Wheelbarrow Derby for the city’s magicians and a Sack Race for students should also provide plenty of entertainment. Amusing Races Promised In the evening an equally enjoyable time should be spent in Lower Stuart street. There will be a “ flying squad " race for students in which they should excel, for it consists of a sprint, followed bv a beer-drinking contest The Butchers’ Handicap promises to be extremely novel, for well-known sellers of meat in the city will line up at the starting line in such unusual “ colours ” as sheepskins and hides from a variety of steers, cows, and calves. In the Jockeys’ Handicap well-known riders such as Messrs Didham. Dooley, Connor. Richards. Clutterbuck Hamel and Powell will discard their mounts and capture supporters’ fancy by reason of their own form. A “ Beer Barrel Derby ” for city barmen and a handicap for leading military officers in the district should be other events of interest, Another novel event will be a Catch-the-train ” Race, in which students will be competing, This race necessitates the donning of an article of women’s apparel after a sprint of 20 yards between changes and a final sprint in full dress with an umbrella In the evening, winners of each event during the day will take part in the Olde English Fayre Champion of Champions ” Race.

One of the features of the evening’s entertainments will be a big tug-of-war contest held in conjunction with the Army Queen dance in the Town Hall. Thirteen teams will be competing. and the contest will be held on the stage, so that it will not interfere in any way with the dancing. Modern dancing will be held in the main-hall and old-time dancing in the Concert Chamber, and spectators, who will be admitted for a small charge, will be able to watch the tug-of-war as well as have the enjoyment of the dance music and a special programme of vocal items

The organisers are sparing no trouble in the organisation and conduct of the fayre, and all that is needed will be fine weather and the measure of support from the general public that such an unusual and spectacular function for patriotic funds deserves. AMBULANCE ARRANGEMENTS Assistant Commissioner W. D. Firrett, St. John Ambulance Brigade, advises that complete first aid arrangements have been made in connection with the Fayre, A first aid post will be erected on the lawn on the northeast side of the Octagon, just behind the Igrgc Patriotic Council hoarding. This will be equipped to deal with all minor cases, anything of a serious nature being removed by the St. John

Ambulance Transport Service to the Public Hospital, Brigade personnel will be on duty continually from the commencement of the construction of the Fayre until the conclusion of the function. Corps Superintendent D. S. Mac Lean is in charge of the arrangements, with whom is associated Corps Officer A, C. Leach miblic duty officer of the brigade. WHIPPET MEETING Interest in whippet racing in Dunedin has been increased bv the announcement that a meeting is to be staged by the Otago Whippet Club in aid of the Navy Queen. It has apparently caught the public fancy, and a record crowd seems to be assured. Dogs from all over Otago will be running in their respective colours and exciting racing can be expected The committee has done excellent work and no detail likely to contribute to the pleasure of the afternoon has been overlooked. Women visitors will also be well catered for. and afternoon tea arrangements are in the hands of a women’s committee. About 60 of Otago's fastest dogs will be competing, and the speed of these wiry animals will surprise those who are not familiar with the sport. Excellent trophies will be competed for. and all dog trainers are anxious to make next Saturday a red letter day in the history of the sport. The Navy Queen (Miss Jessie McLennan) will be present

AIR FORCE QUEEN The gala day held at Outram on Wednesday in aid of the Air Force Queen funds was conspicuous for the attractive fancy dresses of the children and the very high standard of the decorated prams and bicycles. The Queen, Miss Mary Pratt, who was asked to judge, had a very difficult task in choosing the winners in the various sections, A guard of honour was drawn up to welcome the Queen and her two Ccuntesses. Mr D. Ashley, chairman of the afternoon function, welcomed Miss Pratt and her party on behalf of the district, and expressed the hope that her campaign would be successful from every point of view. The afternoon took the form of stalls run by the ladies of Outram, Berwick and Momona districts, competitions and items from the local band. An afternoon tea stall was also run by the local ladies. The Outram Hall was filled to capacity for the concert in the evening, and Miss Pratt and her party received a most enthusiastic reception The concert party was one of the best that had been heard in the district and each item was warmly received. The chairman (Mr WES. Watson) extended a welcome to Miss Pratt and her party, and Mr A. C. Cameron replied. During the evening some of the articles left over from the afternoon function were auctioned by Mr W. J Crawford. As a result of the effort £99 5s 8d was raised.

A successful community sing was held at Waipahi in the evening, the Countess for South Otago (Mrs J, H. Stevenson) deputising for Miss Mary Pratt. There was a very good response to a flag appeal. Mr Ernest Drake is arranging an excellent programme for Lawrence tonight, when Miss Mary Pratt will be present. On her return journey she will make a cal] at the ball at Milburn.

To-day’s functions will include a social and fiance at Dunrobin, a ball at Earnscleugh, an air raid ball at Wanaka, an air raid dance at Roxburgh, a young people’s ball at Waikoikoi, a mystery parcel day and mock court at Balclutha. a concert and community sing at Lawrence, and a concert and dance at Milburn. The Central Committee acknowledges with thanks the sum of £2 11s 6d. the proceeds of a “ bring-and-buy ” sale organised by the Dunedin branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union.

CASINO AGAIN TO-NIGHT The Casino will be open again tonight at 7.30, when the musical side of the night’s entertainment will be provided by Jim Murray’s Swing Stars. In deference to the “ Olde English Fayre,” the Casino will not be open to-morrow night unless weather conditions cause a postponement of the fayre Those who assisted with the games and selling of lucky tickets during the Red Cross appeal or who have been assisting during the Queen Carnival sessions are specially requested to report at the office tonight