The £939 collected on carnival night in Northampton this year was "rather a dissapointment" to carnival parade officials, said Mr. R.C.T. Dyer, hon. secretary of the organising committee, at a presentation of the proceeds to various organisations in the board room of the Northampton General Hospital last night. The figure was £300 less than the amount collected in 1956.
Assuming that there were between 60,000 and 80,000 spectators at the parade the amount was "quite frankly not enough for the proviledge of watching such a spectacle as the Northampton carnival parade" declared Mr. Dyer. If the number of spectators was 60,000 this worked out at three-pence three-farthings a head - annd if the number was 80,000 the figure was only two and seven-eights of a penny per person.

Mr. Dyer added that he was "no cinema fan" but he imagined that most people paid an average of 2s. 6d. a seat for a three-hour cinema show. It took the carnival paarde 35 minutes to pass any gievn point "and if we estimate the cost of 35 minutes at the average cinema price, we find that 35 minutes in a cinema would be 6 1/2 d. approximately.

HIGHER EXPENSES

Had 80,000 people 6 1/2 d. for 35 minutes of carnival procession, our income would have been £2,160.

"On behalf of my committee therefore, I must appeal to the public of Northampton to be a little more generous in their giving in future years."

In conclusion, Mr. Dyer pointed out that £4,665 had been donated to various charitable organisations since the carnival was re-organised in 1952.

The treasureer's report was presented by Mr. A. G. Walmsley in the absence, through illness, of the hon. tresurer, Mr. A. E. Sparrow Mr Walmsley said that other donations this year had risen to £216 compared with £714 in the previous year, but expenses had also risen. More programmes had been printed, raising the cost from £97 to £107, and prize money this year was £212, compared with £196 in 1956.

Though this year's had been a very successful carnival it was a disappointment to the committee that they had not been able to donate a four-figure sum.

Among guests to receive cheques on behalf of organisations were the Mayor of Northampton (Councillor F. P. Saunders) and Lady Mary Manningham-Buller. Theyw ere welcomed by the chairman Mr. W. T. Grose, who commented that very few towns in this country had such successful carnival parades as Northampton, considering  the size and population.

Assisting with the presentation of cheques were the Carnival Queen, Mrs Brenda Haycock, her maids of honour, Miss Delia Desponds and Miss Sheila Clark, and the reserve maid of honour, Miss Audrey Dascombe.

SHARE-OUT

The cheques presented were: £50 to councillor Saunders for the Mayor's Fund for the Bedridden; £300 to Lady Mary for Northampton and District Hospital Management Committee; £75 to Mr. F. Curtis for St. Crispin Hospital Management Committee; £55 to Mr. F. E. Webb for Bethany Homestead; £55 to Mr. F. J. Alsop for St. Christopher's Home; £55 to Mr. A. H. Rice for St. George's Homestead; £55 to Mr. C. K. Pearce for the Methodist Homestaed; £20 to Mr. J. H. Peach for Northampton British Legion; £25 to Mr. B. Schanschieff for Northamptonshire branch of the British Red Cross; £20 to Mr. A. H. Rice for Northampton Old People's Voluntary Welfare Committee; £20 to Corps Secretary F. C. Gibbs for the St. John Ambulance Brigade; and £20 to Mr. J. H. Peach for Northamptonshire Town and County Association for the Blind.

Mr. S. G. Hill, superintendent of Northampton General Hospital, who was present with the matron. Miss M. E. Coombe, proposed a vote of thanks to te organisers and to the "namesless thousands without whose money we should not be here tonight."

Councillor E. F. Tompkins seconded the vote of thanks and extended his appreciation to the Hospital Management Committee for the use of the board room.