OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XVII, 24 October 1903, Page 54

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

Labour Day Carnival. A SPLENDID DISPLAY. BEST PROCESSION SEEN IN AUCKLAND. Labour Day was fittingly observed in Auckland, the procession being undoubtedly the best yet seen in this city, eaeh firm vieing with others in securing originality of design in artistic decoration for the purpose of illustrating their industry. The marshals of the day were, first and foremost, Mr. Turner, City Traffic Inspector, who was driven round in a Darracq motor by Mr Bockhaert. The other marshals were Messrs. R. F. Way and B. Kneen. In addition there was also a self-appointed marshal, got up as the typical stage Irishman, who dashed up and down the line of march on a fiery steed, ever and anon giving sharp orders, to the accompaniment of the swinging of a prodigious shillelagh. There were also many other humorous exhibits in the procession, apart from the trades displays. For instance, a well-got-up lady of ebon hue, riding on a small pony, unblushingly threw kisses to all and sundry. There was also a turnout depicting the historical Darktown Fire Brigade, which, as it passed, was greeted with roars of laughter. Then there was a “Romeo” on a bicycle, and the noble order of bootblacks was represented by a gentleman carrying his box on his head, who gravely marched with the procession. Another amusing exhibit was a negro family in a cart, while “ ’Arry and ’Arriet” were also present in true coster dress with a smart turn-out. Punctually at 10 o’clock the procession started from the foot of the wharf, headed by the Garrison band, the leading trolly being filled with children, and preceded by the well-known “Eight Hours Banner.” Further down in the procession was the Maori band. The bakers’ carts made a very fine display, all being tastefully decorated with flowers, evergreens and small flags. Mr W. Buchanan had no less than 12 carts in the procession, the drivers being got up as clowns, negroes, and other grotesque characters. Mr Wilson had in front of his cart a fine bull-dog, sitting up gravely with a placard round his spacious chest on which were the words “Bone and muscle,” presumably the outcome of eating bread manufactured by that firm. Other bakers’ carts were shown by Messrs Everett, T. Knight, Hayhow, W. Philip, McGregor, Cornes, T. Teasdale and Co., H. J. Ashby, W. 11. Davies, and G. Kent.

Immense crowds assembled to see the procession start, and all along the line of route both sides of the streets were lined with sightseers, and verandahs and windows were all -crowded. The little ones on the street line had an enjoyable time as the procession passed, bakers throwing out hot seones, confectioners lollies, and Preston sample packets of tea. The procession, from a spectacular point of view undoubtedly eclipsed former ones, but there was still the noticeable feature that the number of men

marching was, comparatively speaking, not what it should have been. The march of progress was shown by a skeleton motor-car, which closed the procession. Some of the workers’ unions made exceedingly creditable displays, and their exhibits were generally accompanied by a large group of workers in the particular trades concerned. The familiar eight hours’ banner led the procession, representing the Trades and Labour Council. It was carried on a waggon, which was otherwise filled with children, mostly the sons and daughters of committee-men of the Council, who had charge of the conveyance. The Federated Seamen’s Union had about forty men accompanying their banner, or sitting as the crew of a ship’s boat which followed, drawn on a three-horse waggon. The engine-drivers were present in force marching behind their banner. The carpenters’ and joiners’ banner, with suitable inscription, was in evidence, preceding a huge summer-house, in which another party of their members rode in the procession. A representation of an old-fashioned sawpit was used by the Sawmillers’ Union to recall “the good old times.” The house-painters’ banner was an artistic design, on which were portrayed an easel with palette, paint-pot and brush, a bundle of artists’ brushes, etc., with the apt inscription, “We strive to adorn.” The bootmakers were conveyed in a covered three-horse vehicle, in which male and female operatives were busily making boots by hand and machine. Boots in section, large pieces of leather, and other signs of the trade dangled from the van. For a really elegant and comfortable method of attending a gala, the laurels must go to the furniture-makers, for they rode in what was a good imitation of a nicely draped drawing-room, fully furnished with an upholstered suite. The builders’ and contractors’ labourers were well represented. Their banner represented a brick house in course of construction, with the typical hod for carrying bricks, a mortar board, etc. An attractive kiosk was exhibited by the plumbers and gasfitters, under which was a sample of sanitary lead work, piping, etc., the reptile-like shapes of which presented a grotesque appearance. An exhibit which attracted considerable notice from the onlookers was that of the Bakers’ and Pastrycooks’ Union. They had three conveyances, the occupants of which, with their orthodox white uniforms, made the exhibit distinguishable from a great distance. Many flags and banners were displayed, bearing suitable inscriptions. The Auckland City and Grey Lynn Borough Councils were the only corporations represented in the procession. The City Council’s exhibition was distinctly artistic, and the prosaic utilitarian carts were transformed, with the aid of flowers and foliage, into comparative “dreams of loveliness.” The Grey Lynn borough was represented by a roadsweeper and a scraper, drawn by good horses—the municipal fire brigade horses—and decorated with the übiquitous arum lilies and the motto, “Advance Grey Lynn.”

