PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 17, 18 November 1927, Page 6

PLUNKET SOCIETY.

Once a year the Lower Hutt branch of the Plunket Society makes a call on the public for means by which to carry on its splendid work on behalf of the mothers and babies o± the community. The society is never weary of well-doing; its members give their services liberally to maintain it efficiently, and the practical assistance and advice given to mothers is absolutely free. Such an organisation might be forgiven if it sent out armed raiders and compelled people to pay something towards its cost. On the contrary, the society's way is to give full value for what it receives, thus serving twice. It provides the district with one of its most pleasant and popular annual festivals, the Plunket Fete. This year the fete will be held on Friday, 25th November. It will, as usual, be held in Ridcliford Park, which for the time being becomes the Plunket grounds, with the Plunket Rooms as its principal architectural feature. Some important changes have, however, been made. Friday has been chosen so that the event will not clash with sports fixtures, and many young people will thus find it easier to attend than on a Saturday. More radical still is the extension of the fete into the evening. It will be opened at 3 p.m. and will continue till 5 p.m. as an afternoon function, much like those of the past, with similar "garden party" attractions, and during these hours admission will be free. It will then become an evening event, for which a small admission charge (sixpence for adutls and threepence for children) will be made. Mr. Sidey's clock reform will ensure plenty of light for continued enjoyment till well into the evening, but the gates will not be closed till 10 o'clock. To add to the attractiveness of the evening, outdoor dancing will be provided for, with excellent music, provided by a panatrope--probably the finest producer of dance music available. Throughout the day there will be a great variety of entertainment—music by the Lower Hutt shows galore, and "all the fun of the Municipal Band, competitions, sidefair." The Entertainment Committee has shown in the past that it does not lack ingenuity, and there may b«i surprises in store. Afteraoon tea and supper will be available. The fete will provide an opportunity for shoppers, who may exercise either thrift or extravagance; they may buy either things they need, or things they merely want because they like them —flowers, sweets, produce, fancy goods, "jumble" goods, and so on. A shooting gallery and other tests of skill will be provided, and no one need spend a dull moment. A recoi'd gathering is expected in view of the novel features of this year's fete, and the society anticipates heavy business at the stalls. There cannot well be too large a supply of goods for sale, and friends who can contribute articles for the stalls will find their contributions warmly welcomed.