CAPPING CARNIVAL

Otago Witness, Issue 3468, 31 August 1920, Page 44

CAPPING CARNIVAL

THE STUDENTS' DAY. PROCESSION IN THE STREETS. While the sober-minded citizens of a sober city smiled tolerantly and often benignly, the students of Otago University on Wednesday rioted and revelled up and down the streets. It was capping carnival day, the day when books of "swot" are thrown to the winds and when the undergraduate, casting aside his worries about " exams" and his proverbial shortness of cash, dons the motley and knows no law but the law of license to do as he pleases. The feature of the day's festivities was of course the carnival procession, which differed in no essential respects from the processions of previous years. It was burlesque from first to last, and, in some cases, clever burlesque. Leaving the University buildings about half-past 11,' the long line of lorries proceeded past the Hospital and into George street, which, despite the cold wind that was blowing, was lined throughout its entire length with _ sightseers. First in view came a few outriders to clear the way, a task which was rendered comparatively easy by their fearsome resemblance to the Mexican brigand of fact and fiction. Next came a "Jazz" band, clad in the weirdest of costumes and making the weirdest of noises. This was followed by the feature of the procession, the "Royal '■. carriage, containing " the Prince of Wales," "Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey," "the Mayor," and the usual number of "lords in "waiting." The youth who represented the Prince bore a passable likeness to his Royal Highness, and as he ! stood there bowing and saluting a. wave of laughter passed along the lai-ge crowds lining the streets. Then followed the customary representations of "Dr Truby King's Tiny. Town"; the Plunket Society; "Vaccination"; "St. Clair as we would like to see it"; the Cooked Food Company, involving "easy days and, troublesome nights"; the New South Wales State ."Jazz" orchestra, and a number of other local hits: "In addition, there was a very effective "take-off" of a well-known girls' college, the "young ladies," in a wide variety of costumes but all wearing the uniform hats of the school, marching two by two in solemn procession under the eye of a sedate "mistress" who brought up the rear. A well-known restaurant was also amusingly parodied, as well as a certain butchery establishment, the wares of which were advertised by a great swinging of dead cats and by the accompanying significant legend, " Our Sausages are Hummers." One lorry bore a rude gallows, and raids were made by the "executioners" upon their friends and enemies,' the., captives being unceremoniously hoisted upon, the vehicle and "strung up" in the air. In at least one case this rough treatment was meted out to a citizen whose physical condition should-have exempted him from such treatment. After going as far as the Monument the procession circled round and returned to the Town Hall, where the "Prince _ of Wales" was accorded a civic reception, and the freedom of the city was conferred on the students. A number of most humorous speeches were made by\ the " Mayor," by the " Prince" himself, who very creditably imitated the voice of his Royal Highness, especially in referring to "Myfather, the Kins'." and by " Sir Lionel Halsey," who concluded by announcing that the "Prince," ,the "Mayor" and-Jiimself were about to depart "to have a long beer." The formal ceremony terminated with the conferring of a knighthood on the " Mayor," who knelt before the Prince, and rose as "Sir William Begg." ' The procession then broke up into a number of parts., and after the students had vefre&hed themselves according to their tastes —and there appeared to be a good deal of unanimity on this subiect —they continued to indulge in a variety of antics about the streets. Female attire seemed to bo very popular among the rank and file, and many conspicuous figures were _', seen abroad, during the afternoon. Raiding parties also visited a number of schools and colleges, as well as business premises, end one or two extraordinary occurrences are reported to have happened; but it has to be admitted that this is an aspect of carnival day which should not be encouraged overmuch.- It is not every student, who knows when the bounds of good taste and decorum are being exceeded —especially on carnival day. THE CARNIVAL CONCERT. The capping carnival entertainment which was presented at His Majesty's Theatre last evening was thoroughly in keeping with the high standard' which has been maintained by these concerts in the past. Local colour naturally played a large part in the performance, and this lent to the programme much of its attractiveness, the personal allusions and intimate "take-offs" proving extremely papular with the large audience. Those who went in search of the tonic of laughter found it in full measure, and at the close of the entertainment they returned to their homes well pleased with what they had seen and heard. The dimensions, of the audience and its enthusiastic reception of the various items offered supplied convincing evidence of the fact that the University has many friends.