CARNIVAL QUEEN ELECTION.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13728, 17 March 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

CARNIVAL QUEEN ELECTION.

MISS BAXTER ELECTED

AN EXCITING CONTEST

(From "The Colonist/ March lo.)

Very great interest was taken in the result* of tho Queen of the Carnival voting contest, which coiu-luded on Saturday evening. The poll closed at the Theatre Royal at 9 o'clock, and final stages of the proceedings were witnessed by a crowd which filled the building to it's utmost holding capacity. Many people also awaited the result in the street.

As the hour approached for the closing of the poll, the supporters of the rival candidates bustled < about with feverish activity, gathering together odd votes and speculating as to how much should be put in to put their particular candidate at the head of the poll. At 10 minutes to 9 several bundles of thousands of voting papers were deposited in the ballot-box besides some block votes, and at the last minute more bundles of votes were rushed in. Punctually at 9 o'clock the ballot-box was closed and removed to. the box office, wJiere the votes wore counted by Messrs. W. W. Snodgrass, E. Dimant, and A. G. Shrimpton in the presence of Miss McGee, the returning officer, and tho scrutineers of the respective candidates. The counting operations occupied nearly three hours, and during this time a capital programme of songs, dances and marches was staged by the organiser of the Carnival (Mr. William Lints). Between times progress returns were- posted, and it was soon evident that the contest was going to be an exceedingly close one. The first posting showed that Miss Baxter (Hibernians) was in the lead, with Miss Bland (Hop and Barley Growers), Miss Buchanan fOddfellows), and Miss Betks (Public Service) next, and Miss Bradley (Territorials) last. The next posting showed a great change in positions, Miss Bland goinf to the top, with Miss Baxter next? and Miss Bradley, who came from bottom of the list, third, and. Miss Buchanan fourth. Subsequent postings indicated that the final struggle woulc be between Miss Bland (Hop and Barley Growers) and Miss Baxter (Hibernians), the other two candidates who had been in the running dropping back At one stage Miss Bland had a load cf 3500 and the result was looked upon as a' foregone conclusion. However, Miss Baxter's supporters were connclent - that they would pull up, and they did for the next announcement showed that the Hibernian candidate was within 10 votes of Miss Bland. By thit time the excitement was intense, an-i Mr. Lints stated that it- was the closest contest ho had seen. At 11.45 p.m. it was announced, amidst considerable enthusiasm that Miss Gladys Baxter (Hibernians) had been elected Queen of the Carnival by teh narrow majority of 279 votes, and that the Maids of Honour at the. Coronation ceremony would be Miss Bland (Hop and Barley Growers), and Miss Brodlev (Territorials). The number of votes recorded fo tie respective candidates, was as folio us (subject to v recount) :—

Gladys Baxter (Hibernians) U.oOS Dorrie Bland (Hop and Barley) 14.2JJ Gladys Bradley (Territorials) 9,690 Gladys Buchanan Oddfellows) 7,33 i Doris Betts (Public Service) 6,333 Elsie Harris (Defence jliflUr Club) 5980 Lily Peart (Farmers' Union) Wf Rona Hamilton (Swimming) • A^ Essie Hair (Old Boys) L*"

Total votes . J?*] ' Saturday's programme included -a .election from the programmes which vere staged during the Carnival week, and every item was heartily encorea. "The Soldiers," sung by Miss :Patti» Elliott, with inarch, proved one of the most popular items, and* was encored again and again, the audience joining

heartily \n the chorus. When the programme was concluded it was found that some tin.c would elapse before the final result would be announced, and request items were put on, and patriotic songs were sung by the audience, to while away the time.

The ; esult of the voting contest came as a complete surprise to most, people, as Miss Baxter had never occupied a prominent position in the daily totals Misses Bland, Buchanan, and 'Bradley had generally occupied the leading positions, and it was generally expected that one of these three would be elected .Queen. It Mas rumoui e<l that there was a "surprise packet," in the contest, but it was not the candidate who scored the victory. The Hibernians are to be heartily congratulated upon the success of their efforts.