THE MARDI GRAS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17147, 2 January 1930, Page 5

THE MARDI GRAS

CONCLUDING CEREMONIES CORONATION OF QUEEN THELMA Despite the disinclination of a large section of the public to leave Gladstone road till midnight on Tuesday, there Was a considerable assembly in the Childers road reserve to witness the closing scenes of the Mardi Gras campaign. The central feature of the ceremonies was the crowning of the successful candidate in the queen carnival, Miss Thelma Gwen, and this function was carried out with much success, sustained enthusiasm being evinced by the public throughout. At midnight a merry programme came to its conclusion, and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem were sung with fervor by all who remained to , usher in the New Year. It, had l:ieen intended to carry out the coronation ceremony shortly after 9 p.m., but in deference to the requests of several shop staffs, the ceremony was delayed fill after tiie closing of the business premises in town. There was a good gathering of the public at the appointed hour, and the postponement was accepted in good humor, the crowd being swelled almost continuously by new arrivals, particularly after 9.45 o'clock, at which time several of the business houses dispatched their staffs with the customary exchange of the New Year compliments. The interval before the coronation Was filled by a number of successful concert items, Mr. J. Turbitt contributing two popular songs, while a party of Maori girls Jrom Manutuke scored heavily with a series of numbers, including demonstrations of the long and short poi, songs, and a rousing liaka Later Air Victor Carmine entertained the crowd with his lightning sketches, and displayed a. considerable ability in repartee when members of his audience passed jocular- comments on features of his work. The interlude provoked much merriment, and Mr. Carmine's couliibution to the programme was highly successful.

The coronation ceremony was carefully planned and ably executed. Members of the committees of the respective candidates in the queen carnival ranged themselves behind the three thrones prepared for the candidates, that of Hie successful entrant being raised oil a dais. Miss Thelma Owen, who represented the St. John Ambulance, occupied the principal throne, being conducted there by Air. John Hopkins, the organiser of the Mardi Gras, and master of ceremonies at the coronation. On either side were seated Misses Norma Wilson and Nina Alurphy, candidates representing respectively the athletic clubs and tennis clubs in the carnival. A humorous oration was delivered by Mr. W. E. Bullivant, in the capacity of ‘‘Royal Arch Foosilier,” the burden of !ns remarks being an explanation for the holding of the Mardi Gras, and an announcement of the result of the carnival. The coronation was actually performed by Superintendent J. W. Kane, of the Fire Brigade, Who for the time bore the title of ‘‘Lord Nebuchadnezzar,” and placed the crown on Queen Thelma’s head and the royal sceptre in her hand. He spoke briefly but humorously, and later Mr. S'. Ilillyard replied' on behalf of the queen, with a Speech from the Throne which dealt humorously, though gratefully, with the personalities and activities of the variotie workers on behalf of the candidates in the carnival, and also those who had given their general services to the promotion of the Mardi Gras. A number of coronation honors were distributed, at the Conclusion of Mr. Hillyard’s speech, the recipients being: John Kane, Marquis de Hose Squirtor; Dugald Ferguson, Baron de Fire Ladder: Alex Thomson, Lord Dan do Lion; William Frnggatt, Duke de Benzine; Frederick Toferton, Viscount Kaitaratahi; Oswald Prance, Knight Commander de Gasworks; Gus Alley, Lord ile Racquet; Edward W. Fox, Baron de Cigarette. The honors were distributed mainly among the supporters of the respective queen candidates. This concluded the coronation ceremony, and an opportunity was taken bv Superintendent J. W. Kane to publicly thank all those citizens who had assisted to make the Mardi Gras a, success.

Later the public danced on the grass and on the coronation platform to the music of Mr. E. Sharpies’ Kind, the popular carnival song “Everybody s Coming to the Mardi Gras” being especially successful as a dance and song number.' A splendid fireworks display followed, as the conclusion of the official programme, Air. John Hopkins arrangements in this connection having been comprehensive; and in some respects very novel. This feature, was disposed of shortly before midnight, and further dancing 'beguiled the interval 1 ill the witching hour, when mftny of those present joined hands in a great circle to see the old year out and the now year in to the strains of “Auld Lang Syne” and Hie National Anthem.