PHIL WALSH COMPANY. METHODIST GARDEN FETE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 871, 28 July 1910, Page 2

PHIL WALSH COMPANY.

METHODIST GARDEN FETE.

The Phil Walsh Dramatic Company, which has almost become an institution in Foxton, is due at the Public Hall on Saturday evening next, when will be staged a drama founded on incidents that occurred In the famous Indian Mutiny. The play, which is entitled " All For Gold,” will be admirably acted, characteristically costumed and beautifully staged. Mr Phil Walsh will appear in one of those delightful character studies with which he has made his audience so familiar in the past, and he will be ably supported by that talented actress Miss Eva Marius-Paigne in the role of heroine, and as the Company play for only one night, the reputation they have earned will prove sufficient to draw a crowded house.

On Friday, July 22nd, the Winter Garden Fete was opened by the Rev P. J. Mairs, of Foxton, in the Druids’ Hall, Shannon. The inclement weather lessened the attendance, and the Mayor of Foxton (Mr G. H. Stiles), who was expected to perform the opening ceremony, was prevented from doing so by unavoidable circumstances. However, Mr Mairs stepped bravely into the breach, and in a few cheery w ords outlined the scheme for beautifying and repairing the little Methodist church at Shannon, for which object the fete had been arranged. Mr G. H. Gibb, the student in charge of the Shannon Presbyterian Church, offered a very suitable prayer, and the fete was declared open to the public. The Druids’ Hall was prettily and tastefully decorated, and the scene was a charming one when all was complete. An immense nikau palm, reaching to the ceiling, was in the centre, with an ornamental flower-bed around it, edged with turf. Another bed also, in a corner near the platform, was occupied with blooming spring plants, cabbage trees, etc. The effect of falling snow from the ceiling and the whitened surface of the soil, gave a realistic representation of an English winter scene.

The energetic workers, Messrs Mairs, Judd and Saunders, must have felt repaid when they saw the result of their labours, aided by some of the ladies.

There was a lollie stall, under the management of Mrs Newth and her daughters, which proved very popular, also the afternoontea and supper rooms, where guests were catered for by a very efficient band of ladies under Mrs Judd’s guidance. Various original competitions, such as snowballing, wool-wind-ing, etc., caused a great deal of innocent fun.

A glee party, comprising helpers from the other churches, rendered some favourite and tuneful numbers with acceptance. On Friday evening a party of Foxton friends braved the rough coach journey through the prevailing flood caused by heavy rainfalls, and delighted the Shannon people with songs, duets, etc v receiving an encore lor each item. On Saturday evening the principal feature was a “camp fire,” organised by Mr G. H. Gibbs at short notice, when the stage was made to represent a camp of the backblocks, with tent, billies, clothes-line, dogs, and an effective camp-fire, etc., complete. An amusing set of items were given on various instruments, with recitations, songs and local quips. Despite very unfavourable weather, with the exigencies of floods in the neighbourhood, an enjoyable time was spent and satisfactory financial results obtained (^3o).