PUKEKOHE'S PATRIOTIC BAZAAR.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 223, 3 November 1916, Page 2

PUKEKOHE'S PATRIOTIC BAZAAR.

A Brilliant Function. The bazaar which openod yesterday in the Masonic Hall, under the auspices of the I'ukekohr- bran< b vi the Women's Patriotic League, odcb again demonstrated the thorough and whole-hearted manner in which the ladies of the district are prepared to devote themselves in furtherance of any deserving cause. Seeing that the function had as its object the provision of funds for the League to enable clothing and other comforts to be forwarded to the gallant troops serving in the trenches in defence of the Empire's honour, it is needless to say that the bazaar is not lacking in public support, the attendance secured yesterday afternoon and evening, and the sales eilected boing most encouraging to the League's executive.

The opening ceremony was performed by Mrs Gunson, Mayoress of Auckland and President of the Provincial League, who was accompanied by Miss Spedding, the League's hen. secretary. Mr C. K. Lawrie having briefly introduced the two visitors.

Mrs Gunson expressed the pleasure it gave her to officiate at any gathering of a patiiotic nature. In commending the League for the inestimable good it bad accomplished she outlined how the soldiers' requirements were the first consideration—from the outset of his career as a soldier, in camp, on the transport, in the trenches*, during the great conflict and in whatever befell them. In camp their pleasures were contributed to with reading books, playing games, and music supplied from the League's depot to which all the branches' donations and articles were forwarded. On a transport that recently sailed from New Zealand 1500 books were placed at the service of the " boys," while during the past twelve months some 20,000 magazines, novels and other books had been supplied by the League. In addition to this 1200 books, as well as monetary contributions, were collected at a book evening held in Auckland last week. Mrs Gunson referring to the good work the Pukekohe branch had accomplished, said that the Auckland branch was receiving special acknowledgements from General Godley and others which would be distributed to the respective branches. She then gave a resume of the doings of the Auckland branch in relation to the mothers, wives and children of men on active service and men'ioned that the mothers all met together on alternate months and were taught to sew and to help themselves. A picnic for them had also been arranged and some 1000 mothers and children had signified their intention of being present. In conclusion Mrs Gunson reminded those present that greater activities than ever would be necessary as the great offensive continued and expressed a wish that the efforts of the Pukekohe League's members in respect to the bazaar would be well rewarded.

A pleasing little ceremony was here performed by little Margaret Grigor walking to the front of the stage and presenting Mrs Gunson with a handsome bouquet of roses, which had been made by Mrs Ivan Motion. Mrs Gunson then suitably acknowledged the gift and officially declared the bazaar open.

The arduous duties in cjnuection with the preliminary arrangements for the bazaar were carried out by an energetic committee, of which Miss V. H. Webster was president and Mesdames J M. Baxter and J. H. Webb hon secretaries, and every detail was so well planned that thorough completeness characterised the proceedings even at the start. The stalls in every department were extensively stocked, gifts of all kinds having been most generously made. The stall holders were as follows, viz.: —Produce, Mesdames Stuart, Crumb and Miss Graham; cake, Mrs Mcßae and Miss Ivy Adams; confectionery, Mrs Grigor and Miss I. Brown; kitchen, Mrs and Miss Barter; flower and plants, Mesdames Mee and Wright; children's stall (all the articles for which were kindly donated by the stall holder), Mrs L. J. Bayly ; bag, Mrs W. T. Jones and Miss Madill; plain and fancy needlework, Mrs P. Hogan and the Misses Fausett and Usher; tea room, Mesdames Moore, Webb, Crum, Ashford, Patterson and the Misses Glover, Lawrie, Roose, Smith and Weston; raffles and guessing competitions, Misses Graham and Kennelly; bran tubs, Misses Web-, ster and O'Connor. Miss Aleisha Cave also sold buttonholes.

For the competition classes good entries were received. For the best article made from material at a cost not exceeding Is, for prizes of 10s and ss, donated by Mr A. B. Barter, there were 53 entries, and the judges, Mrs H. H. D. Wily and Miss Spedding had to call on Mrs Guneon to assist them to make an award. The exhibits consisted of dust pans made out of kerosene tins, dresses, blouses, children's frocks, hats, bakery, cushions, crochet work, d'oyleys. First prize was allotted to Miss W. Webster for a crochet hand bag, and second prize to Mr Baxter for a dower pot made from a kerosene tin. In the adults and children's knitting classes Miss Spedding adjudicated and awarded the prizes as follows: Socks : Miss Hamlin 1, Mrs Glover (Puni), 2. Cap and scarf: Miss Hamlin 1, Miss Galloway 2 Balaclava cap (children under 16 years): Alice Lees 1 and 2, Annie Hogan 3. Donations of two cushions, a cedar mop, a pair of fowls for raffles, a safety razor, a picture, a hand bag, two iced cakes and several dolls were made by various donors, while Mr F. Perkins is kindly banding over to the funds the profits arising ing from the sale of sad irons and lamps made at the bazaar. Stage entertainment of a bright and sparkling nature are presented each afternoon and evening. Yesterday afternoon a musical gramme was rondfred Wylio and Miss Webb 1 piano and violin), R. Mason, I. A Motion nnfl (songs). In the evening

whose repetition of several of the items given at their recent concert in the Premier Hall was greatly appieciated. This afternoon a concert is being given by Millicent Taylor and aJPlrsolo by Master Nelson Mee, and this evening an exhibition of Highland dancing by Mifs Hazel Blake and Masters Cyril Maxwell and L. Boadley; a song by Mr W. T. Jones and recitations by the Rev. J. B. Suckling and Master, Ned Costello will constitute the programme. Forms of amusing competitions for this evening's proceedings include wool-winding and hat trimming events ,and a sale of trilbies is also set down to take place. For to-morrow (Saturday) afternoon and evening Maypole dancing will be the chief stage event in addition to musical selections in the afternoon by Master F. Payne and eongs in the evening by Meesrs W. T. Jones and J. Brown and violin solos by Miss O'Connor. The drawing of the raffles and the announcement of the winners of the guessing competitions are timed for 9.30 p.m. to-morrow, followed by an auction of the unsold contents of the stalls.

Boys are reminded of the penny polishing competition to take place to*morrow afternoon.