WOMEN'S WORKING CLUB.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 5 February 1917, Page 4

WOMEN'S WORKING CLUB.

THE SOSEBU'D COMPETITION

OVER £ISOO RAISED

The closing scenes in connection with the Rosebud Competition took place at O'Connor's Hall on Saturday nio-ht, when the final results of the past fewweeks' labour were disclosed. That the competition would prove financially successful few had any doubt, but that £1502 7s 7d would be raised even the most optimistic did not dare hope for. The result must be indeed gratifying to the promoters. Messrs W. J. Munro, J. Evans, 8. Dunbar and N. Drayton (treasurer), and the committees of the various candidates who have worked so hard to make the competition successful. Originally (intended to be worked in conjunction with Paddy's Market held some time ago, the competition assumed such proportions that it was decided to run it independently, and that this decision was a sound one is proved by the result Added to unbounded enthusiasm, the promoters have displayed quite remarkable organising ability, and have lost no opportunity of giving the widest publicity to the competition. Th e competition was conducted under the auspices of the Women's Working Club, and flic proceeds will be devoted to providing comforts for our soldiers on active service.

At eight o 'clock the hall began to assume an animated appearance, the sides of the building being devoted to stalls for the sale of articles, the proceeds of which were to be devoted to furthering the cause of the respective rosebud candidates. There were stalls for the sale of fancy goods, produce, fruit, poultry, Maori mats and curios, and the hundred and one things which make an appeal to the pocket. As the evening advanced the crowd steadily grew larger, until at ten o'clock the place was packed, and the holders of stalls and promoters of raffles proceeded to rake in the shekels. The arrangements were very complete, and every facility was given for the speedy transfer of cash from the buyer to the seller.

A troupe of Hawke 's Bay Maoris added considerably to the enjoyment of the evening by the contribution of vocal and instrumental items, which were thoroughly appreciated and vociferously applauded, One item in particular ,in which two little Maori girls took part, fairly bringing down the house. The duties of returning officer (Mr Munro) and treasurer (Mr Drayton) were no sinecures, as quite half the total received for the candidates was paid in, mainly in small coin, immediately alter II o'clock, and this had to be counted and votes apportioned before the result could be announced.

Owing to the non-return of the books and the late hour, the drawing of the art unions A, B and C and several raffles promoted during the evening will take place at an early date, and the results v\ ill be announced through the columns of the paper. Special mention must be made of the kindness of Mr D. J. McLennan who generously placed his office and staff at the disposal of the competitions executive during the several weeks the carnival was in operation.

The following are the names of the stalls and their respective uvtendants: Eakctapauma Eosebud —Produce—the Misses Spooiicr (secretary Miss Spooncr). Maori Eosebud —Native mats and curios—Mesdames Brown, Kingi Topia. Pukutohi, Messrs E. Bennett, Chase- and Pini (Secretary, T. Shout). Eailway Eosebud —Sweets and soft drinks—Mesdames Dunbar and McDonnell (Secretary, Mr F. Ward). Utiku Eosebud —Produce —Mrs McAuliffe (Secretary Miss E. McAuliffe). Mataroa Eosebud —Produce —Mrs Sinclair (Secretary, Mrs A. May). Pukcokahu Eosebud —Produce and fancy goods —Mrs Doole (Secretary Mrs Powell).

Ohuru Eosebud —Produce—Mrs Bertenshaw (Secretary, Mrs Campbell). Eosebud May Denness —(Secretary Mrs E. White). Women's Working Club Stall—Mrs Shute. The sheep's weight guessing competition was won by J. Brown, Bennett's Siding, whose guess was 82flb, the actual weight being 96Alb. A mock court was held in the interests of the Eailway rosebud, presided over by Judge Campbell, with Mr Olson as Crown Prosecutor, The police wore represented by Constables Adair and Wilson, and women police Streeter a-u! o'Flaherty, who had a very strenuous time hunting up and bringing in delinquents for trial. The accused were invariably found guilty, and Judge Campbell, in a very judicial spirit, made "the punishment fit the crime." A mock court (female division) was vdso held during the evening, presided over by Mrs Justice S. Powell, ably assisted by Chief-Detective Airs Campbell, and rh e sentences were sharp and '-•adden, and not always tempered with mercy. No cases were held over for Mm probation officer's report, the ac--sed being dealt with summarily. Numerous raffles were promoted duririg the evening, and it was very hard 'n evade the eager importunities of the your-g lsdies, in their efforts to cajole the usual small coin out of the gentlemen pro-Sent, Thp. i\i:iing ; o'f -_

various articles was under the direction of Messrs Evans and Dunbar, who had a very busy TlSfc|e, attondantj/.it: some of the p? sjJHPalls-did not \t-nt-for business r i (K7' to them, but set out to meet it half-way, and the hu- ! niourous spectacle might be seen of an enthusiastic saleswoman expatiating on the qualities of a couple of cabbages j and a bundle of beetroot to a bashful young man, though what he was going- , to do with it when purchased was not explained. Games were under the supervision of Messrs Shout and Mortland. who did a thriving business until "somethingwent wrong with the works." Sharp at eleven o'clock the competition for the rosebud queen was closed, and the executive committee proceeded: to count the money and apportion the votes. Shortly before midnight the Mayor (Mr A. L. Arrowsmith) mounted the stage, and announced th e result as follows:

The announcement was received with prolonged applause, the Maoris being particularly delighted. His Worship said he desired to heartily congratulate the Maoris on their splendid achievement, which did them infinite credit. In presenting the prize (a handsome silver cup donated byMrs H- W. Smith) to the Rosebud Queen, Miss Marianna Hekenui ,a diminutive Maori maiden, he said the odject of the promoters of the competition was to provide comforts for our -soldier boys in the trenches, and the handsome sum realised would be a very welcome addition to the funds of the Women's Working Club to enable them to carry on the good work they had so whole-heartedly set themselves to do. There were on the list about 200 soldiers at the front from the district, and the average cost of each parcel was ten shillings. It was not intended to make any further canvass for funds at present, though that was no reason for us to cease our efforts. There was one suggestion he would like to which was that as the Maoris :■ had worked so hard and had given so;liberally, they should ckocse from the members of their race a prominent person to look after the interests of ♦soldiers who were fighting at the. front. In conclusion Mr Ar.rowsmith said it would be invidious to mention names where all had worked as lla?d, and to whom the best thanks of the community were due in no small measure. (Prolonged, applause). Mrs tShute, president of the Women's Working Club, presented tne Itooebud Queen elect with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Mr T. Shout, as spokesman for tha Maoris, mad e a happy little speech, in which he said though they were anxious to win the competition, their main object was to obtain funds to provide comforts for oar lads who were doing their bit for the Empire. He said he was sorry they could not all win, and called for three cheers for the losers, which was given enthusiastically.

Candidate Amount. Votes Mardanna Hekenui 539 17 10 129.574 Etta Spooner 302 16 4 72,(;76 Peggy May 20 G 7 6 49,530 Mary 0 'Brien 160 S 10 38.506 Jean Gilchrist 82 13 •j 19,S39 Lily Isa. Doolc 09 3 3 16,599 Jean Campbell 66 15 7 10.QS7 May Denncss 37 19 (5 9JJ4 Bona Field 24 4 0 5.S08 Gwen Gardner 10 1 0 w 'drawn B. Downing 2 0 6 w 'drawn