MANAKAU.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 6 February 1920, Page 3

MANAKAU.

SUCCESSFUL GARDEN PARTY.

A SPLENDID FUNCTION.

All connected with the garden party

held at Manakau cm'Wednesday afternoon last, in aid of the Manakau Methodist Church building fund, deserve congratulations on the unqualified success that attended the function. The promoters were distinctly fortunate in securing the use of Mrs P. W. Lngc’s beautiful grounds (lately occupied by Mr T. Bevan, sen.) for the gathering. This is one of the loveliest gardens in the entire district, charmingly situated on a rise near the town-

ship. Numerous beautiful trees afford

shade, while the wealth of lovely flowers and the many choice shrubs were greatly admired by all present. Ideal summer weather was experienced, and there was a large attendance, including a goodly number of visitors from Levin and Otaki, all of whom spent a very pleasant time.

The Opening.

The Rev. W. G. -Slade, M.A., in asking Mr D. Matheson (Mayor of Levin) to perform the opening ceremony, said Mr Matheson’s name stood high in the district, and they were fortunate in having him with them. Mr Slade took the opportunity of returning hearty thanks to Mrs P. XV. Ingo for the use of her lovely garden, Mr Ferry for his valuable assistance with the Punch and Judy show, the musicians, and all who had assisted with donations or with the stalls.

Mr Matheson expressed his pleasure at being present to assist any good object, and that day’s function was being held with a most worthy object—the reduction of the debt on the Manakau Methodist Church. Mr Matheson said the Manakau church was one of the quaintest in the Dominion, and Manakau people should be very proud of it. The speaker said he had inspected the stalls, and could recommend the people to invest freely at these. He congratulated all on the splendid function, and on having secured such ideal grounds for the purpose. Mr Matheson then declared the garden party duly open.

Mr Howard Andrew, on behalf of Mrs Inge, thanked the previous speakers for their remarks, and said Mrs luge was only too pleased to have tho function at her grounds.

The Attractions.

The stalls, which were beautifully decorated and nicely laid out in various parts of the garden, contained a tine array of articles of every description, and good business was done at all.

The work stall, in charge of Mesdames Les. Atkins and Lcs. Staples and Miss Robinson, was nicely stocked with useful and ornamental articles, which found a ready sale. Mesdamcs H. Andrew and Stupples, Misses Ruby Bevan and Inge had a tine display of

cakes at their stall, but “sold out” was ihe report early in the day. At the produce stall there was a fine array of fruit, vegetables, meat, and produce of various kinds. Good business was done by those in charge, viz., Mesdumes Bramley and Robinson, Miss Ohlson, and Mr Robinson. Afternoon tea was dispensed in a marquee, which -was freely patronised. Here Mesdamcs Cameron, sen. and jun., and Clifford. Misses Cameron. Bramley, Houghton, and Marshall did excellent work. The sweets and ice cream stall was the centre of attraction to many, especially the children, and capital business was done by Misses Violet Bramley, M. Robinson, and Keats. The Punch and Judy show, under the skilful management of Mr Ferry, of Otaki. was a source of great amusement to all—old as well as young. Mr Ferry’s ventriloquial powers and his witty sayings created great merriment.

A considerable number of guessing competitions created considerable interest —there were no raffles.

Music was provided by several young Indies, which added to tho harmony ot the proceedings. One and all spent a very pleasant afternoon, and the affair was a great success in every way.

Much credit is duo to the members of the Methodist Ladies’ Guild, who organised and carried out the function with such success. The splendid result of their efforts was a fitting recompense for the great amount of time and trouble they spent in connection with the function, which was certainly one of the best ever held in Manahnu. The following are the details of the takings: — £ s. d. Work stall 12 12 3 Cake stall 3 16 3 .Ice creams and sweets .... 6H* 9 Afternoon tea 4 19 0 Produce stall 9 3 0 Gates . . I T 0 0 Punch and Judy snow 4 7 6 Sheep guessing 1 0 Nail driving 12 0 Hat trimming competition . - 13 Cake guessing (Mrs Inge’s cake) 2 0 0 Cake guessing (Mr Homig's cake) 10 9 Buttonholes 4 Cash donations 12 10 0 Total £G7 5 10 There were two sheep-guessing competitions. One was guessed by Miss Robinson, white three guessers were equal as regards the weight of the other, viz., Messrs Brawler', Meharty, and 1 Net's, The ladies’ nail-driving competition, which caused much fun. nas won, by Mrs Phillips, and the men’s by Mr Gore. Mrs Inge’s cake • was won by Mr Perry, Mr Hornig s . cake by Mesdames Stupples and Bevan. and the two dinners (presented by Mesdames J. Atkins and, Bnuniey) by Mr Perry and Miss Bqyliss res pectively.