THE QUEEN CARNIVAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 7523, 4 January 1917, Page 3

THE QUEEN CARNIVAL.

WAI MATE QUEEN" KI.F.CTED. Despite the inclemency of ,j,ho , weather (a thick drizzling rain was falling for the greater part of the. iinoming)a large number of both country and towns people made their way Timaru lo take part in the great Now Year's Fete, and by motor car, conch, and train, a steady stream of humanity (lowed southwards all the morning. The (rain arrangements for Geraldine people were very bad, and so Inconvenient that a large number who intended to travel by rail did not reach the grounds till long past pvidday. Members of the Geraldine Committee were early astir, and the county tent on the grounds was visited -by many who were on Queen business bent,. Hera the secretaries (Messrs F. Booth and D. McGregor) were in charge, taking in money which was being invested on the Queen up to the time of the final eount. Geraldine County visitors were cheered during the greater part of the day by seeing their gold and purple fag resting proudly at the masthead, and it was not, till ten minutes to .1 p.m. that it was lowered lo second place, when IVaimale came out on top. Half an

hour later Mackenzie County van into Bccond place, and then despite all efforts! the flag had to ■ though the two leading Queens reversed positions before the final order, Waim.ate (CIO, 15!) 13s lOd), Mackenzie t:8109 Is (id), Geraldine (£0055 l‘2s -Id). and, 7imam. (£2538 13s fid) was posted. The grand total of £'27,7fi3 Is 2d represented a splendid contribution to the patriotic funds, and the cheering was loud and hearty for the various Queens. The best of sportsmanship was shown by the losers, all being animated by the knowledge that the efforts of the past two months had resulted in so groat a sum having been collected for the benefit of our sick and wounded soldiers.

Shortly after the announcement of the election, Mr d. S. Jtutherford drove Miss .Rhodes, the South 'Canterbury Queen round the arena in his coach and six, motor cars with the other Queens following. Queen Doris, who looked in no wise disappointed at the result oi the election, was driven round by Mr Connolly, and escorted by Major J. Kennedy and Air It. A. Dixon, equerries. The ladies then alighted from their cars, and a procession was formed, to the. dais in the centre of the ground, whore the crowning ceremony was being awaited by the crowd. When the Queens had been assembled on the dais, Mr Guinness, to the great disappointment o[ the thousands of country people who were unable to attend the theatre in the evening (it would not have held a tenth of tlion- H if they could have stayed), announced that owing- to the tyeathcr, and the danger of the di'esses being spoilt, there would be no ceremony on the grounds, and asking- the people to come to the theatre that night, where the full ceremony v oukt be gone through. 'There is no doubt that great disappointment was felt at the decision whjlch ,was come to. 'There hud been no rain for several hours, and the slight ibvecze was not a .cold one. Even if the full dress ceremony was not possible, the mass oi the people would have been gladl ii ap opportupiey had been given th<>u' ( to | show their gratitude to the ladies who m>d worked so hard, and made sjich saciiTices. THE CORONATION. o,'ho Coronation ceremony look place in the Theatre Royal on Monday evening. The theatre was beautifully decorated and was packed with an enthusiastic audience. Each of the four boxes wen: tastefully decorated with the colours of the respective Queens, and the “throne room was a particularly fine sight, the dais on which the Queen sal being illuninated with small electric lights, while above Ity ’was & -huge crown 7m coloured ‘lights, and above that a Union Jadk formed of red, white,’’and blue lights. The walls were draped with pale blue and pink material. On the apkearance of the Queens and Princesses round of cheers were given. The first part of the programme took the form bi an.'*73nt'ortadnment„ given by thjc pppular Savage Club, the various items being loudly applauded. J

—The Crowning Creniouy.—■ After an interval the coronation of the Queen took place with full pomp and ceremony. Fhotograohs, taken and coloured by Mr '’igott, were shown on the screen and evoked thunderous cheers. The Royal procession comprising Queen Airini, Misses Richads (Waihao) Dailie Creek), and Jones (Waimate), her ladies .n waiting, Qiueen Nauiinai and Miss (Idford, Queen Doris and Miss Aspiual, (Temuka), Queen Alice and Mi-s Riles (Gleniti), Miss M. Ardagh, Mistress of the Robes, Messrs K. 11Guinness, Lord Chancolloe ; 0 Jones, Lord Chief Justice; J. V. Murphy. Lord (High Chamberlain ; pages, trnn hearers, girls representing the Allies and the Dominions, insignia. heaters, etc., walked through the aisles of the auditorium, (enabling the audience <o get a close inspection of the mfci.jhcent’ dresses. AVhen the retinue rcok •their places on the stage >he tight was a fine one. Fanfares of trumpets were well played by Trumpeters TaVlor and Matt, and the Imperial Cm lunation March was played by the orchestra during the ceremony. -Address to the Queen.— The following address was read by Hr Cr. E. M. Jones to the Queen I hero present unto you Queen Airini

tlio undisputed Queen of our fair realm.

Wherefore all you who are'-pome this day to do homage and service, mo you willing to do the same Your* Royal Highness, High Mi ul ' slurs of State, Citizens of the Splendid ileahn of giving-

Ky virtue of our rights of Carnival we arc assembled hero lo honour in reverent gladness the high ladv of our choice. Ihe voides and votes of our people have been beard and counted, and with aeetaiiu we hail the lady who shall shortly be crowned as her whom destiny has named our Queen.

