MILITARY CARNIVAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14039, 23 October 1909, Page 8

MILITARY CARNIVAL.

OPENS NEXT TUESDAY. Visitors to Timaru for Show Week will find excellent entertain mo lit provided for tliem and for tho residents of tho town and its neighbourhood, m the Military Carnival in the Drill Hall, which will be opened 011 Tuesday. And all who aro interested in volunteering will find therein a means of assisting the Volunteers of Timaru in a useful way. Some ten years ago the \ uluntecrs of I'imaru decided to carry out an extensive scheme to reduce the heavy debt on the Drill Shed. The idea was to hold sports on the Caledonian Grounds, alid a ten days' bazaar at the shed. \\ hile the arrangements were being formulated the Boer War broke out, and the idea had to be abandoned, especially as a largo number of officers and men went to South Africa. Iwo yoars later a number of patriotic civilians suggested to the Drill Shed Committee that if the hall could be floored tho income from rents might assist in reducing the debt. Debentures totalling £'2lo were taken up by the public, and a -Government subsidy obtained. Tho issue was successful, and not only have the debentures been paid off, but in addition a very large slice of the original debt. Extensive additions to the rifle range, and shed improvements becoming necessary, it was decided to carry out a Carnival to clear off the balance of debt, and carry out the other werks . necessary. The scheme formulated ten years ago is thus being put into operation, and it is hoped the public will support the movement, and thus free the Volunteers in Timaru from financial embarrassment. Everything points to the Carnival being a great success, but this success depends upon public patronage, and not upon public sympathy and good wishes. The managers of the Carnival will spare 110 pains to mako it worthy of public patronage. ;• . • -