THE CARNIVAL QUEEN

Southland Times, Issue 17485, 28 July 1915, Page 6

THE CARNIVAL QUEEN

RAILWAY AND SHIPPING PRINCESS. The ladies’ committee formed to further the candidature of the Railway and Shipping Princess met last evening, Mrs E. Challis presiding over an attendance of over 100 members. The following sub-committees were formed;— Entertainment Committee; Mesdames Caldicutt (convener), Finncrty, Aitken, Misses Marlin and Dreaver. Produce Committee: Mes-dames Cameron (convener), McGavock, Thomson, Galbraith. Smith, Holland. Arts Committee; Mesdames Curie (convener;, Robb, Olsen, Walker and Hunter. Tea Committee; Mesdames Finncrty and Thomson (conveners), McGavock, Fuldseck. Orr. Newcombe, Bennett, Scott, Finncrty, Thomson, Aitken and Challis, Aliases Joss and Aitken. Sweets Committee: Mesdames Martin (convener), Lowin, Martin and Hewitt, and Miss Holland.

Slower Committee: Mesdames Brebner and Isaacs (conveners), Hartley. Lowry, Dunnage, Gifford, Barnes and Coldicutl, Misses Aitken and Dunnage. Children's Entertainment Committee; Mesdames Liddell (convener), N. S. Thomson and Walker. It was decided to entertain the ladies from the Bluff at a gift afternoon on Friday next at 3 o'clock. A meeting will be held in the Library this afternoon at 2 o’clock in order to finish the construction and distribution of the badges. It was decided to work in conjunction with the men's committee, and to further co-operation in every possible way.

The meeting was a most enthusiastic one, and judging by the tone 11 that was evident throughout there was a distinct indication that energy and enthusiasm pervaded the ladies’ committee that has been formed to further the candidature of the Railway and Shipping Princess. In this connection it may be said that Mr K. M. Isaacs. who addressed the ladies present, expressed himself, on behalf of the executive, as being almost astounded at the enthusiasm that was being shown, and expressed the opinion that the Railway and Shipping Princess would, in the circumstances, head the poll. SPORTS’ PRINCESS. On Monday the Sports’ Princess, Mrs W. T. Hazlett, entertained a large number of people in Otautau to afternoon tea, and subsequently strong committees of ladies were formed to secure support for the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund throughout the, Otautau district. In the evening a large public meeting of supporters of the Sports’ Princess was held in the Town Hall, Mr A. A. Liddell (chairman of the Town Board) presiding. Nearly sixty persons were present, and the greatest enthusiasm was shown. The chairman, in his openingremarks, said the issue was now a clear cut one, for some of the retailers in the town had decided to support the Retailers’ Princes> That, he contended, would create good rivalry, and each party would work hard to raise more money than the other in the splendid cause they were all working for. Finance, art union, and entertainment committees were appointed, and it was decided to open the campaign with a social in the Town Hall next "Wednesday evening. The offer of a horse, trap and harness for the fund from Mr John Fisher was accepted with thanks, and several other donations were received. To-day the Princess’ supporters will be busy, for arrangements have been made to sell sweets, flowers, and badges both on the Riverton Racecourse, where the Birchwood Hunt meeting will be in progress, and on Rugby Park, where the final match for the Galbraith Shield, between Star and Invercargill, will be played. The proceeds from this match have been generously donated by the Rugby Union to the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund also.

