THE MILITARY CARNIVAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2520, 2 July 1902, Page 12

THE MILITARY CARNIVAL.

BRILLIANT DANCES AND MARCHES

SCENES OF SPLENDOUR AND GAIETY.

The Garrison Hall has seldom presented the aspect of gaiety and life and colour that it assumed on Tuesday night on tho occasion of the opening of the military carnival. The stalls under the gallery, prettily decorated with hangings and festoons of muslin, the innumerable flags stretched from point to point of the ceihug, the magnificence of the stage, with its " royal " furnishings and canopy, and the many-hued costumes and smiling iac&s of numbers of young ladies, all went to form a reries of living pictures that were in themselves worth going a long way to see. The dances on the stage, under the albl© direction of Signor Borzoni, added another item to the splendour of the evening, the march affording an especially fin& spectacle as the participants walked round and about the space allotted to them. Th^n the sale started — the business of the eveningcommenced in earnest, — and things hummed merrily right' up to the close. The chatter and laughter of the fair vendors as they pressed their wares upon their victims was in the great majority of cases followed by the jingle of silver, and thus it was that, at the close, the treasurer found his hands and his pockets well nigh full, but still he was unsatisfied. He looks for a repetition of the occurrence every evening while tho carnival is open.

The attendance of the public was sufficient to crowd the gallery in every part a quarter of an hour before the commencement of proceedings. In addition a large portion m the floor was occupied by anxious sightseers.

Punctually at half-past 7 his Worship the Mayor, accompanied by Colonel Robin, Lieutenant-colonel Smith, and Captain Loasby, took their seats on the stage.

I The Mayor, having been introduced, said: Colonel Robin, Ladies, and Gentlemen, — I have been invited to be present to night to officially open this great military carnival and bazaar. It affords me exceeding pleasure to attend, as I am what you may call a volunteer enthusiast, having been an old cadet and volunteer, dating back to my cadetship in 1867, and I am still a member, taking as deep an interest as ever in volunteering It has long since been recognised that tho discipline enforced, and which must be enforced, in all volunteer companies is not only of great advantage to the members of the respective companies, but has a good and lasting influence in counteracting the rather unmannerly behaviour displayed occasionally by some members of the community v,ho are not volunteers. The great good military discipline and training ha» on our rising generation should be sufficient to induce citizens and parents to assist a movement such as this carnival, the object of •which is to raise funds to equip the No. 1 Battalion in a proper manner and form a battalion fund to further the prosperity and success of volunteering, a service that the public is inclined to overlook. There are 14 companies in No. 1 Battalion, eight having their headquarters at the Garrison Hall and six in various country townships. The total number of officers and men is 80S. The battalion has all along contributed its fair quota of men to the various contingents winch went to South AJrica, and at the date of the declaration of neace the number

then on service ranged from three to eleven per corps, and they all performed their dutiea faithfully and well — (Applause.) If I remember right, this is the first time that the volunteers of Dunedin as a battaljon have made a call on the citizens for assistance, and taking into consideration the services^*endered by the volunteers on all occasions at much inconvenience to themselves and families, it i3j I think, the duty of the public' to respond by supporting this venture, attend in hundreds, and spend money freely. — (Applause.) I will not detain you longer, for I see your hands are in your pockets already and your fingers in your purses, &o to let you get a start J now declare this grand military carnival and bazaar open for business, wifh a wish that the financial result will be highly satisfactory to all. — (Applause.) The Garrison Band then played the National Anthem, the whole gathering rising to their f&et.

The obj-eot in view in holding the bazaar is to obtain funds with which to procure uniform clothing and equipment for the No. 1 B*attahon, which is estimated to cost p. bo ut £2000 The carnival is under the auspices of the volunteers of the First Battalion, for whom an energetic committee, ranaiitaftg. si Idem-tenaut-colonel Sayjfr (pre«

sident and treasurer), Maior Myers, Captain Loasby (secretary), Captain Johnston (chairman Amusements Committee), Captain Crawford (chairman Stalls Committee). Captain Hislop (chairman Door Committee), Captain M'lncloe (ohainnan Printing Committee), and all the other officers of the No. 1 Battalion, 0.R.V., has been working untiringly for some months ppet.a c t. Their efforts have been in every way successful, and as a result, aided as they were to a very large extent by many ladies, the stalls are laden with articles, while many more remain on hand, to be produced as soon as there is room for them.

