ST. STEPHEN'S GARDEN PARTY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1738, 17 December 1887, Page 2

ST. STEPHEN'S GARDEN PARTY.

»■ The annual gardon party m connection with St. Stephen's Church, was held at the Parsonage grounds yesterday. The weather was all that could be desired, and the attendance fully came up to expectations. The parsonage gardens are admirably adapted for an assemblage of the kind, and that of yesterday was a very gr<;at success. On Thursday, and yester. duy morning the Rev Mr Scott, and a number of willing workers were busily engaged erecting tentft and otherwise making; preparations for the expected Influx of visitors. Although, of ooarso a large proportion of the people came m the evening, still there was' a very good attendance during the afternoon. The visitors spant the afternoon m the various games, facilities for which were provided t ia strolling round the pretty gardens, or la inspecting the stalls. Theae latter presented a very pretty eight, being tastefully decorated with fl jwers and evergreens, and being disposed under the shade of ♦ habait of tall trees whioh lines the front of the grounds. The firßt stall to olalm attention wa3 that devoted to faucy work, the ladlbß who presided being Mesdames Bullock, Reatell, A. Oartls, 0 0. Fooka , and Miss Guinness. The various articles, useful and ornamental, displayed at this stall were all contributed by ladies of the, congregation, who generously came forward and presented those, In order that the " s'news of war " might be raised. At the next stall — thatforfrult — Meadames Orlop, Main waring and Trevor reigned supreme, and from a. tempting- array of strawberries and other fruits, these ladies were kept buay during the day ministering to the wants of the thirsty souls thronged round the stall; A little further on was the refreshment stall, at which Mrs HalSbll, Miss Oompton, and Mr Halßell presided. In a a adjoining enclosure a marquee wa<* erected, whora the tea was served, and hero Meadames Bland, Felton, Ferriman, Fooks, Gates, and Permain had a busy tiino aftending to the wauts of their numerous patrons. Various gamea were provided, tennia, bqw)», quoite, etc., the juveniles were not overlooked, while seats were provided for the more sedlte, who could thus look on and enjoy the fun . that was going on around them. The Rev Mr Eoatt and Mrs Scott wore busily engagod supervising the arrangements, and willing assistance was rendered by a la r ge number of ladies and gentlemen. In the evoniog there was a very large present. The Aahburton Band was m attendance, and played selections at intervals, the disciples of Terpsichore, being thus enabled to "trip the light fantastic "to its strains. Altogether the affair was a most pronounced success, and! the financial results should bo very satisfactory.