ELSTHORPE PATRIOTIC CARNIVAL.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7710, 20 April 1916, Page 3

ELSTHORPE PATRIOTIC CARNIVAL.

A UNIQUE SUCCESS. REALISES OVER SIX HUNDRED POUNDS. The Elsthorpe people never do things by halves, and they more than sustained their reputation by the manner in which they worked to make yesterday’s patriotic carnival a great success. Probably no district in the whole of New Zealand has, in proportion to population, responded so well to the Empire’s call for men and money as*Elsthorpe has done, and the returns derived from' the Carnival show that they have not yet exhausted their resources. The day’s takings amounted to about £6OO, and there is a sufficient sum in hand apart from that to meet the working expenses. Perfect weather conditions prevailed, and there was a very large attendance at the Recreation Ground in the afternoon. Principal interest centred in the baby king and queen election, both competitions being keenly contested. When the votes were counted it was found that Betty Ryan was at the top of the poll in the queen contest, and Joseph Gordon in the king. The voting was as follows : QUEEN. Betty Ryan .. .. 7879 Dorothy Haycock .. 5141 Barbara Kenderdine .. 4467 Meg Williams .. .. 3900 Olive Cosgrove .. .. 2977 KING. Joseph Gordon .. 12,763 Timothy Williams .. 5,650 Allan Nicholls .. 5,144 Ronnie Kenderdine .. 4,509 Keith Bowden .. .. 3,985 Andrew McGaffin .. 3,894 Henry Cheer .. .. 2,860 Don Sutherland .. .. 1,951 Queen Betty and King Joseph were crowned by Mrs Beacban, who presented each with a sqjid silver mug, the crowns being donated by Mr Bowen. The revenue derived from the election reached the satisfactory total of £271 6s Bd, which must he very gratifying to Mrs Beacban, finder whose management the election was held. During the course of the afternoon a patriotic sale was conducted hy Mr H. M. Stewart, the gifts including 46 sheep, two bullocks, dogs, horses, a ton of potatoes, calves, heifers, etc., and the returns helped materially to swell the profits of the Carnival. A white Ensign, the gift of Mrs A. Gilmour, was also auctioned hy Mr Stewart, and changed hands time after time until it had netted no less than £lB4, being finally knocked down to Mr F. Douglas for £2O. The buyer presented tlie flag to the hall trustees. Side shows, produce stall, etc., all contributed their quota to the day’s profit, and sports were organised for the children. Tn the evening a masked hall was held in tlie hall, and proved a popular function. A very large percentage of those who attended were attired in fancy costume, handsome, quaint and original, and masks were generally worn. No charge was made for admission to the hall, the management considering that the people had done so well during the day that they were entitled to a little amusement free of charge. Mrs Dunn, of Hastings, contributed her services ns pianist, and Mr J. Haycock played extras. Mr T. Haycock officiated as M.C. Altogether the Carnival must he classed as one of (lie most successful efforts ever organised in Elsthorpe. Where everyone worked so well towards the attainment of the common object it would he unfair to individualise, hut the district as a whole, is to he congratulated on this further evidence of its unswerving loyalty.