As represent a live of beautiful womanhood her perennial right of sovereign sway will bo recognised by all her worthy subjects. Ait a tin*; when our .State iq om,broiled in war with an utterly merciless and malicious foe, hi thankfulness of heart we turn to woman the pitiful and tender. 'To-day our hearts are moved, but not with hate.

The j 'message that Her Majesty will bring when the crown has been placupon her brow, will bo love for (hose most gallant'. men| our sons and fathers fighting at the front. When in the fulfilment of the duty of my high office I have accepted the pledge of fealty to the realm of carnival that our high lady will gladly give, we can rest assured that full favour and gladness will bless our State.

* Our men will fight the braver for the land that honours womanhood as we do now. TTonie and childhood will ';e even brighter under the reign of our good Queen’s favour. fn preparation for this day of great re'oicing the work of giv ng to the wood cause has gone 'forward constantIv. We look with confidence for the coming reign to he, not the culmination but an earnest continuance of 'I/- virtue of splendid service. Under the favour of our Queen’s glad smile wo shall rejoice to serve for the high rights and liberties of State, the homos and lives of the people, to help o'ur brave soldiers ' at the front and their dearj ones waiting in patient, and trying fortitude at homo.

fn the name of the people here, as- • trembled I call on the Lord High hancellor to crown Queen Airini as 'ueen of the CarnivalThe Lord High Chancellor, Mr Guinness, then performed the actual crown ing ceremony, the Queen promising faithfulness to her people. Amidst cheers the crown was- placed on Miss h'&( Tlcis’ jhe'ad, and Ifchc parlous pililncossea were presented to her by Miss Ardagh. v

To Miss Ardagh the highest praise is due for the manner' in which she carried out the important .duties oi the Mistress of the Robes.

—Speech from the 'lhronc.r |«lw following' speech . front the Throne was rend by Miss ttrdagh after the knighting of Mr E. R. r ' mn ' nos*, who 'was given the title ° “Duke of Tlmaru.” ,Arise, 0 Mighty One : Ab it hath pleased the people to honour mo. as then- puoon, so doth it- plea* -me to honour thee* Arise, Sir,

My, Lord High Chancellor, Ministers ‘of State, and My Most worthy and Loving Subjects I am moved to-day with deep thankfulness and gratitude on account of the great honour and most high trust that you, my dear people, have placed in nip.

The duties and '’obligations .of ra'.y high estate would be altogether too great a bjirden for me to assume were 1 not assured that you will at all times up ray hands, that we may together carry out the purposes to which our State is committed.

It is with very special pleasure that I accept from your hands the gift ol loyal service in the interests of those who truly need our full measure oi helpful assistance. , 1 bear witness to you, my people, that for the good and noble purpose of giving to relieve suffering and distress my sister Queens and all the women of our State have generously striven each to excel in the good work. From every part of our wide Realm the joyous message is conveyed tome that no discord is found amongst us, and my heart.- is filled with reverent gratitude on account of this widespread manifestation of unity amongst our people. 'The law of our Carnival and the constitutional rights of doing the best possible on behalf of our wounded soldiers and sailors and their dependents I shall always gladly maintain.

To-day our hearts are filled with gladness on account of the bravery ol our sons who are lighting at the front.

I shall cull upon you, my people, to join me in honouring those who have as heroes given their lives for our dear land, and to work still the harder to help those who remain buns to assist.

Let us over keep in mind that the name of Britain has stood as a beacon of liberty, protection, and helpfulness -to the peoples of the world, so that in our Realm of Carnival wo map each and every one acquit ourselves .with honour in upholding the grand old name.

For the high principles of humanity, the rights of free peoples, tho sacrodneaa of our homes and the tender protection of, childhood, in the name of womanhood I bid you all be faithful in ibis hour of great trial. Your Queen places her services at her country’s disposal. Thus Jo I accept the high honour of this great occasion.

Coronation Honours. Among the prominent citizens oi « realm honoured by the Queen were the

following : - -n His Worship Cm Mayor, 11 J ' Guinness—. Duke of Timaru, K “ l F ht ° Caroline Hay, Commander-in-Chief o Her Maiestv’a Forces, Field Manna . Mr d.’.J. Talbot. TM .I’.-'ih'i.vy Councillor lo Her Majesty the Queen, Karon oi Fields of Wheat. Mr d. Rutherford. - Charge cl aliaires in the Royal Stables, I.oid Alpine (‘.Timbers and f’rince of '-n « tortnmers, Knight of Q' o am Koval Clameket'per. air R. If- .Rhodes—Cord of all he surveys, 'Guardian! of} Her MaljostyTs dowels. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Earl Marshal of the Ikalm, Duke ol Golden Caskets, Prince of FI Dorado. Hr T. Gunnion— Speaker of the (Tonse of Commons, Chief Herald to Public Functions.

Air J. Kennedy - Knight of the Royal Mint, Private Secretary toller Majesty and Knight Commander of “Scraps of Paper/’ Air J, Connolly. l —Knight of the Shamrock, Earl of Leinster, M'unstci, Ulster and Connaught.

Air A. Dixon. —Knight of the White Fleece, Lord of Ewes and Rams, Chief Shepherd to Her Majesty and Keeper of the Tender Mutton. Afi’ -T. M. Barker.—Earl of Woodbury, Lord of Highlands and Lowlands, the River, the Lake and the Fish-pond. Mr Duncan McGregor- —Chieftain, of Hie Clan McGregor jand ( A,fH.G. in Waiting to Queen Doris.