CENTRAL SCHOOL CARNIVAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144853, 3 December 1915, Page 4

CENTRAL SCHOOL CARNIVAL.

A BRILLIANT SPECTACLE. MANY INTERESTING EVENTS. The Central School Carnival has an undoubted right to be considered and recorded as one of ttfe most successful of all the functions which have been held in Now Plymouth, in aid of the patrique lands. Upwards of 1000 boys and girls from the schools of the town and suburbs took part in this striking effort to assist No. I Stationary Hospital and to provide comforts for those going to the front, and in addition the onlookers numbered close upon 4000, some estimates of the attendance being higher still. SCENE AT THE PARK. “Lucky is no word for it,” said a member of die committee in referring to tho weather. The conditions were indeed glorious, ideal New Plymouth sunshine prevailing throughout the day. By the early atternoon, when the majority of lug spectators hud assembled, they formed, vn unbroken ring around the Sports Ground area. The. terraces on ail sides were completely hidden from view, so dense was the crowd thereon, whilst the various, walks were thronged. Out on the* green there were everchanging spectacular effects. The colour scheme was intensely picturesque, all the tints of the rainbow blending on a general background of white in the -costumes of tneschildren, and the green ol the field and terraces. Those who were not present would have difficulty in visualising the actual picture. What with rallies and competitions galore, the spectator was not allowed a moment’s peace. But it is all for the wounded soldiers, and lie who would not give his mite in such a cause has no place in the calculations of carnival workers. The response, however, was very good, and indeed the carnival showed once more what a deep well of sympathy exists in the hearts and minds of ail classes in Now Plymouth for tho men who arc fighting our battles in the Near East.

‘ Have a shy at tho Kaiser. Here you are; six shots for sixpence!” "A dressed doll for a penny—all its'underclothing on!” "Conic and find Aho Potash —the mysterious Hebrew!” "Try your skill at the famous luiop-la. Prizes anything from £2O to £do.” "Here yon are —lovely cigars for sixpence, warranted to burn'.” These were only a veryfew of the catch cries that made up the clamour of the fair. THE BABY SHOW, The shady patch in the roar of tho stalls was die resort for proud mothers with babies. There were babies of all kinds —giggling, crowing babies, whining babies, babies fair and dark, fat and thin, boys and girls—a wonderful collection of infants, which gave the judge, Mrs. D. Blackley, some real work to do. The results were, as follow; Under nine months. —Newton Cramer L Esmond Asquith 2. Alick Mackie 3. There were. 24 entries. A number of gold brooches, presented by Mr. Ambury, were won by Percy Finchnm, Evelyn Thelma Boulton,, Malcolm Lindsay, Lawrence Gilbert, Kejmeth Allen, Willie Liley, Nancy Croolc —all highly commended. Under 18 months.—Barton Revell 1, Kenneth Knight Hawkins 2, Nnrissa Baldock 3. • There were 32 entries in this class, and the following were awarded brooches: Clarissa Tlico. Boulton and Sylvia Iris Munro. Twins. —Mrs. and Mr. 11. .Moon’s twin girls and William and Mabel Schwamm 1. These were the only entries, and as there was a big difference in the ages, the latter pair being some months older than the former, the judge (Mrs. Blackley) did not separate them, donating another prize herself.

PROCESSION AWARDS. As indicated in ouy report on Thursday, the procession was quite unique in the history of New Plymouth. In tho competitive classes the judge (Mr. A. M. Bradbury) made the following awards: — • Best patriotic display.—May and Arrowsmith. Best working exhibit.—Boon Bros. 1, Hygienic Bakery 2. Best trade display.—Newton King. Best decorated motor-car.—Mrs. Burgess. , Best decorated vehicle.—Sirs. Innes. Best decorated bicycle.—Miss Doughty. Most original deploy.—Bellringer Bros. Best poster.—Dorothy Smale (John Bull). Best fancy costume.—Tommy Bennoch (swagger). ITEMS BY THE CHILDREN. Nothing more pretty or effectual in the way of a gala spectacle has ever taken place on the sports ground. And how the littje ones enjoyed themselves! They sustained a magnetic animation throughout the long May, showing no signs of fatigue, but only eagerness and zest, until it was at an end, many even then being too excited to give way. The first item in which the girls took part was tho maypole dance, in which 36 Central School girls (under Miss Henderson, assisted by Miss Drake), tripped merrily round the maypole. The colours were red, white and blue, and the same colour scheme was employed in tho flag march by pupils of the West End School (under Miss Ada O’Brien). In this item the children formed squares, triangles, circles, anchors, arches, etc., and tho accurate way in which they carried put the marches brought forth general admiration. Twenty-four girls from the Convent School went through a hoop march very gracefully, the exhibition being a faultless one. The March of the Allies by Central School children (under Miss Dempsey, asssited by Mr. Day). was perhaps the most spectacular item of the afternoon. The children were dressed to represent England, the Colonies (New Zealand, Australia, Canada, India), Ireland, Scotland, France, Russia, Italy and Belgium! The different leaders were Maggie Shepherd, Nancy Peach, Mabel. Jackson, Hope . Asher, Myrtle .Walker, May Berridge, Flo Ingram and Mabel Everest, in the order given above. The children carried out their allotted tasks without confusion, and when homage was paid to Britannia and the Union Jack hoisted, the crowds around the arena greeted tho unique sight with prolonged applause. The final item was a rainbow dance by 24 Central School girls in dresses of every colour (under Miss Dempsey), and the performance provided a very pretty sight. SWEDISH DRILL AND EXERCISES Demonstrative approval rewarded the I

