THE GALA DAY

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1927, Page 1

THE GALA DAY

The gala day on Cass Square yesterday in aid of the funds of All Saints Church Building Fund, was favoured with beautiful weather. That prime factor assured success for the ladies and gentlemen connected with the management had made very complete arrangements for the day's doings. The pavilion was occupied with stalls and tea rooms. Adjacent was a sweets’ stall, and nearby a produce stall, with gifts of cookery, and a very varied stock of goods, all of which found a ready sale. The ladies at the various stalls were kept busy all the afternoon, the patronage of a liberal public being well sustained, as the day’s results disclosed when Treasurer Ward announced the total receipts. In tbe centre of the Square was a roped enclosure where sports and pastimes were in progress all the afternoon. .Mr R. Lynn assisted by several kindred spirits kept the games moving, and foot racing, wrestling, blind fold boxing, novelty events, kept the attention of the crowd. The pillow fighting was a vigorous proceeding, while the obstacle and sack racing provided additional amusement. A central feature was the dancing of the gaily dressed girls, trained at great pains, by .Mrs Nortlicroft. One troupe performed tbe Maypole dance in splendid stylo, the rythnt and actions of the dance being well sustained. The event culminated with the crowning of little Owyn.no Appleton who acknowledged the honor with a most, graceful how. Another troupe tripped it lightly in the merry Sir Roger do Covorely. while yet another troupe was responsible for a bright Old English dance—■ the 'haymakers.

Tho parade of the Girl Guides, under Mrs Perry, assisted by Miss Potts and a troupe of smartly dressed officers was something new to tbe local public, wlio evinced much interest in tbe proceedings. The corps paraded in patrols, and tlion formed a horseshoe under patrol leaders, saluted the Union Jack. Phnnedinholy following, games were held to the amusement of the onlookers, and a folk dance was also given with plenty of vim. The parade was an interesting feature of the novelties provided for the afternoon’s programme. There were several novelty stalls and vehicles for personal amusement. Hoop-La found ready patronage, as did some of the touts where mysteries wer revealed. One tent which was specially well patronised was that where the Baby Competition was iti progress. There were over thirty babies competing for the proud title of Aliss Westland or Master Westland. Matron Hamilton and Nurse Johnson who were tbe adjudicators bad a two hours’ task to solve the problem set them by so many proud mothers. Tbe conditions were tbe best baby of botli sex, twenty months of age or under. One mother was in tbe proud and happy position of being, able to enter two babies—not twins—in this competition. The honors fell to two country children.

The decorated section excited much interest. The motor ears, wheeled vehicles. umbrellas etc., were all decorated with much taste and variety in design and provided a pleasing section of the display. Alesdanies Neville and Shaw were, the judges of this see-

The committee of workers had few dull moments. The lca-ro mis was very liberally patronised all the afternoon and steady business was done in the cramped quarters, the ladies providing excellent refreshments with a first class clip of tea. THE PRIZE LIST.

Decorated Car .Mrs A. It. Richards 1. Miss Higgins 2. Motor Cycle and side chair (special) Mr J. J. Williams. Decorated Child’s Bicycle.— Pearl Dowell 1, Stanley Bnrltrop 2. Special mention, Lewis Shannon. Decorated Lady’s Bicycle- St. Agnes Hostel 1. Decorated Pram—-Mrs Stewart 1, Airs Campbell 2. Decorated Sunshade—Miss Pollock 1, Catherine Cowan 2. BABY COMPETITION. Miss Westland —Patricia Batchelor (Maiiamii). Master Westland —Ivor Willoughby (Woodstock). Special mention—Stuart Teller, extra prize donated. MISCELLANEOUS. s()vd. Boys’ Race, under 12 years (21 competitors)—J. Perry 1. T. Coyle 2. R. Conning 3. ItlOyds. Boys’ Race, under 15 years (27 competitors)—A. Johnson I. R. Roberts 2. Obstacle Race (33 competitors)—!. Perry 1, T. Coyle 2. R. Conning 3. Wrestling, Boys (20 competitors)—P. Coyle 1, AY. Wells 2. Sack Pace, boys (21 compel itorsi -.1. Havward I. O. Fouler 2.

Pillow Fight, on beam (26 competitors) T. Ken- I. M. Connolly 2, IP. Diodrichs 3.

Maypole Race, girls— A . Sutherland 1. F. Rowe 2, M. Herring 3. Girls’ Race, under 0 vents —L. Bell 1. 11. Dowell 2, B. Mot tram 3. Girl Guides—P. Maunder 1, P. Dowell 2. Gills, under 12 years—M. Connolly I, R. Johnson 2, J. Ward 2. Girls, under 15 years—P. Dowell 1, J. Dowell 2. E. Meharry 3. Three-legged race, girls—E. Parry and M. Stopforth 1. P. Dowell and -T. Dowell 3. ELOCUTIONARY COMPETITION.

The Soldiers’ Hall was three parts filled in the evening for the elocutionary competition. The entries for the events wore not numerous and tbe competition not so keen, but a good evening’s programme resulted, supplemented as it was by several voeal and instrumental items. There were not any entries for tbe spelling bee. Revd. G. Knowles-Smith was tbe adjudicator, 'flic following were the results:

Girls—“ The Three Bears” (throe entries) : Betty Brookes PS. 1 : Elva Stoop 88. 2: Muriel Clarke 60. 3. Boys: “Ba Ba, White Sheep” (two entries') : Thomas Ward 85. 1 : Thomas Keown 78. 2. “The Dawn Wind”—Ena Clarke BS. 1 : Dorothy Hughes 81. 2.

“The Glow.- of the Garden”—Joy Ward 1.

“The True Christmas Spirit. (3 entries) : Ena Clarke 100. 1 : Nancy Wood 06, 2 ; Edna Fowler 60. 3.

Shakespeare Speech (Portia) -Nancy Wood 1.

The following also assisted with the programme:—Boss’ Orchestra: songs. Miss Pita Morgan. Miss Rita Borton. Miss Sheriff: humorous song. YU- Bennett : pianoforte solo. Miss Peggy Wells; pianoforte duet. Misses Jacobs: Monologue. Miss Rita Rorton : country dances. Sir Roger and Haymakers’ Dance.

At the close of the competition. Mr Knowles-Smith reviewed the work of

tbe competitors, and pointed out with words of encouragement a close criticism of the work revealed. Tho remarks were generally appreciated, and loudly applauded. ’ The Revel. J. Perkins, Vicar, had great pleasure in expressing his thanks for the. community support extended again to the object they had so much at heart. The receipts were weft" over 7100, and it was thought the fund would net fully that amount from the dav’s takings. Tt was very gratifying and particularly so was the unity shown by all and tbe ready help given by all. He thanked one and all, and mentioned the help given bv the judges during the day and that evening. Tt was ill! most pleasing and encouraging. The evening’s entertainment was brought, to a. close by the hearty singing of the National Anthem.