KILBIRNIE FAIR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2954, 18 December 1916, Page 3

KILBIRNIE FAIR

HELP FOR BELGIAN CHILDREN -.) • . $ A FINE EFFORT Friday and Saturday were peninsula campaign days. When the appeal by the Lord Mayor of London on behalf of the Belgian children readied Wellington the residents of that part of Wel< lington' which lies beyond the Kilbirnie tranj tunnel were callcd together to consider ways and means of responding. Following tho inaugural meeting, others were called in each ward or subdivison of tho land beyond the eastern and southern hilly divide, and soon all were organised and working energeticallyfor, tho great event that culminated • last week-end at Kilbirnie Park, tho reserve at tho . head of Evans Bay, which has recently been considerably enlarged to provide _ a lung for eastern residents of the city. The weather wns propitious, and it has been estimated that on Saturday at least 10,000 people visited the fair, admission to whiclrwas free. All came prepared to help a Worthy cause, and thus maintain Wellington's reputation for generous support of all benevolent and patriotic events. Although the iinal results will not be available until later in the week, it is evident from the amount, already received that tbo total will fully realise the promoter's expectations, and that there will be a Considerable' sum to cable to London this week, to be expended at Christmas for the suffering and oppressed in Belgium. Where' so many were untiring in .their efforts it is difficult to give credit to each severally for the success of the 'gathering, but undoubtedly in a great measure the happy result is attributable to tho energy displayed by the executive, specially mentioning Messrs. Clark; Stoupe, Jorgenscn, and Wallace.

The patrons comprised all classes of the community, and included His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke),, and leading business men of: the city. It was particularly noticeable that large numbers of those less fortunately circumstanced financially camo and contributed willingly all tlicy could afford in answer to the appeal' for help. Dealing moro particularly with the fair the first thing that calls for mention is the extensive stall accommodation provided. In all there were between 40 or 50 separate stalls, constituting a mmiaturo luartcct, where goods or every description—edmle and otherwise—were procurable.

Jlilbirnie stalls were:—Sweets, Christmas Tree, Ice Cream, Soft Drinks, Produce, Fish, Jumble, Flower, Book, (JaUe, and Sports. Hoop-la was the.iliscnct side-show.

Juyall Lay ami Maranui Stalls; Sweets, Cake, l'rouuce, Flower and Jumble, yule-shows: Hoop-la.and For-tuue-tclling.

Seatoun Stalls: -Ice Cream, Produce, Flower, Lollie, and Ca'ke.

Iloseneath Stalls: Particulars not available.

lUiramar Stalls: Sweets, Soft Drinks, I'roduce, Marbto Bar, and Cake, Sidetshotv: Dart-throwiug.

Hataitai Stalls: Art Union, Flower, Fancy Goods, Cake, Sweets, Surprise Tickets, Surprise Packets, lco Cream, and 'Refreshments. Side-shows: Hoopla, Skittlealle.y and Weighing Machine. Tho refreshment tents were under joint management of representatives from all the districts, and so long as the provisions lasted ail went well, but the unexpectedly largo crowd proved too great a strain on the commissariat on Saturday evening.

Great enjoyment was derived by the littlo ones from the: motof joy ridos' on land and water, and the donkey-pulled vehicle also came in for considerable patronage. ;■

Oil Saturday afternoon a lengthy sports programme ■ was gone thiough, consisting of events for every school standard, and also for tho classes bcloyStandard I. The schools ehampionship was won by Master 0. Jenkins, of Maranui ScliooJ. and the girls' championship'by iVl'iss'D. Smith, also of Maranui School. For the boys' event the entrants , represented Kilbirnie, Roseneath, Kilbirnie and' Maranui.

Two-concert programmes on Saturday night were among the. many amusements, items being ■; contributed by Misses O'Leary, Marsh, Stewart, and Hugo, and Messrs. Eller, Keaney, Aitken, and Wallace. Mr. Frank Thomas was tho accompanist,-.

During the two days the proceedings wore enlivened by band niusic at regular intervals _ from the Patriotic,. Natives' Association, Miramar, and Pipe Bands.

- The great spectacular event on : the evening was well stage-managed. The Port Nicholson Yacht' Club " provided an excellent, miniature of a foreign battleship, using a, derelict small boat, and the creation,'seeing tho end intended, was very appropriately named "Hun," the appellation being painted in large letters on the bow.' A large subaqueous mine was duly laid by the Royal New Zealand Artillery, under Capt. Thring_ and N.0.0.'s of the company. This mine was detonated from tho shore end of an ..electric cable, and the resultant effect' was striking and informative to the spectators of the fate of any vessel that encountered ono of ;the deadly engines of destruction which have been so indiscriminately strown in the seas of the war area during the ■last two years. The craft that was used lor tho demonstration was blown to fragments which ascended some 60 feet, and vast quantities of water fell over a wide area in a smother of foam. ■ Aquatic manoeuvres were held at intervals under the direction of Commodore Duncan, who as sea marshal contributed to the success of this phase of the entertainment.

The thanks of the-promoters are also due to Mr. Paterson, of tho Patent Slip, wlio erected au excellent landing stage for the use of those landing from or entering boats at the park side. Wittingly or unwittingly many who were visitors intent on seeking enjoyment had the pleasures somewhat chastened by being suddenly arrested and arraigned before "His Honour" at the "Mock Court," the most noticeable feature of which was the ready way in which punishment was reduced to a simple monetary penalty. The prisoners in every case seemed only too willing to secure release by adding the few shillings called for to _ enrich the treasury, and 110 suggestion was made of action for illegal arrest.

Mention should also bo made of the assistance rendered by. the Wellington Gas .Company's Orchestra in providing musical items in the concert tent.

The possibility of accidents was not overlooked, for thero wcro present at tho gathering officers and members of the Central and South Wellington branches of tho St. John Anibulanco Association, with all necessary impedimenta. Fortunately, there wore no scerious calls 011 their services.

Of the fair generally, the best description that can be given is contained in the statement that it was true to the name.

Early on both days, emissaries from Roseneath, Miramar, and Kilbirnio set out for the city, laden with flowers and collection boxes, and by this means added largely to the funds. Surprise packets, now so familiar, were also vended in the city streets by Kilbirnio members.

Necessarily a large amount of timber was required for the stalls, and this was lent without charge by Mr. Clark, of lOvans Bay Timber Co., whose generosity thus saved a. considerable expenditure. The stalls jvere crccted hy : vol-

untary effort, and .tarpaulins were lent by. tho Harbour Board and leading carrying companies. Everyone united to save expense and swell tho revenue,; and it is confidently hoped that the result of the effort will bo a substantial sum to remit to England later in the week.