A queen carnival was a type of fundraising event that was popular in New Zealand and Australia during the early 20th century. They were particularly common during World War I and in the years after, when they were used to raise funds for returned soldiers. The first such carnival is believed to have been held in Napier, New Zealand, in 1913. The carnivals were not always annual events, and were held in various locations throughout a year. 1913 Napier Mardi Gras The first time the popular election of the Queen of the Carnival was used as fundraiser was at the 1913 Napier Mardi Gras. One report said the contest was for a "Queen of Beauty" and the public would choose from photographs of the entrants with names remaining secret. There were 13 candidates . A vote cost twopence and with 62580 votes cast over £500 was raised. As the Queen would reign over the revels, wit, personality, majesty and a talent for theatre would be of advantage and the election of Mrs J. A. Rosewarne proved a success, although one newspaper did think the Queen of Carnival should be unmarried. Mrs Rosewarne was also called Napier's Queen of Song and was principal soprano at a pre-festival performance of the Messiah. The Mardi Gras was a triumphant success and the Queen, as part of the theatre of the event, bestowed honours on a number of the Napier burghers and made the organiser of the carnival, John Hopkins, a KCMG or Knight Commander Mardi Gras. One newspaper devoted a page to pictures of the carnival and a film was made for screening at picture theatres. Inaugurated by the Napier Thirty Thousand Club to raise money for town beautification, the Mardi Gras became an annual event which John Hopkins continued to organise. The war changed priorities and in 1914 the proceeds went to the Belgian Relief Fund and in 1915 to the Wounded Soldiers Fund. . The carnival became a model for other Carnivals in New Zealand and John Hopkins was approached to help with the upcoming Wanganui carnival William Lints William Lints (aka William Lintz) was born in Aberdeen, Scotland on 14 December 1881. His parents were William and Helen Lints. The family first moved to Australia in 1882 where Lints was educated. In July 1893 the family emigrated to New Zealand and settled in Wanganui. Lints became a hairdresser and married