CROWNING CEREMONY AT DOMAIN FETE IS WELL PLANNED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18013, 25 November 1926, Page 7

CROWNING CEREMONY AT DOMAIN FETE IS WELL PLANNED.

SIX PAGES WILL CARRY “ MISS CANTERBURY’S ” CORONATION ROBE. The coronation of “ Miss Canterbury ” on Saturday at the Rose Fete in the Domain will be one of the most spectacular events that Christchurch has seen, and the fact that Mr H. Sweney will be Master of Ceremonies speaks well for its success. The actual coronation ceremony will not take place till the evening, but in the afternoon at 230 Miss Mavis Pycroft and Miss Phyllis Mann will be present at the fete to take part in the selection of “ Little Bliss Christchurch.” The " Little Miss Christchurch ” Beauty Contest has caught on wonder fully and the committee of ladies are meeting every afternoon reviewing the candidates, of whom some hundreds have presented themselves already. On Saturday the whole of these young juveniles, from eight to ten years of age, will be paraded in an arena on the Archery Lawn, and finally six of them will be selected by the ladies’ committee to pass in judgment before “ Miss Canterbury.”

It will not be an easy task, but “Miss Canterbury" has consented to perform it. When the selection is made, “ Little Miss Christchurch ” will be conducted to the dais and crowned with roses Heralds in mediaeval costume, and carrying trumpets, will await the queen, and a crown bearer with a crown of roses will take up a position on the dais.

“ Miss Canterbury ” will appear in an historic robe made of red velvet, silk lined and trimmed with ermine. This is the robe costing £l2O which was used for the coronation of Miss E. Rutherford in the big queen carnival during the war. The robe was bought by Mr T. Chapman for one hundred guineas after the ceremony, and presented to Miss Rutherford, who has placed it at Mr Sweney’s disposal for similar ceremonies with the one condition that it must never be borne by less than six pages. They will bear her train as she and Miss Mann as Maid of Honour mount the stage, which will be brilliantly lit. The Mayor of Christchurch will perform the crowning ceremony. After her coronation “ Miss Canterbury ” will be presented with a bouquet of roses by the committee of the Domain Fete in official recognition of the splendid fight put up by the Canterbury beauties in the “ Star’s ” “ Miss New Zealand ” beauty competition. During the evening a radio concert will be given. The Christchurch Muni cipal Band will play selections. There will be side shows, Scottish dancing” and great merry-making. Those attending will be invited to dancing on the lawn at the conclusion of the coronation ceremony.