SATURDAY’S GARDEN FETE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8350, 10 February 1913, Page 5

SATURDAY’S GARDEN FETE

A garden fete in aid of the Plunket Nurses' Society was held in the grounds of the Prime Minister’s ‘ residence, in Tinakori road, on Saturday afternoon, and proved a very successful venture. About 800 people were present, and all spent money most liberally, so that the society should benefit by something approaching .£IOO. The afternoon was perfect tor such an occasion, not too hot, yet with little wind, and those who went for charity’s sake had a very enjoyable time. AIT kinds of attractions were offered. There was a nail-driving competition, which attracted a great number of interested spectators; fortune tellers, no less than three in number, were kept busy; Aunt Sally attracted great attention, not only from the omnipresent small boy but even from the grown-ups, and the Premier, Hr Collins, and Captain Eastwood, among others, found it not such an easy game, as it looked. Even the ladies took a turn, and Ministerialists and their wives were in their moat frivolous mood all tho afternoon, loe creams in a shady corner were a great attraction, and, of course, tea, as always, was one of the most patronised tents. In addition a maypole dance was performed by children in fancy costume, who went through the various figures with great seriousness, and Williams's String Band gave thenservices for the afternoon, and added greatly to tho enjoyment of onlookers by rendering selections. But the baby show was the chief attraction. Quite early in the afternoon the mothers rolled up with their babies, and wer« accommodated in the motor house; but they soon tilled this and overflowed outside. All ages and sizes of babies were to be seen, all very fine specimens of course (for otherwise why put them in a show?) and here the Plunket nnrses moved about very proud and pleased, for many of them were their own especial charges. There were a great many prizes • donated, so that a great many proud mothers carried home trophies of their children’s successes. In the house meantime a concert and entertainment was given, and a small playlet acted by Miss Hardinge Maltby and Mr Vivian Khiud. 1 Later in the afternoon the Prime Minister presented the prizes to tho winning babies, and Mr Wilson auctioned the remains of the produce and flower stall with great success. Punctually at 3 o’clock the Countess of Liverpool arrived, and was received by the president of the society, Mrs Algar Williams (whose small daughter presented her with a bouquet), the Premier and Mrs Massey, Hr Collins, Dr PlattsMills and Mrs Ktchett. Lady Liverpool did not make a speech, but she went all round the stalls and visited all the side-shows, including the babies. Her Excellency wore a gown of finely pleated oharmense in a soft blue tone with a short over-drese of grey chiffon and a grey hat. Mrs Massey was in brown and a mauve hat, Mrs Williams white muslin and floral hat, Mns Herdman blue linen, Mrs Fisher mauve bordered muslin. and Miss Fraser blue muslin and a black hat. Mrs MoVicar (secretary) wore a tussore coat and skirt and black trimmed straw hat. The following is the list of ' stallholders —Mns Fitchett. Mrs W. F. Ward. Mrs Birkett. in charge .of the tea stall

assisted by Hiss Agnes Paterson anfl Hiss Ward. Produce Stall—Mrs Algar Williams, assisted by Mrs Estcourt and Miss Williams. Sweet Stall—Mrs Corrigan, Mlss Corrigan, Miss Cable, Miss MeLellan, Misses Grange (2). Miss L. Haughton, Miss C. Howe, Miss i. Bull, Mis-. Hawson, Miss Vance. Miss Winifred Coull. Aerated Waters and Ices-y Mrs frank Leckie. Misses Moss. Miss Bristoe. and Misses Leckie. -Aunt Sally—Lady Gibbes and. Mrs Kane. Gipsy Tent — Mrs Ernest Levvey. Baby Show —Mrs McLean and Mrs Pousdnby. The following is the list of prizes given at the baby show :—Lady Giboes. 2 silver serviette rings, for twins; Mrs Fitchett, silver spoon; Mrs Grady, silver serviette ring; Mrs IJirkett, coral necklace; Mrs Me V icar, silver spoon and fork; Mrs Harper, ebony and silver baby's hair brush; Mrs Gordon Held, silver spoon; Mrs Kane, silver fork, knife and spoon; M_rs W. F. AVard, silver mug; Mrs Algar Williams, silver knife, fork and spoon; Mrs Winder, upholstered baby's combination chair; Airs Corrigan, silver rattle; Mrs i\ Leckie. two silver photo frames; AValker and Hall, lady's handbag; go-cart; Scoullar Company, baby's cot; Mr Arnold, child's basket chair; Airs Ktheziugton. baby's gold brooch; Mr Gurney, three bassinettes.

AVhen Lady Mary AVortley Montague passed through Bulgaria in 1717 the things that struck her most were tho hot baths at Sofia, ‘’very famous for their medicinal virtues," and the beauty of the women. She went to see "the women's coffee house," as she termed it, and. though she entered the marble hall of the bath in her riding habit the ladies there were so polite that there were no disdainful smiles. These ladies, she adds, wore nothing bm their smiles, "but they walked and moved with the same majestic grace which Milton describes our general mother with. There were many among them as exactly proportioned ae ever any goddess was drawn by the pencil of a Guido or a Titian."