The Northern Roller Milling Company, Ltd., were represented by several exhibits. First was a covered waggon drawn by four decorated horses, and driven by a returned trooper, who was supported by several boys in uniform. The idea was that of “Northern Defenders,” words which were inscribed on the waggon, as well as “Standard Muscle Raiser.” Then came another waggon drawn by four decorated bays- This waggon was filled with bags of the company’s “Champion” flour and “Standard” oatmeal, and suitably Inscribed; after this came five carts with employees of the company, and then three of the company’s waggons, occupied by members of the Co-operative Bakers’ Union using “Champion” flour, these exhibits being referred to elsewhere. Byeroft and Co-, Ltd., showed a very artistically-decorated cart, in which tins of fancy biscuits were used with great success- The cart was also very prettily decorated with flowers and greenery. Following this was a spring-cart filled with bags of “Snowdrift” flour and decorated with lilies and greenery. J. D. • Roberts and Co. showed two trade carts carrying biscuit tins, and there were two gaily-dressed postillions. The most extensive and striking feature of the long procession was the turn-out of Messrs R. and W. Hellaby and Company’s employees. It illustrated in the most effective way the extent of the firm’s business, and the completeness of their operations. The display included four decorated waggons, a float containing live stock, eight decorated butcher’s carts, and ten butchers’ boys on the firm’s fine ridingout horses It was a bright display, full of interest, for two of the decorated waggons represented a cooperage and a butchers’ shop respectively, with thf men at work, and all the vehicles were gay with flowers, greenery and coloured decorations. The perambulating butchers’ shop was hung with carcases of mutton, pork, veal, and sucking pigs, so resplendent in death that the butcher’s knife must have been welcomed had the

animals known their destiny. Deft strokes o£, the knife and artistic applf. cation of the icing bag made carcases and joints look particularly choice and tempting, and the butchers busily worked behind the array of greenery and meat, showing “how it is done.” Slessrs Hellaby’s meat preserving department was well represented by a waggon upon which was a huge pile of tinned meat, showing the various sizes of tins and the delicacies therein, while another waggon demonstrated how self-contain-ed is the business, coopers being employed inside a grotto of nikau palms and casks making the kegs and barrels in which some of the preserved meat is packed. Tanning and currying, another department, sent a splendid dis•play of dressed leathers, standing fourteen feet in height, the various shades and colours of the leathers being cleverly arranged for effect. Still another branch, the manufacture of meat extract, was represented in a manner which caused many a roar among the spectators, and forced home the point that “there’s nothing so nourishing as meat extract.” A very thin man, on a very big horse, rode with miserable visage, bearing the label, “Before taking Hellaby’s meat extract.” Behind him came the happy transformation—“After"—a very jolly gentleman, much bigger than his horse, who had quite outgrown his capacious clothing. Arum lilies were introduced with excellent effect in decorating some of the drivingout carts, the beautiful flowers ensconced in palms, ferns, and coloured paper setting off tie vehicles well. Horses in fine condition, splendidly groomed, and drivers in neat, clean uniforms, gave a finish to a display which was perfect in every respect, and contained many original features. The designs were left to the employees of the firm, who deserve credit for their originality and taste and the complete manner in which they did everything. R- Salmon and Co., Ltd., were represented by a number of vehicles. A deeorated waggon drawn by four greys