A spacious stage had been provided, on which the dances, which for weeks past ha T . c fingaged tht? undivided attention of Siguor Borzoni, were performed. These dances, which followed on immediately after the formal openinjr, were, of course, the feature of the carnival; in fact, when the Dunedin public know that Signor Borzoni io in charge of the dancing they -avo quite prepared to accept his name cu> a criterion of efficiency, and extend their patronage. We have had many picturesque and spectacular performances arranged by the Signor, and last night's, both from the point of view of spectacular effect and that of artistic beauty, fully came up to the best achievement of this master of dancing masters. In the lirst part of the programme the spectacular dance was descriptive of the Coronation, the part of King- and Queen being taken by Lieutenant Lacey and Mrs Lindo Ferguson respectively, both of whom were tastefully robed and carried themselves with becoming dignity. The representation of the nations at the Coronation was depicted by groups each of tome half-dozen, or more young ladies attired in costumes emblematic of their country, these beinoj Italy, France, Spain, Russia, India, America, Japan, and England. These groups marched on to the etage in turn, after which the King and Queen arrived and promenaded to the front of the stage and then back to the throne, where they took their seats. A number of young children, representing Young New Zealand and dressed in pink, carrying garlands of paper flowers, then made their appearance, and after courtesying to the throna went through a number of grouping movements, whioh were very pretty and gracefully executed. This was followed by a number of dances, all pretty and executed with a gracefulness and regularity of time that refleoted great credit alike on the ladies and on their instructor. The whole concluded with the grand march, the King and Queen, followed by pages and courtiers, traversing the lines of grouped national representatives. In addition to the representatives of nations above - mentioned, Scotland was also introduced — first, by a number of fighting warrior 3, and then by a group of girls dressed in tartan, tho latter especially finding favour with the Uudienep, who insisted on an encore. The Misrjes Bland also danced a pas de seul, which was well received. At a later stage several other dances were given, which, like the former, proved most interesting. The principal of these were a Spanish waltz, an Irish jig by six little girls, a Russian gavotte, and a grand gallois, in which flag 3 were brought into effective use. A commendable feature of the dancing was the excellent time maintained and the regularity with whioh all the various and intricate movements were executed. At times the stage was a perfect whirl of movement, when the scene, by reason of the many coloured attires and garlands, was most picturesque. The audience was demonstratively appreciative, and freely gave that applause which the performances co well merited. The whole undertaking was a triumph ofc Signor Borzoni's organising skill, and he, those associated with him, and tha ladie3 and gentlemen taking part are to be complimented on the success that attended their efforts. The musio waa supplied by the Garrison Band, under Lieutenant George, and no improvement could be desired in this department.

The stalls are eight In number, each of the town companies in the First Battalion taking charge of one. The Wakari Rifles' sbill is in charge of Mrs Washer, whose assistants are Mrs Moore, Misses Brydone, (3), Wilson, Watson, Gillies, Roberta (2), Washer, Robertson (2), Connolly, Grieve, Ballantyne, Church, and Robertson (2). The stall contains, among other things, a hanjsotne carved table, an oil painting of a Highland scene (by Mr- G. B. Lakllaw), handsome hearthrugs, screens; cushions, carved work, dolls, silk lamp-shades, and drawn-thread work. The City Guards' etail is presided over by Mrs Jack, with the help of Mrs Sonntag, Mrs Hughband, Mrs Christie, Mrs Fitzpatrick, Misses Burgess (2), Douglas, Falkner, Ferguson, Hunter, Provo. Kernahgn, and Brooks. On the etajl are i? fa flWfl f SMS"?, ffYTflttM^rVffi^M,

