BELGIAN FETE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13672, 30 April 1915, Page 7

BELGIAN FETE.

ASHBURTON'S GREAT SUCCESS. (Per Press Association:) ASHBURTON, last night The Ashburton County Belgian l^ete organised m aid of the relief fund, attracted about 10,000 people from all parts of Central Canterbury, and though .still m progress, may already [ be staled to be a brillianb'auccess. ( It was commenced this morning with a monster procession, which included , many fine spectacular displays and numerous tableaux, and which took thirty [ minutes to pass a given point. The showgrounds had been quite transform- , ed with a multitude of tents containing [ stalls for the sale of produce and all j kinds of articles, while there were side shows galore, and a large committee of ladies /had provided lunch and afternoon .tea for 8000. > Many interesting and amusing competitions were held, including tugs of , war which drew entrants from as far t away as Oamaru, Citizens' Defence r Corps competitions, and farcical trot- » ting races, etc. Two thousand and four--1 teen sheep, ten head of cattle, teii • horses, etc., which had been donated , to the fund, were auctioned and realised over £2000. Great interest centred m the Queen . of the Carnival competition, which has been m progress for some weeks past, and which closed amidst great excitement at 3.30. The results was announci ed as follows : Miss M. Harrison (Rakaia district candidate) 163,229 \ votes Mis 3L. Wilson (Methven disf trict) ' 150,324, Miss D. Keith (Sports Clubs) 101.269. Miss R. Baird (auctioneers) 89,600 Miss M. Farrell (Hinds and Mayfield district) 85,531. Miss E. Fletcher" (retailev-8 of Ashburtffn) 45,607. The total votes were 633,£j60, representing over £7900, of which votes r«- '' prpsenting £2700 odd were put m during the last few minutes prior to the closing of the poll. I The fete is beincf continued m tho ti Domain to-night, when the crowning of tho "Queen" and a grand concert will eventuate. It is confidently anticipated that the total net receipts will reach £14,---000. The fete is under the Royal patronage of King Albert of the Bel- . gjans.