wa s followed by a waggon containing a bullock and a number of sheep, also decorated. Then came a vehicle containing tins of meat, surmounted by a bullock’s head, and this was followed by five delivery carts. J. Marks and Sons, butchers, showed six delivery carta, decorated with flowers, also two outriders. Mr C. Norgrove, butcher, of Ponaonby, was represented by six decorated horses and riders. Messrs Barnaby and Lincoln were each represented by two outriders, and Mr Garrett by two decorated carts. A novel exhibit was that of Massey Bros., engineers, who sent along on a trolley a donkey-engine and winch. The engine was in full swing, and bystanders were asked by an inscription to encourage loci industry. The “Victory” range was shown by Mr E. F. F. Allen, who entered a cart filled with these articles of domestic use. A large four-horse waggon containing a chaff-cutter and filling machine operated by workmen bore the name of J. Robertson, of Symonds-street. The vehicle was decorated with cereal. The Kauri Timber Company’s exhibit attracted much attention. On one of the company’s trolleys, under a green house, of nice design, was placed a section of kauri trees of great circumference And there was also a circular saw placed in position as if ready for use. The exhibit of Messrs Leyland, O’Brien and Co. took the form of a villa covered with nikau, and boarded with lattice-work, the whole being drawn on a two-horse trolley. A number of men on the trolley were engaged cutting up lengths, etc. One of the most conspicuous displays among the carriers was that of Messrs Lewis. This was a dray covered with a bower of ferns and hanging Chinese lanterns, in which sat a number of alleged negro picanninies in the charge of a big ‘■'girl” who had ridiculous excrescences <?n her nether limbs. The cart Itself was driven by a gorgeously-arranged “negro,” and before the procession started the ragamuffin crew dismounted and convulsed the crowd by pestering a superior black “lady” who, arrayed like Solomon in all his glory, sat upon a palfrey. She would have none of the ‘’low brack trash” who pursued her like Nemesis. Another striking exhibit, equally meritorious and more emblematic, was that of Messrs Parsons and Sons. Upon a highly-decorated dray reposed a large boat, covered and surrounded by flowers. Alongside was the motto, “Kia Ora Round the World.” The other express companies represented had their carts decorated more or less. The firms whose carts our reporter noticed as they went by were Messrs Craig, Wright, Bennett (a long string of carts). Wilson and Turner, besides which there were several expresses belonging to individuals whose names were not visible.

Messrs Smith and Caughey had a very good exhibit indeed, typical of the furniture trade. On the leading waggon was arranged a comfortable looking sit-ting-room full of furniture manufactured by the firm. The following waggon represented the workmen in an upholstering department at work on an armchair. and was profusely decorated with large flags of the British nation, which swayed prettily in the breeze. The waggons were each drawn by three stalwart horses. A simple delivery van of the same firm followed the other two waggons. The only other furniture firm represented was Messrs Davenport and Co., who had in the procession a cart filled with rattan and other furniture manufactured locallv.

The Caxton Printing Works showed the trade of printing by working a platen machine on a dray, and deluging the people with handbills turned out from the printing press on the spot. The only employer’s exhibit representative of the plumbing trade was that of Mr George Clark, of Karangahaperoad. In his vehicle was erected the frame work of a cupola building on which a corrugated iron roof was being laid. In the interior of the building the various processes of the tinsmithing trade were shown. At the rear portion of this exhibit Was an imitation of a tramway motor, and the notice “Please do not talk to the motorman,” who constantly sounded a gong, caused no little amusement. Messrs Grey and Menzies had a typical display in the shape of a large van with a canopy on top decorated with flowers and evergreens. Arranged round the sides were rows of bottles containing cordials and aerated waters. The centre of the van contained a soda water machine, bottling apparatus, cylinders and gasometers, with a couple of operators at work. Other exhibits were a two-horse van with YY cordials. Mr J. Preston, of Cook and Nelson streets was represented in the procession by a complete grocer’s shop, with shelves, counter scales, etc., erected on a small spring cart.

THE AWARDS.