paper-racks, and other carved work, handpainted mirrors, haud-painted panels, placques, oil paintings, coal vases, bronze framed mirrors, and leather portmanteaux. The North Dunedin Rifles' stall i 3 surmounted by the motto "-For King and Country," and is in charge of Mrs Johnston, assisted by Mrs Longworth, Mrs Munro, Misses Macdonald, Anderson (2), Saruey (2), Gillespie, Rowley, Longworth, Marshall, King, Kilpatrick, and Johnston. In a splendid collection of articles there are conspicuous a solid oak overmantel, oil X>aintings. hand-painted mirrors, rockinghorses, tinware, fern stands and baskets, painted plaeques, and hand-painted mantelpiece drapc3. The Dunedin City Rifles' ■stall is tinder tho care of Mrp Poole and Mrs Hay, with Mrs Marratt, Misses Macfarlane, Smith (2), Paulin, Poole (2), Mitchell, and Nichol. Tho articles on view include children's clothing, all kinds of fancy work, carving, pictures, cushions, fancy tables, tea-cosies, and matchboxes. The City Rifles* stall is in charge of Mrs Brook, with the assistance of Mrs Love, Misses Mutch (2), Macdonald, Myer3, Mitchell,- Ferguson, Peebles, M'Mahon, Leslie, and Randall. Paintings are numerous, as well as children's clothing, ferns, fancy -work, footstools, dolls, and miscellaneous goods. The Dunedin Highland Rifles have a stall that is simply packed with goods, including oil paintings, pictures, Japanese screens, hand-paintod mirrors, far.cy afternoon taibles, occasional chairs, and Delhi work. Several mottoes m Gaelic adorn the stall. " Failte chridheil bhoan fhreiceadam dubh " (A hearty welcome from the Black Watch) being the most prominent. Mrs Stoneham is in charge, having th 6 assistance of Mrs Cameron, Mrs M'Kenzie, Mrs Harper, Mrs Diekel, Mrs Martin, Mrs M'Crorie, Mrs Williams, Misses Stoneham, Leslie, Bain, Nelson, Munro, Martin (2). Aitken, Turner, and Garbutt. The Cave-rsham Rifles' stall contains an attraction in the shape of a tea and coffee service, as well as carved trays, oil paintings, carved stools, and fancy goods, and the ladies in control are Mrs Loasby (in charge), Mrs Burns, Mrs Cowie, Mra Head, Misses Loasby (2). Bacon (3), Moore (2), Garland (2), Mills (2). Puddy, Mundie. Saunders, and M'Auliffe. The Green Island Rifles' stall is in charge of Mrs M 'Donald, assisted by Mrs Aitchison, Mrs Roai. Mrs Webster, Mrs Millar, Misses Highet, Taylor, Walker, M'Lean, Prentice, Waters, Marshall, Freeman, Mason, Millar, Hill (2), Horbison, and Kirkland (2). TJil paintings, carved work, drapery, cushions, underclothing, fancy goods, photographs, toys, and children's clothing are to be found in aibuddance on the stall. The lolly stall is managed by Misses Smith, Paterson, Moss, and Galiehan. The doll and toy stall ia in charge of Miss Robin, assisted by Mrs Pram, Miss Burt. Miss Wingfield. Mies Park, and Miss Hastie. Th» mechanical toys are a feature of the stall. The flower stall is under the care of Mrs E. R. Smith, assisted by Misses Henderson (2), Bothamley, Nicolson (2), Tapper. K. Leary, A. Fancourfc, Car&w, and Smith (2). There is a splendid collection of ferns and flowers sent in by a number of friends.

The doll competition resulted as followR : Class A— Flossie Head 1, May M'Kenzie 2; Class B— Mr Dowse 1. Mr Wiuton 2; Cla*3 C — Mrs A- Stronach 1, Miss Ryder 2. Miss J. Baker 3. There was a large number of entries in each class.

In the way of side-shows there is a for-tune-teller's tent, in charge of the ladies of the Wakari Rifles' stall; the Christmas tree and the bran tub are controlled by Miss Robin's assistants ; the Engineers have a very instructive side-chow, the electrical appliances being in charge of Lance-cor-poral Delamere and the field engineering 1 in charge of Lieutenant Midgley; and a shooting gallery is to be found in the basement. The business on Tuesday night was exceedingly brisk.

A league has been formed at Adelaide to urge th 6 construction of a trans-continental railway to Port Darwin on the land-granfl &3 r stem.

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