CARNIVAL SPIRIT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26770, 13 May 1948, Page 8

CARNIVAL SPIRIT

STUDENT PROCESSION

LARGE CROWDS AMUSED CLEVER COMMENTARY Presenting a happy burlesque of Otago’s Cavalcade of Progress, enlivened by a clever commentary on some other recent events, the Otago University students’ annual capping procession in Dunedin yesterday amused the lgrge crowds which, in spite of the. cold wind and intermittent rain, lined both sides of the long route taken this year. One of the many floats to create mirth was that with which the students took advantage of the recent “ hotel incident ” in the city. Apparently bewildered proletarian guests were depicted at the office of “ Swain’s Hotel,” and among the various announcements were, “ No Beds for Reds,” and “ Let's Paint the Town Red.” A subtle comment offered was: “ 1913 —Freedom for the Workers; 1948—Sempl'y Clap ’Em in Jug.” Another clever offering was the “ Semplotron Communist Smasher,” complete with a huge live red “ Communist,” looking very much like Mr Semple’s description of a “creature that had been hatched out under a wet sack on a frosty morning.” A Wide Variety There was a place for the “ Forgery Park Trotting Club ” and a burlesque on the “ new length ” of women’s skirts. A mammoth Gulliver was securely tied down on another float. A “parliamentary car” carried the invitation to “ throw a penny at this basket.” Above the basket was a picture of the Minister of Finance, Mr Nash. Walter Cash’s tax extractor was also featured. Another float depicted the Queen Mary Maternity Hospital, mentioning “Love Construction” and “ Estimates Free.” Such was the variety of the procession. Brass and Highland pipe bands took part, as did a “ girls ” marching team —the Varsity Virgins, among whom were such blonde buxom beauties as George Street Gert and her friends. Clowns and jesters with their money boxes trudged gleefully along, too. The pioneers were there in strength. The horse and dray period was depicted early in the procession with the gold prospectors and others all on horseback. Gabriel Read also received recognition. Two variations of the John Wickliffe were included as separate floats, both being complete with motley crews and passengers. An amazing cow led a team of equally amazing bullocks drawing a covered wagon. Ned Kelly and his gang rode with all the rest.

The industrial development of the south was not forgotten, pride of place being accorded the two principal products, beer and “ Hokonui.”

The “ Winter Capping Bride ” was a clever float portraying “ the Dunedin bride, or 1001 nights with a hot-water bottle.” Another was “ Winter Sports,” suitably or otherwise depicted and inscribed. A big submarine named “ Phoetus ” and attributed to Selwyn College, was accompanied by a large “ fish ” and dancing “ frogmen.” A “ water-saving scheme ” was offered for the information of the City Fathers and “ Jones’ defence of New Zealand ” made another farce. Atomic and bacteriological warfare was imaginatively presented in clouds of smoke.

Business with a Vengeance

University activities were also portrayed. What goes on in the “Walshouse ” when “ ye olde fang-snatchers ” demand “the tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth ” was shown in a new light. So. too, were the activities of the medical school. “ When at death’s door, we will pull you through” was the motto. The surgeons were busy on a patient with a big saw and hedge-clmpers. Large bones, “ chops ” and skulls were scattered about in business-like profusion. Ma Gubb’s Gremlins claimed to belong to the “ distinktive school ” where there are “no cooks, but oh what looks! ” These were by no means all the presentations. The entire procession, in fact, was marked by the essential ingredients of imagination, careful thought,' wit, and painstaking execu-

tion. Throughout, appeals were made for pennies, and invitations were extended to the onlooking public to throw what pence they cared. The collection made by the students throughout their “revels” is for the Crippled Children Fund, and the response yesterday was good. The procession left the University and traversed a route along Cumberland, Hanover, King and Frederick streets to George street. It then passed through the Octagon, the Exchange and on to the Oval, returning along Crawford street to the Queen’s Gardens.