WELCOME WEEK FUN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 147, 24 June 1931, Page 11

WELCOME WEEK FUN

CHILDREN'S DAY FANCY DRESS PARADE. Not for many a day have there been so many children entertained at one; time as at the National Mutual Buildings yesterday, when the children of Wanganui were given their share of the excitement of Welcome Wek. Owing to the unsettled weather, no parade through tfie town was held, the children being assembled at the building, and entertained there. Thousands of children were present, and all were given small bags of cake, sandwiches and other dainties provided by the combined women ’s organisations of Wanganui. After being assembled outside on the street, the idea of the parade was abandoned, and al] the children were allowed inside. Here the exuberance and high spirits of youth hail their fling, and for a while the hall was a scene of indescribable merriment and vitality. As an interlude, two amusing items were rendered for the youngsters’ benefit. Tho “Punch and Judy” show attracted an appreciative audience, and not a few of them were adults. This old-time amusement was followed by a ventriloquist and his dolls, Jack Tar and Sambo, tho three creating a great deal of amusement. A fancy dress parade followed, with a choice of prize-winners. The judges here had a most difficult; task owing to the variety and number of costumes. But at last the task was over, and the most important part of the afternoon, as far as the children minds were concerned, followed. The distribution of food to over five thousand children is no small task, but the ladies responsible conducted this proceeding in a wellorganised manner. Downstairs once more tho children were each handed a slice of tho large birthday cake, donated by the Bakers’ Association. Miss Wanganui (Miss Jane Winstone) cut tho first slice, amid cheers, and distributed the pieces to each youngster. The rest of tho time was spent in games round the hall, but no organisation was needed here, as the children took their enjoyment into their own hands, ami made tho hall ring with thoir laughter and shouts. When time came to go home, many wore weary and tired, but happy just tho same. There is none more susceptible to the spirit of carnival than the child, and this was plainly evident yesterday among the conglomeration of fancy costumes. 'l'lie result of the fancy dress judging, ‘iccoinplished by Mesdames Hatrick, Neame and J. T. Hogan, was as follows: Most Original.—Girls: Shirley McBeth (Sweetest Girl Here), I; Jean Mattach (Maori Woman), 2. Boys: Leonard Adamson (Absent-minded Professor), 1; George MacFarlane (Green River), 2. Prettiest Dress.—Girls: Lorna Robinson (Spanish Girl). Boys: Ronald Spooner (Sir Walter Raleigh). Special prize: Joyce Eggers (Dresden Shepherdess). Special prizes were awarded to three little Maoris, who were admirably dressed up. These were little Miss Kahurangi Mctekingi and Koine Takarangi and Pat Metokingi. The Charlie Chaplin class came in for a great deal of amusement, with their little black bowlers, moustaches and walking sticks. Tho prizes for this class wore awarded by the Regent Theatre management. Winners, as jmlge<l. wore as follows, in order: Hao Durbush. Zelda Watts, Merea Watin, Eric 0.-,l>oldblon<‘. • Afford Kidd. Mabel Kn}o, Arthur Wall. Jack Carroll ami Harold i Gillespie. Little Gordon Edwards ami Merle Burbush were awarded special prizes for their impersonation of Charlie Chaplin and his bride. These two tiny tots attracted a great deal of notice, but it made little difference to them—they were all in all to each other throughout the afternoon.