THE CARNIVAL OPENS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144852, 2 December 1915, Page 7

THE CARNIVAL OPENS.

A MAGNIFICENT PROCESSION. ANIMATED SCENE AT PUKEKURA PARK. When it was mooted a short time ago that it was intended to promote a carnival in New Plymouth on the liros of those held in previous years by the Central School, it was recognised by many that the only thing necessary for a brilliant achievement would be a liue day, for the New Plymouth public have already given proof that they are not bereft of tiie gala spirit that is so essential to the success of such an undertaking. This became increasingly apparent, as the energetic committee in charge of tho fete completed the final arrangements, and to-day, the day on which all hopes and tours Wore to be set at 'lest, it was a wonderful relief to find that the elements hail for tho nonce joined in the conspiracy to malic the day a memorable one. And trulv memorable it was! Manv in New Plymouth will long have cause to remember the third carnival in connection with the Central School, held when the nation was opposed to the might of Germany and the hearts of those at homo were stirred to great deeds calculated to assist the Empire. Actually the carnival began at daylight this morning, when, with the first streak of dawn, a hundred workers forsook their comfortable hods to commence the final preparations, but it was not until the afternoon that the public were permitted to grasp the immensity of the demonstration. Tho most magnificent of processions New Plymouth has known .formed up in Gill Street and extended from past tho old Drill Hall to far into St. Aubyn Street. Shortly after 1 o’clock, Lieut.-Colonel F. T. Bellringer (chief marshal) gave tho word to start; the Citizens’ Band stepped out to a martial air, and the carnival was on! A GLITTERING CAVALCADE. To 00 per cent, of tho spectators the procession which moved forward at the chief marshal's command was a revelation of invention, ingenuity and enthusiasm. Tho fact that it took ten minutes to pass a given point is a faint indication of tho number that took part in it, and it was calculated that the head of the procession was entering tile park gates when the tail was well down Devon Street. And every section of this moving glad-coloured cavalcade embodied something that arrested tho attention—a pleasing colour combination, a happily-disposed group of girls, a merry troup of youngsters, an instructive trade display, an interesting advertisement, a tableau, or else an incursion into the fanciful, or a burlesque on this inconsequent dream wo call life. The note patriotic was naturally the most insistent one on tho processional scale, tho devices showing a lively and varied invention. It was almost impossible to take in every glancing bit of kaleidoscopic colour in tho merry train, but a free impression can bo given of tho remarkable display. SOME OF THE UNITS. Following tho band, which led the procession, were “Air. and Airs. Tiny.’’ two huge characters who led the array of grotesque heads. This hideous collection has been soon before in New Plymouth, but to-day they proved as amusing as ever to tho crowds of people who lined tho side-walks. '1 hem were scoreof children in fancy dress, including the following;—Eileen Alolior, Noel Alollcr (Alaori), Daisy Reed (England and Franco), Aland Roper (Rod Cross nurse), Dorothy Smalo (England), M. Bonnoeh (Tattered Belgian), A. Bennoch (clown), T. Bcnnooh (sundowner), and C. Smtrdle, who was dressed in a little khaki uniform and'appealed to all to “Help tho Wounded Soldiers,” Then at tho rear of the procession was a rag-timo band of small hoys with a wonderful collection of instruments which emitted equally 'weird noises, imong other displays which caused hearty laughter was tho ono-ltorso shay, in which Uncle Kastus ami Auntie Clo drove to tho park in slate. Despite the disguise it was easy to pick Air. J. Lovell, who is inimitable in his funmaking, as tho genial darkic who drove the turnout. Air, P. J. Flannagan’s troupe of donkeys. were ridden by several gailydressed youngsters. DECORATED VEHICLES. There was a long string of decorated motor-cars, tho first of which contained the Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgess) and a few members of tho executive committee, all wearing tho brightest of smiles. ■Other cars, which were prettily decorated, included those of Miss Bishop, Mrs. J. Hawkins, Messrs. G. Gibson, T. W. Ward, J. M’Neill, and AL L. Holah. A splendid display was made by Alcssrs. May and Co. with seven decorated bakers’ carts. Each of these was tastefully got up in tho colours of one of the Allies, Britain leading the way with red, white and blue ribbons. A sturdy-looking bull-dog that added an essentially British appearance to the exhibit reposed contentedly on the top of the cart. The other carts represented Russia, Italy, France, Belgium, Japan and Serbia. The drivers were dressed in typical costumes, and on many of tho vehicles were dainty Red Cross nurses busily attending to wounded soldiers who were lying at full length on top of the carts. Other decorated carts were those ot Alcssrs. P. Lealand, City Aleat Stores, Lealand Bros., W. E. Bendall and Co., Sole Bros., C. Bond and'J.-Lister. Airs. A. F. Ennis drove a splendidly-decorated gig. and Aliss Ivy Doughty rode a decorated bicycle. The posters included those of Messrs. J. K .Hawkins and Co., A. Voale and C. Carter. Tho City Aleat Stores had a lad riding a spirited little pony, and the Taranaki Alotor Transport Co. had one of thisr big char-a-bancs in the processipn. TRADE DISPLAYS. The trade displays were a very pleasing feature ot tho procession. Air. Newton King had a largo motor-lorry, on which were piles upon piles of Amber Tips tea boxes. “Alonthly sales in Taranaki. over three tons, was tho announcement on the lorry. Messrs, Burgess, Fraser and Co. made a good display of Desert Gold tea, whilst Messrs. Bellringer Bros, wore represented by it miniature castle of Portland cement, with real guns that fired—but it was only flour, and no casualties wore reported. Tho working exhibits were really excellent. Tho Hygienic Tea Rooms wore shown on a lorry, visitors being helped to aft rnoon tea by the courteous etaff_

and the small fry being regaled with icc creams fresh from tho machine. A bakehouse was also included in the exhibit. The lied Post pennant fluttered over this display, which showed some of tho company’s employees busily engaged in making furniture of all kinds. Mr. M. 0. Butcher exhibited a striking example of the transformation that takes place when a vehicle enters his factory for repairs. A gig was shown badly battered and worn, and just behind was a handsome vehicle, with the inscrix>tiou “After repairs.” A huge plane adorned the front of Messrs. Boon Pros, exhibit, and inside the lorry were many specimens of the carjienters* work. Barrows, steps, etc., were manufactured on route to the park. Tho Technical College was represented by two impressive exhibits. The first of those showed boys of tho engineering •class, clad in overalls, busily attending to tho forge and also working at other engineering implements. Just behind wore die commercial and agricultural boys energetically typing and carrying out milk tests. These were very instructive displays. The procession was witnessed by a huge crowd of people, who packed both sides of the route streets from oill Street to the park', and the unanimous opinion seemed to be that New Plymouth had outdone itself in us carnival efforts. AT THK PARK. ‘‘Hero they come!” As soon as the cry wont forth that the procession was approaching, an army of busy stallworkers rushed into the open—fruit, Jollier., cakes and rallies were forgotten for the mofbent. all being eager to see the displays at close range. 'I he judging of posters, trade displays, decorated vehicles and fancy costumes was then prvH-eedcd with, after which there was a procession twice round the ground, this being a very spectacular item. At an early hour it could lie seen there would be n huge attendance, and at 3 o'clock the grounds were simply packed with people, whilst there was still a continuous stream to the gales of tho park. The afternoon’s programme was then in full swing, and a successful day was assured.