THE HOSPITAL FETE.

Kumara Times, Issue 2380, 15 April 1884, Page 2

THE HOSPITAL FETE.

The Kumara Hospital grand Easter fete took place yesterday (Easter Monday), and must be pronounced the most successful effort yet made in Kumara to benefit the funds of our local institution. It shows at once what can be done by a large and energetic Committee, who are united in one purpose, and have one common end in view ; and it shows also how x’eady the public are to assist the labours of a united Committee, especially when those efforts are concentrated for the benefit of any charitable purpose. This year the Hospital Committee have the additional expenses to cope with in connection with the erection of a new wing to the Hospital, and the furnishing of the same. And in order to make the annual festival this year correspondingly commensurate with the increased cost of maintenance, the Hospital Committee wisely called to their assistance delegates from the various Friendly Societies, and also accepted of the voluntary services of the Christmas Sports Committee, thus making one Strong committee of active and zealous workers and constituting themselves the Hospital Fete Committee. One of the first actions of this Committee was to enlist the sympathies, the kindliness, and the attributes of the fair sex. This of itself at once imparted a tone to the whole undertaking of zeal and emulation. Full well they knew that—“ There is one in the world who feels for him who is sad a keener pang than he feels for himself ; there is one who loses all sense of self in the sentiment of kindness, tenderness, and devotion—that one is woman.” How well the ladies of Kumara fulfilled their part, anyone who saw the stall at the Recreation Ground yesterday bedecked with their handiwork, which must have cost some of them many days and even weeks of devotion, could not fail to see. Then again raanv of them were as busy as any committee men in disposing of the valuable contributions and assuaging the thirst and hunger of the many visitors to the ground.

As we stated yesterday the Catholic Brass Band heralded the day’s proceedings by marching from Dillman’s Town yesterday morning to the Recreation Ground. They were followed by the Volunteer Rifles, who mustered in great force, and also by a large number of Foresters. On the way down the Band played “ The Minstrel Boy,” “ Bonaparte March,” “ Bonnie Dundee,” Harp of Erin,” <fec. At the ground they played selections of dance and other music, under the able leadership of Mr W. T, Richards. We notice the Band goes on improving as on every public occasion they come out, and a goodly number of dancers availed themselves of the appropriate music for having a dance on. the large boarded floor in front of the Band platform. The following sporting events were contested on the ground during the afternoon : Handicap Foot Race.—loo, 200, 300, and 440 yards. Points, 4,3, 2, 1. First prize, L 4 ; second, L2 ; third, LI. 100 Yards. H. Greenwood, scratch ... 1 T. O’Loughlin, 6 yards ... 2 T. Jones, 5 yards 3 J. Keller, 8 yards ... ... 4 440 Yards. O’Loughlin, 17 yards ... 1 Greenwood, scratch 2 J ones, 12 yards 3 200 Yards, O’Loughlin, 9 yards 1 Greenwood, scratch 2 300 Yards. Greenwood, scratch 1 O’Loughlin, 14 yards ... 2 At about 100 yards from the post in the 200 yards event, a child eassayed to cross the course just as Greenwood and O’Loughlin came to-gether round the turn into the straight, and Greenwood, in trying to jump over the child rather than run round it, fell, and the child too. This, of course, gave O Loughlin the race. As both runners £ r*> equal in points, the deciding heat is to be mu this afternoon. Standing High Jump.—First prize, 15s ; second, 10s ; third, ss. H. Greenwood and T, Jones tied at 4ft. 3ni., and diviib’d fi*and second psizes, H. Adamson took third prize.

Handicap Vaulting with Pole.—First prize, LI ; second, 10s ; third, ss.

J. Murtha and F. Smith each cleared Bft. 9iu., and divided first and second prizes; and C. Martha aud R. Bell divided third prize. Quoit Match—2l yards. —First prize, LI; second, 10s; third, ss. R. Bell 1 R. Renton 2 J. Barnett 3 Half-Mile Handicap Foot Race.—First prize, LI; second, 10s ; third, ss. A Stenhouse, 50 yards ... 1 T. Jones, scratch 2 J. Jones, 30 yards 3 G. Wood, 35 yards 4

The remainder of the events on the programme are to be contested this afternoon. The Brass Band, or so many of its members as could begot together, played at the Recreation Ground again, and the stalls and booths were open as during yesterday; but whereas there were some 700 or 800 people on the ground on Monday, only about a third of that number were present to-day. The concert and ball in the evening were both crammed. It is thought no larger assemblage ever gathered together under the roof of the Theatre Royal for any other purpose than were assembled last night. The singing and playing were meritorious, and both bands were in attendance. We purpose giving a fuller notice to-morrow.