GARDEN PARTIES.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 39, 6 March 1930, Page 2

GARDEN PARTIES.

It would be difdeult to--imagine a more lovely prospect than that present ed by the grounds of St. Thomas's Gohvent- in the,-brilliant summer sun of last .Saturday. The occasion, was a garden party, the proceeds of which go to the funds of the school. The long winding drive bordered by treeferns, shrubs and trees, with, the fiver glinting through the .bridge over the river, with its beautiful-swans, the de-vious,-tree-enshrouded paths leading up to-the .Convent above, and then tihat broad expanse of valley, river,"Bull, and, in the distance, ranges, made an unforgettable scene; but one had not long to enjoy the view, for, in the classrooms, tea invited,, the Upper Hutt Band was staring in its efforts, whilst many of the young folk were very Ibtasy with competitions, and down foelovr were stalls of every description, -tihe

stalls and stallholders being: —Piety Stall, Sister Mary Lawrence; Fancy stall, Mrs E. W. Gibbs and assistants; Produce, Sister Mary Cyprian and assistants; Sweets, Mother Claude; Tees, Sister Mary Boska, and Silhouettes,Sister Mary Lawrence. In addition to, this there were eoeoanut-shies, "SallyO," boating on the river, ride 3on the pony, and many other attractions.

T4ie Eev. Mother an 4 Sisters wi^h to tliank the public for the splendid manner in which they supported the effort. ' . s ■ ■" - ■

A garden party on the other side of the valley was held in the -beautiful grounds of Mr.*J. Mitc&ell. The fete was in aid of the Soudan Mission, in which Mrs Mitchell is •.particularly interested, as two oif her sisters lost their lives there. Three ladies spoke during the . afternoon. Mrs Bimmer spoke at gome length. ,of the Soudan Mission, and said feat ibr.-Carl Kulm was" the founder of the New Zealand Society for the support of the Soudan Mission. Miss McLean then spoke of her travels in Africa, .saying that she had met both Mr and Mrs Dan, Crawford in her African travels, and she and tier companions had. visited the spot where Livingstone's heaTt was tburied beneath a tree, and had inscribed a atnark to commemorate the occasion. v Mrs Priestly then spoke briefly, and expressed the appreciation of all to .Mr and Mrs Mit■cieil, for lending their beautifhiil grounds'• for. the 'occasion. Afternoon tea was served on the wide verandahs, where numerous stalls were also erected, Mesdames E. Dawson .and J. C. Weibb 'being in charge , of the sweets and cakes, while Mrs J. O. Priestly was at the fruit and vegetable stall, and Mrs John Reid at the book stall/ There were numerous competitions and during the "afternoon Mr. Mitchell's daughter, Mrs Campbell, sang deMghtfully. Many of the guests wandered round the gardeni and up the MU, enjoying the exquisite view of -valley a-nd harbour.

A third garden fete took place on Saturday at the Epuni School. Tih© fete was held under the auspices of the Bpuni Anglican "Church, and its proceeds go to fche renovating of that church. In the evening, a dance was held in the school-room. It was a busyscene. The opening wa^ signalled by a Grand Fancy Dress Parade, ,<Led by Mr. Jenkins, whose garb was a most fascinating: thousand-pocket eo:st|bine! A proud little '' China-boy bore off the palm fot the ibest eostutae, its wearer being Master Leslie Pilcher. Numerous stalls wei'e erected in, the grounds, the sweet. 'Stall toeing in charge of the Misses McMillan and. Topan, the tulip garden (in each flower a present concealed) was in charge of-the Misses HanseOl, Ensar, Williams and McMillan; at .#J,,e ice-cream stall were the Misses Barker, Holkconibe, Porter, Hai-dy and Waugh^ Mesdames Howett and Gilbert were in- ciharge of the jumble stall; Mesdames Pearce and Jamieson at the cake stall, and the Misses E. Eussell, Mudgiway, Booth and Mawson served afternoon tea, while the gatekeepers weTe Messrs Barker, Hague and Gdlbert. " ~•-,;■'■ '.