INDUSTRIAL AND RETAILERS’ PRINCESS (No. 7). At an enthusiastic meeting of tho executive committees (ladies and gentlemen) held, in the ladies’ rooms, Esk street, last evening, Mr S. Craig presided over an attendance of close on sixty. The chairman addressed the meeting at some length on the steps that had already been taken for tho thorough organisation of this section, and was able to announce that within the next few days the formation of the various committees would be completed, and the interests of Miss Milne's candidature would then be energetically pushed forward by representatives of practically every industrial and retail trade associated with this particular branch. Several letters were read and dealt with, and one (from a local retailer), bearing on street sales of certain articles, was discussed at length, and it was eventually decided that a deputation, consisting of Messrs Craig, Bewley and the secretary, wait on the Organising Committee with reference to the matter. It was announced that the Orphans’ Club had decided to give a concert in the Theatre at an early date, the proceeds to go to each of the several sections, according to the number of tickets they sell, and all those present promised to dispose of as large a number as possible. The secretary read a long list of some of the donations already in hand or promised, and the sporting offer of one retailer to increase his cash donation from £SO to £IOO, if four others would do likewise, was loudly applauded, and the collectors of that particular trade assured the meeting that the other four firms would be easily found. Several propositions for money-raising were fully discussed, and by the enthusiasm displayed by committee members the public may rest assured of seeing several unique and varied functions at no very distant date. Tho ladies also have a number of projects already in hand, the first of which is a ladies’ gift afternoon tea, to be held this (Wednesday) afternoon in the Federal Tea-rooms at 3 o’clock, where Hiss Milne (the selected Princess) will be pleased to meet as ninny of her lady supporters as may bo able to attend. Afternoon tea will be provided. THE COUNTRY QUEEN. The joint meeting of the Patriotic Committee and the Farmers’ Union on Monday night at Wyndbam decided on

a vote to coalesce in supporting the Country Princess, Miss McQueen. A fresh committee was appointed to actively promote the candidate’s interests. Mr Foster presided, and Mr Stevens (from Invercargill) attended and explained the modes of voting. Mr R. Pauli was appointed secretary and treasurer, and Mr M. Richards assistant secretary. A large audience assembled at Waimatuku Hall on July 21, when a sale of good and produce and a concert were held for th© purpose of raising funds for the wounded soldiers of New Zealand. Although there have been various other calls upon the people of the district, they turned out in a praiseworthy manner, determined to make the affair a financial success. A strong committee had been formed to make local arrangements. preparatory to holding the sale, and by their efforts a very enjoyable evening was spent, and the above fund will be augmented to the extent of about £l2O. Mr William Strang occupied the chair, and, after a few introductory remarks, called upon the Rev. J. Chisholm, who referred to the return of those noble men, who had boon fighting for their country on a foreign battlefield. He also made reference to the sacrifice that war had already entailed upon residents of the district. While trusting that the call of those men who had been wounded in the present struggle would not go unheeded, he hoped that all efforts put forth should be accompanied by a solemn sense of the magnitude of the undertaking, of which these men had borne their part. An excellent programme was carried out by a number of visitors from Invercargill, who generously gave their services towards making the evening a pleasant one. The following were the items:—Pianoforte solo, Miss L. Rowe; solos, Mrs J. A. Hanan, Misses A. Wood and I. Simpson, Messrs N. Gilchrist, D. M. Rae and Philp: recitation, Dr Gordon; monologue and recitation, "The Absentminded Beggar,’’ Mr L. Alsweller. This item resulted in a shower of coins amounting to £2 Ss being collected ; quartet, "Battle Eve;” sextet, "Soldiers in Khaki,;” an amusing collection of oddments, "Here and There:” clarionet solo, Mr D. Rowe; and two selections by members of the band. A mock court opened its sittings during the evening, and quite a number of well-known residents were find for so-called serious breaches of the law. An auction sale of donated produce closed the evening’s proceedings, and the gratitude of the committee is due to Mr F. Mills, of Riverton, who kindly consented to dispose of the various articles. Two flags brought in about £l3, one of which, donated by the firm of McNeil and Clark, and purchased by Mr T. Fraser, was later presented to Mr J. Buchanan, as a gift to his mother, whose son was among the first, who fell fighting in the service of the Empire. At a subsequent meeting it was decided that the proceeds be credited to the Country Carnival Queen. TO-DAV'S MEETING. This afternoon at 2.30 in the Victoria Hail, the ladies' committee for the Army and Navy Princess will give a reception to the wounded soldiers who have returned from the front. Several of the soldiers will be present, and the public will hate an opportunity of hearing first-hand the th lulling narrative of how the Australasian troops stormed the heights of Gaba Tepo. A Gift afternoon will be hold in the Federal tea-rooms this afternoon in support of the Industrial and Retailers’ Princess, No. 7. Meetings in furtherance of the Country Queen will be held at Heddon Bush at 7 p.m.; Thornbury, Kapuka, and Orepuki at S p.m.; and Otahuti at 5.30 p.m.