MILITARY CARNIVAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14043, 29 October 1909, Page 5

MILITARY CARNIVAL.

A BUSY EVENING. The Military Carnival which was opened on Tuesday evening in tJio •Drill Hall, and was iairly patronised on the first and second evenings, developed into full-blown popularity last evening—as it was expected to do on tho evening of the People's Show Day. Early in the evening the floor space, which had been left as large as possible within the surrounding rows of stalls, presented a quite . remarkable scene when viewed from the gallery. It seemed as if there was not t room for another person among the crowd. This however was an illusion. • Tho hall was crowded, but iiot so packed as that. Perhaps the ample dimensions of. the ladies' hats had something to do with the impression. To. descend, and to endeavour to make one's way f rom s t a n sta n a 8 no um j er _ taking for any one in haste. But'it would be out of place to' talk of patience, for to thread one's way through the ever forming, ever closing gaps, was to imbibe the spirit of good, humour and courtesy that prevailed. It was very hot, the evening being sultry and windless, but one did riot notice this except just on entering, and on regaining the cool air without on leaving. . The gay dresses of the busy-raf-fle-raiscrs added picturesqueness to tho scene, and their wheedling ways helped also to intensify tlie ""good humour of the crowd.

_ The patrons of the evening were given several extras on the "brasses." The chief of these was tho ;'Empire March" of the Main School children. This was reduced in dimensions from that displayed in the school grounds, and then it was difficult to get chough room for it. The principal'-v.nglo-Saxon elements of tho march were put on, and the crowd expressed their, admiration by most hearty applause. The marchers were marshalled in-the Band Boom, and reached the Hall in due order. Another good item was an example of physical drill. by a squad of Timaru l Rifles, judging their own time; they did it excellently well, and wero well applauded for it._ The Marine Band played a selection in tho Hall- during .the early part of .tho evening. A singing ',coi?n>etiti6n was won bv A. J. Cliajnieri T: Caifoll\b.eing second, 'and': S. Wrigl.tt' arid W. White (equal) shird. At tln> carnival to-night a selection will be played, by the Garrison Band,. there ,wjll ,:be n. grand march by school and physical "and manual exercises..by tr tho Timaru Ci'tv Rifles: A]l volunteers, defence cadetsj 'and public school cadets in uniform will lie admitted free tp the carnival to-night.