GERALDINE QUEEN CARNIVAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 30 April 1926, Page 11

GERALDINE QUEEN CARNIVAL.

,-- CROWNING - CEREMONY. / The-. Town Hall- at, Geraldine was ,'packed- to .the l doors,•nearly,; an -vhour before;;th,e of,, thoj crowning ceireniony/,in connection with the Queen ’Carnival. The hall had been' beautifully decorated, and carpeted steps gave 'access to the brilliantlylighted'Stage from tho body of tho'liull.Th’e stage was hung with coloured streamers, and ropes of multi-coloured electric lamps.-tin tho centre on a dais wus a-.throne, and the whole presented a yery fine . appearance. The arrangement of the .stage was in the capable hands of Mr- C. C. Knight, who throughout the ChnnvM did splendid work for the various Queen Carnival entertainments.

Drier ,to the crowning, an excellent concert , programme was given by Misses Willoughby, Girnson arid Gillies, and Messrs Knibb' and'.Gifiisqn. At 8.30 the double doors at the roar of. the liall were thrown open, and two heralds, Misses Peggy Bennett and Frances Haskins, proceeded up the centro aisle to the stage, followed by the Court Jester .(Master Chris Scott), and’’t ook up "their 11 p'ositiohs at opposite corners ,of the stage, whore they blew a fanfare from their trumpets. Followed the scroll bearersj Misses Betty Bennett and Mary Knibb, and Mr J. S. Thomas, court, crier, who proceeded to read the proclamation. This having been done, "he "called for • -PrincessQueenie, of Southend, to ascend the stage,- and Miss Q. Bryant (the Band ■Queen), -»in -her court dress, .walked to her place on the stage amidst loud applause j Bearing • her ■ train ’were Misses Nora Callanan .and Jean .Cairns. Princess Rona, of Tripps (Library Queen), also splendidly robed, came next, tier .train being borne -by Misses Jean McClure and Sidney Cowie. Miss Pollock, of Robeland, followed, dressed .in black, her-train earned by Misses Edith Waters and Mable Fyfe. Tho Lord, Mayor of Geraldine (Mr J. Kennedy).and the; High Chancellor (Mr; B; R. Macdonald)' next took lip their, stat-' ions'. . /Two :<pages ,;beasng> the .Grown' (Aiits Winnie Haskins),Orb;and Regalia' (Miss Ella- Waters) preceded . .Her Majesty (Miss Nellie Kennedy, Sports Queen),: who walked to the Throne, heralded' ' by'- the trumpeters. As -itlie Queen emerged from. the. auditorium three girls, ’MiSses Mona' -Tipladjy Jessie Cowie and Gwen White, strewed: flowers in the way. Tlio Queen’s train .was' borne ;by:-Miss_es *Nita Morgan ,anf Ngaire Laurenson. The Maids' of Honour, the Misses Sherratt, Bell, Eileen. Callanan, Weayer, and Wopding, attended the Queen tb her Throne, where she stood under her canopy and a sparkling crown. The High Chancellor then read a Proclamation, and. called upon the Lord Mayor to crown the.-Queen, .which .was. accomplished in due order. The crown was of crimson velvet .with white: ermine edging, and sparkled with coloured jewels. The Court Crier .then read the Queen’s reply. The High Chancellor announced that the Queen’s Court should consist of Princess Queenie of South End, Princess Rona of Tripps, and Countess Pollock of Robeland, who were each presented to tho Queen and duly received then’' caskets of rank at her hands. Other honours conferred were as follows, each recipient stepping forvvaid and receiving his or her new rank by a touch on the left shoulder from Hen. Majesty’s sceptre : —Tho Lord - Mayor, Duke of Raukapauka and Chief of tho Itaukapuka Water Scheme, the Lady Mayoress Duchess of Raukapuka; Mrs Fish, Duchess of New South Wales and Keeper-of the Crown Jewels; Mrs Bennett, Lady Bennett, Keeper of tuo Baits for Royal anglers; Mrs Kirk, 'Lady Kirk of Bargain Corner and. Promoter of the Queen’s Raffles; Miss McCabe, Lady McCabo, Chief of the Queen’s Dancing Staff; Mrs IVebb, Lady Webb, Hon. Colonel of the Chocolate Soldiers; Mrs Waters, Lady Waters of Paddy’s Market; E IWhite, Lord Edward White, Willing Exponent of Musical Arts..and Conductor of the Queen’s Musical Society; Angus McKay, Sir Angus McKay, Wireless Operator and Chauffeur to Her Majesty; W. Mullaly, Sir William Mullaly, Lord High Slogger of the Carnival and Knight Conductor of tho Bathroom; A. J. Bell, Sir Angus Bell, Publicity Agent and Leader of the Opposition; M. Knight, Sir Maurice Knight, Keeper of Three to One and Queen’s Prize - Sheep; J. C. Fleming, Lord High Lightning .Calculator and Baron Traybit of Bottom End. The knighting ceremony being over, the ceremonies , were brought .to a conclusion by little Miss Lyla McKenzie, dressed as a fairy, dancing forward and presenting the Queen with a big bouquet, which was a gift from Mr J. Chapman." , - ~ , . Mr Kennedy thanked all the people for their patronage throughout the Carnival, and said ho hoped there had been no disappointments. Ho complimented all on the fine sporting spirit which had .been shown, a.nd on tho splendid result which 'had been atA very enjoyable ball wao held subsequenfJv, music being provided by Mr Sevmour McDonald’s orchestra. The' total for the evening amounted to £69, and the total for the wholo,Carnival to approximately £B/6.