Wanganui

New Zealand Tablet, 13 June 1918, Page 19

Wanganui

(From our own correspondent.) For some months past Father O'Connell, assisted by the ladies of the parish, had been busy preparing for a bazaar in aid of the Catholic educational institutions of Wanganui ; and towards the end of last month their labors came to a most successful conclusion. It was decided to have a coronation competition in connection with the function, and from this circumstance the name "Coronation Carnival" was derived There were five stalls, and each stall chose a queen candidate, the candidate nominated by the stall which realised the largest sum of money being entitled to be crowned Queen of the Carnival. The function commenced on May 18 in Everybody's Theatre. The theatre had been titted up for the occasion, and with the aid of artistic decorations and numerous colored lights its interior presented a scene of dazzling brilliance. The ladies responsible saw to it that the various stalls were loaded with articles of all descriptions—useful, ornamental, and artistic,— the refreshment stall, in its own department, being no exception. Where everybody excelled it would be invidious to institute any comparison. The five stalls were allocated as follows:— St. Vincent de Paul Aramoho (yellow and white): Mrs. Richardson (in charge), Mesdames Keegan, Hogan, and Coxon ■ assistants-Misses Kenny (2), Cox, O'Leary, Benefield, Murphy, O Shannessey, Narby, Marshall, and Roar he Hibernian (green and white): Mrs. McGonigle (in charge), Mrs, Stratford; assistants— Misses L. Gordon Dowdall (2), Mahoney, Siddell, Stitt (2), Molan) Richardson, Callaghan, Kirwan, Hughes, and M Boyle (secretary).- St. Vincent de Paul, Wanganui (red and white) : Mrs. Meehan (in charge), Mesdames Koorey, Culhnane, and Watson; assistants—Misses McTubbs, O'Neill, Curran, Meehan, J. O'Neill F. McCulloch, Condon, O'Connor (2), Casey (2), Wood' Trainor, and McCormack. Convent (pink and black)' Miss Burke and Mrs. Lloyd (in charge); assistantsMisses E. Moore, K. Delahunty, Kearns, Siddle, McCarten, and Foster. Children of Mary, refreshment stall (blue and white); Miss Kennedy (in charge), Misses Aramburu, Roche, Quirke, and Clarke (2) • assistants-Misses Sullivan, Brown, Kennedy, Callaghan, Mills, Howell, and Wilson. The committee comprised the following :—Father O'Connell (chairman), Mesdames Richardson, Keegan, Lux'ford Cullinane and Meehan; Misses Doyle, Clark, Kennedy, and Curran; Messrs. McGonigle, Redwood, O'Brien Foley, McAfee, Jones,, F. J. Shanly, AHones! Brown, Russell, Cronin, Donovan, Carmody, Koorey Grogan, Toomath. Tellers-Messrs. McDonald and Lrmkman Treasurer, Father O'Connell. The onerous duties, of honorary secretary were well and ably discharged by Mr W. H. Redwood. There was a large attendance of the public on each of the ten nights on which the carnival remained open. On succeeding evenings the proceedings were formally opened by Councillors McCaul Slipper, Veitch, M.P., Burnett, T. B. Williams, and Luxford. Brisk business was done every evening at the stalls, as evidenced by the large sum of money realised. The queen competition excited great rivalry, and towards the close the board showing

the number of votes polled by the different candidates was watched with keen interest. The carnival closed on May 29. Father O’Connell briefly thanked all those who had contributed to make the proceedings so successful, and referred to the good feeling which had existed on all sides. Punctually at 10 o’clock all the returns from the stalls were collected, and shortly afterwards the result of the queen competition was declared. The voting resulted as follows:—Miss Rita Foster (Convent), 192,250; Miss Rubie Curran (St. Vincent de Paul, Wanganui), 90,641 Miss Gertie Cullinane (Hibernians), 88,046 ; Miss Lizzie Mills (Children of Mary), 86,025; Miss Eileen O’Leary (St. Vincent de Paul, Aramoho), 82,948. The announcement was received with cheers, for the queen elect, Miss Rita Foster. The carnival proved to be the most successful function of its kind ever held in Wanganui, the gross takings totalling <£2370. After expenses have been paid there will be a profit of well over £2OO0 —a result on which Father O’Connell and his assistants may well be congratulated. The coronation of the queen fleet (Miss Foster) will take place in the Opera House on June 24, and a brilliant spectacle (may be expected.