The judges awarded the prize for the best trade display to the Butchers’ Union, and also highly commended the Bakers’ Union. The prize for the best horse was given to Wrig'ii’s entire horse, which was the leader i.i the plumbers’ trolley. THE SPORTS. The following are the results of the events:— Apprentices’ Handicap, 100yds.—Prizes, £1 and 10/. First heat: G. James, 7yds, 1; G. Hunt, 4yds, 2; W. Phi) Sips, 3yds, 3. Second heat: B. Harper, Byds, 1; E. Heald, 2yds, 2; W. Stent, 7yds, 8. Final: B. Harper, 6yds. 1; G. James, 7yds, 2; W, Phillips, 3yds, 3. Won by half a dozen (aids, though the winner shed his shoes wenty yards from home. Amateur Half-mile Bleycle Handicap.— Prizes, £3, £2, and £l. R. H. Davis, see, 1; G. W. Spragg, 20yds, 2; Galbraith,lloyds, 8. Davis was la the rear till the last lap, when he shot ahead and won easily. Hendry and Twiss fell In the race, but did not come to any harm. Time, Im 12 2-Ss. Labour Day Handicap (100 yards). — Prizes £2. £l, and 10/. — Ist heat: B. Harper, 10 yards, 1; W. Burridge, 7 yards, 2: M. Allen, 8 yards, 3. Second head. H. Gladding, 5 Yards, 1; E. Edwards, 8 yards, 2; B. T. Murray. 7 yards, 3. Final: B. Harper 1. W. Burridge 2; H. Gladding 8. Time 10 2-ss. Old Men s (over 5(0 Handicap, 75 yards— Stephenson 1, Hall 2. Amateur Handicap, 100yds. —P. A. Stubbing, syds, 1; A. B. Smith. 2yds. 2: C. D. Cowan,’ Syds, 3. This was a very close race, and was won at the tape. One Mlle Bicycle Handicap, amateur.— W Hendry, 35yds, 1; F. Twiss, 60yds, 2; S. Galbraith, 70yds, 3. The race started well, but In the end the three winners and Davis (scratch) were all close together, an excellent finish being witnessed. The winner got home by half a length, and the second man was a wheel ahead of the third. The going was very heavy. ’ Trades’ Union Handicap. 220yds.—E. Edwards. scr, 1; A. Purdy. 10yds, 2; M. Allen, scr 3. There were only the three left In at the finish, and the winner managed to reach borne a yard or two ahead. Amateur Bicycle Handicap, li miles. Prizes. £3 10/. £2. and £l.—F. Twiss, TOvds, 1; H. H. Davis, scr, 2; G. W. Spragg. 50yds, 3. The field had not been moving long before Davis, the only scratch man,

was up with them, and they went round la a fairly compact bunch. In the final round Kidd had Joined the leaders, and Davis was working bls way ahead. He gave Twiss a run for it in the straight, but failed to do more than get within thiae yards of him at the post, Spragg being several yards behind. Quarter-mile Amateur Handicap.—H. G. Chevls, Syds, 1; A. B. Smith. 3yds, 2; C. Cowan, scr, 3. Chevls challenged Torrens at the head of the straight, and passed him. Smith hanging close to him. Chevis breasted the tape barely ahead of Smith. Half-mile Handicap, open.—D. Payne, 80yds, 1; E. Edwards. Syds. 2; W. Burridge, 80yds, 3. There were fifteen on the course, and during the second lap the men in the rear began to make headway through the pack. Payne, however, held to his lead, and In the straight Edwards moved up to obtain a good second. Tug-of-War, for teams of 11.—Carters, 1; Timberworkers, 2. There were four teams competing, the carters beating the labourers and the timberworkers, the latter having beaten the sugarworkers. The win. uing team was composed of Slade (captain), Barry, Lauder, McKean. Weaver, Hancock. Pouch, Renn, McClure. Ltnfer. and Todd.

Amateur Handicap, 250yds.—C. D. Cow. an, 6yds, 1; P. A. Stubbing. syds, 2: A. B. Smith, scr, 3. Garrity, on the limit (60yds), led to the halt distance, but Cowan came ahead in the straight and won at the tape.