CARNIVAL OF MERRIMENT

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1163, 2 November 1917, Page 4

CARNIVAL OF MERRIMENT

a THE OPENING CEREMONY. The Colosseum was a scene of great gaiety last evening, when the Carnival of Merriment, promoted in aid of St. Mary's Roman Catholic School, wa3 opened to the public. A large crowd of people were present, and the building was transformed into a fairyland of light and flowers, while everywhere the flags of the Allied nations were in evidence. Charming young ladies, clad in white dresses, were busy retailing their wares, tickets for raffles, and tickets for prize packets, and few of those present escaped with as much loose cash as when they entered the building. The sides of the building were lined with stalls stocked with every conceivable variety of articles, both useful and beautiful, and reflecting the greatest credit on the stallholders. Well-equipped and well-tended tearooms were also in evidence, intensely attractive to thirsty and weary souls. The programme of tableaux, marches in costume, songs, and musical items added immensely to the enjoyment, and reflected the ability of the director, Miss Annie Adams, the effectiveness of the display being enhanced ty a capable orchestra, under the charge of Mr A. P. De la Cour, Father Seymour, who organised the carnival, in a few brief remarks thanked the patrons for their attendance, and congratulated the stallholders on their splendid display. Dean Regnault, in asking Bishop Brodie to declare the carnival open, extended to his Lordship a cordial welcome, and, on behalf of the parish of St. Mary's, thanked him for his interest and presence. The attendance at St. Mary's School had long outgrown the available accommodation, and since the Government would not help them they must help themselves. He tendered his heartfelt thanks to the organiser, the Rev. Father Seymour (the stallholders, and their willing helpers. (Applause.) Bishop Brodie, on rising was greeted with hearty applause. A few weeks ago he had visited St. Mary's Church, on the occasion of the opening of the extension of the church, and he had reprimanded the clergy for not having taken up the collection. (Laughter.) That evening, however, the people were being given an opportunity to repair the omission. Enthusiasm was a characteristic of the people of Christchurch, and it had been displayed by those who were working for the carnival, and he hoped that it would be reciprocated. He hoped, too, that Father Seymour's most sanguine expectations would be exceeded concerning the financial results. His Lordship then declared the carnival open. The first item on the programme, "The March of the Allies," earned the enthusiastic appreciation of the audience, and the following items of basket girls, croquet girls, arch girls, rowing girls, golliwog, summer queen, pierrot and pierette, folly dance, cosy corner, and Scotch country dance, being equally successful. Keen interest also was shown in the posted figures showing the position of the various candidates in the Queen competition, including a Hibernian Queen, City Queen, Schools' Queen,- St. Mary's Queen, and Suburban Queen. On the last night of the carnival a crowning ceremony will be held. On Tuesday evening next a special attraction will be the presentation of whips to the winning jockeys of the New Zealand Cup and Trotting Cup. Father Seymour, the organiser of the carnival, lias every reason to be well satisfied with the efforts of himself and his helpers, and it only remains for the public to do its part.. The carnival will lie open every evening, the programme commencing at 8 o'clock.