boys who took part in a display of the Swedish drill and physical exercises now, being taught in the schools. Sixty Central School boys under. Mr. Throadgill (of tho Physical Instruction Department) gave a display,of trunk and arm movements, prone positions and astride jumping, and a little later ‘24 girls and boys from Waihi School (under Mr. Bulliaus) performed leg, arm and head movements of the Swedish drill exercises.. i i These exercises aim at muscle development without apparatus, and -the training of concentration faculties. The children had been well prepared by their respective teachers, and the precision and rhythm of their movement* aroused the enthusiasm of all the onlookers. A team of High School cadets (under Sergeant Bruce) gave a splendid display of bayonet exercises, keeping wonderful time and going through without a mistake. . A number of High School girls, dressed as Red Cross nurses, gave a fine exhibition of first aid and ambulance work, and were rewarded by hearty applause. One admirable point was the excellent discipline of the girls. There was no sign of the giggling amateur, blit everything was carried out with business-like efficiency, no small achievement when dealing with a number of impressive small boys as wounded. A ‘'Bantam Brigade” by 60 Central School hoys (under Mr. Day) gave evidence of the careful training they had received in a display of Nelson's famous signal, and also a message. to shirkers. The accompaniment was played by the weird rag-time band that took part in the procession. Altogether the children presented tho public with a nrogramme the .novelty of which should prove a long-lasting topic of conversation. The lino discipline of the hoys and girls rendered them the 'more efficient in the carrying out of the various .exorcises. THE TirO-OF-WAR. Eight teams were entered from New .Plymouth and other schools to contest for tho championship of Taranaki, and some excellent pulls resulted. Were was not much to pick between the teams, and most of the wins were by inches only. The final pull, Bell Block v. West End, won by the former, was, Mr. Whittle I the judge) declared, one of the finest ho had‘ever seen. The pulls were as follows;—First round: Bell Block heat Central B; Erankley Road heat Central A; West End beat Waihi; Dronin' heat Omata. Second round; Bell Block heat I'TAnkley Hoad; West End boat Uvonui. Final: Bel! Block beat West End. THE WORKERS. Tho officers were; Marshal for tho day, Lieut.-Colonel Bellringer; secretary, Mr. Hector Dempsey; assistant secretary, Mr. Norman 1). Day; general committee, Mr. 1 Sydney G. Smith (chairman), Messrs. Abbott, Bennett, Dennocli, Carter, , Coleman, Dunks, Dearc, Elliott, Elannagan. Peek, Griffiths, Hill, Hayden, Hughes. Hoffman. Hnrdwiqk, Hnrdgrnves. Milne. Mills, M'llroy, Proeee, Koch, Robb. Saunders, Sadler, Short, S. .1. Smith, Teed, Broqks, Malam, Roebuck, Bond. Captain Allen, Major Sandford, H. Brooks, Tho best methods of organising tho function were followed by them with tho greatest energy and astuteness, and the result was one of which the committee has just cause to he proud. Praise is due to Mr. Dempsey for his untiling efforts in organising the carnival, which were properly rewarded by tho brilliant success achieved. Another gentleman whose work is worthy of special mention is Mr. S. G. Smith, who was responsible for the organisation of the procession. That his efforts were crowned with success was apparent to all who witnessed it. Mr. Bradbury, as judge of the vehicles, etc., in tho procession, gave, entile, satisfaction by the manner in which lie carried out his duties.

Afternoon tea was served in the shade of tho trees bytho band rotunda, three different committees of ladies, ably assisted by innumerable girls, being in charge of Separate sections. The result of tho labour of these willing workers was most pleasing, and large numbers uf people had continually to be served. The committees were;—(l) Mrs. Burgess (Mayoress), Mesdames Colvile, Blundell, Fair, Eberlet, Hursthouse, Courtenay, K. Webster, Kroeth, Bowden; (2) Mesdames Ewing, Foote. A. Robertson, D. White, G. Neal, .-Dinnis. Johns, Tanner, Misses Devem'sh and Sole; (3) Mesdames Ambury, Stocker, White, J. Wilson, Carter, Matthews, Chappell. Misses Godfrey, Avery, Marshall.

Those in charge of stalls were:— Victoria League; Misses Brewster, M. Thomson, R. Clarke, M. Corkill, A. Bullard, Whitcombc, E. Greatbntch. Novelty Stall; Mesdames Dempsey, Firth and Martin. Cigarette Stall; Misses Anthony and Jameson. Sweets and Ice Cream Stall: Mrs. and Mr. Moverloy, Mrs. Ruddy, Miss Unstuck. In the side shows Mr. Hoffman had charge of “Hoop-la,” and SergeantMajor Williamson and Mr. 0. Tippins looked after “Smash the Kaiser.” All the stalls and side shows did excellent business, and a largo sum should result for tho patriotic funds. AUCTION SALE. A number of useful and valuable arti-

des which had been donated were sold ’ by Mr. L. B. Webster, who kindly offered his services. The framework for a conservatory, made by Boon Bros., and a handsome rimu sideboard from the Red Post, wore the most valuable articles, and besides, a, number of smaller things, including a motor tyre and tube donated by Mr. Holali, wore sold. Details are: Throe swingle-trees, 12s; wheelbarrow, £1; ditto, 21s ; armchair, £2 2s 6(1; three pasteboards, 6s; motor tyre, £3 2s 6d; motor clock, 15s; motor tube, 255; sideboard, £8 ss; conserva- | tory, £8 IDs.