QUEEN OF BRIGHTON

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 47

QUEEN OF BRIGHTON

THE CARNIVAL CONCLUDED. Prior to Saturday the Brighton Carnival Committee had been responsible f<u niirner ous displays that reflected great credit on the organisers. Forethought, energy, onthusi s:n, and originality—all were embodied in their efforts, and ihe results were welldeserved success. No doubt there wi re some who thought that the height of their ambition had boon reached; that they would be content to rest on their oars for a year or so. allowing the coronation ceremony to pass without any attempt to eclipse their previous achievements. But such was not the case, and this was evident to the large crowd in the marquee on the Domain oil Saturday immediately the coronation procession had entered, (her 70 strong, and clad in costumes of many colours artistically blended, the procession presented a scene that w’as indeed one of splendour, and the niien of the young people was befitting in its stateliness. Very little time had been allowed for the rehearsing of the ceremony, and it is therefore still more creditable to both instructors and jierformers that their display was such a pronounced success. Although the weather in Dunedin was unfavourable and prevented many from going to Brighton, the conditions at that popular seaside resort were quite-pleasant, and there were about 600 present at the coronation. The procession left the dressing tent at 3 o’clock, and. led by the Earl Marshal (Miss Frances Allen), marched into the marquee, once round it, and then took uo a position on the stage, the Queen (Miss Loma Begg) mounting the throne, where she was crowned by the Chancellor (Mr J. H. Combes) and presented with the symbols of monarchy which were handed to the Chancellor by the Mistress of Robes (Miss Kathleen Aslin). The Princess of Ocean ‘Lew (Miss Myrtle Bush), the Princess of Brighton (Miss Minnie Aburn), and the court officials were then introduced to the Queen, and after this ceremony honours were conferred on several residents who had won distinction during the progress of the carnival. After the singing of “Long Live the Queen,” the procession left the marquee, marched round tne ground, and then retired to the dressing tent. Music for the marching and siting was provided by Mrs Begg’s orchestra and by three pipers from the Dunedin Highland Pipe Band. The following, in addition to those already mentioned, took part in the procession Queen’s Maids of Honour. Misses Myra M’Kinley and Nancy Aslin; Princess of Ocean View’s Maids of Honour,. Misses Edith Braid and Hilda Al’Coli; Princess of Brighton’s Maids of Honour, Misses Martha Birtles and Evelyn Shepherd; flour girls, ribbon girls, heralds, and standard bearers. A concert and dance were held in the evening, and the attendances at these functions were very satisfactory. The total stings for the day amounted to over £SO. At the conclusion of the concert Mr M. Stevenson, president of the Brighton Advancement and Amenities Society, thanked all who had assisted for the manner in which they had responded to the appeal for funds. Ihe takings in connection wiLh the carnival had been very satisfactory, amounting in all to £IO3O gross. He said that he hoped that the different institutions which had to spend the money would do so with as great care as the Carnival Committee had taken in raising it. flivetwelfths of it was to go to the Brighton Advancement and Amenities Society* which had in view tile building of a memorial hall, and which had £350 to its credit at the present time. With that and its share of the profits of the carnival at its (lisp aval it hoped to be able to proceed with he erection cf the hall at once. One - tin dot tne money was to go towards the erection of tennis courts, and he understood tnat these were to lie situated on the Domain. He would lie disappointed if one of these was not ready by Eaater. Ihe remaining one-fourth of the money was to go to the Domain Board, and he felt quite sure that that board would spend its share in the best interests of the users of the Domain. He would like to remind the public that as far as the Domain Board was concerned, although a public body, it had no rating powers All the revenue it derived was the paltry sum of £8 a year for grazing.