ORIENTAL CARNIVAL, CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 6 November 1913, Page 29

ORIENTAL CARNIVAL, CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) The grand Oriental Carnival was opened under very auspicious conditions in the Olympia Skating Rink, Hereford street, on last Saturday evening. Although the weather was inclement the attendance was large, and good business was done. Just before 8 o'clock the Marist Brothers' School Cadets, over forty strong, commanded by Lieut. Thorn, and looking exceptionally well in their smart, carefully-kept uniforms, lined both sides of the lengthy corridor, which forms the entrance to the Rink, as a guard of honor "to his Worship the Mayor (Mr. 11. Holland), who performed the opening ceremony. At their own expense, Messrs. Luttrell Brothers, the" well-known builders and architects, erected an immense stage, with lofty wings enclosing it on three sides, which proved admirably adapted for the attractive spectacular display, arranged by Signor Borzoni, and for which about 200 performers had been trained to perfection. Derry's Band supplied the incidental music. The big building looked very well with its abundantly stocked stalls flanking a long and wide promenade, and its extensive refreshment and tea rooms. A pretty sweets and confectionery stall occupied one end of the building fronting the stage. An outstanding feature of the bazaar portion of the carnival is the valuable nature of the wares displayed in most of the stalls, including complete dining-room and draw-ing-room suites. Quite a varied collection of side shows are being run in connection with the Catholic Club and Tennis Club stall, and the Hibernian ■■ and M. 8.0.8. Association stall. •: In his introductory remarks the Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., said that in the absence of his Lordship Bishop Grimes, he (the Dean) was there to represent the Bishop, who, had he been in New-Zealand, would not have missed the occasion. The inauguration that evening of the carnival was, he said, very auspicious. The object of the carnival was to pay off as much as possible of the debt that was still owing on the Cathedral, which was decidedly one of the most artistic monuments of the city. When the Cathedral was opened it had a debt of £20,000, the balance now s owing being £7OOO. A big effort was being made to wipe this out altogether, or, at least, to reduce it very considerably. Mr. Holland said that he was pleased to see so large a gathering. He congratulated those who' had organised the carnival on the display, and hoped they wouM achieve their object. He was sorry that they were in the midst of a very severe struggle between Capital and Labor. As Mayor of the city, he appealed to them not by any thoughtless act or word to precipitate matters into a very serious struggle. He hoped that good sense would prevail, and that the difficulty would be swept away without further trouble. He hoped those present would be liberal and generous with their money, and that the people of Christchurch would show their appreciation by purchasing the goods that were displayed. He stated that he had very much pleasure in declaring the sale open. On the invitation of the Very Rev. Chancellor Price, Adm., those present carried by acclamation a very hearty vote of thanks to the Mayor for so kindly coming to declare the bazaar open.