The Floral Fete.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 244, 13 November 1903, Page 2

The Floral Fete.

OFFICIALS : Presioent, Mrs R. Cock; Secretary, Miss , Alvier i Assistant Secretary, Miss Devenish ; Committee, Mesdames Edmonds, Hanna, Am-bury, Rollo, Messenger, Newman, Skinner, McKellar, I'ascoe, Smith, Stan-dish, Fookes, Fowl, E. M, Smith, Jury, Kiclmrds, O'Driscoll, Freeth, T. Weston, Pikett, Green, Misses Bo bin, Clarice Cock, Hoy, and Hawken. Tea Stalls, M'eSdames McKellar, Standish, Fookes, Pickett, Ford, Fascoe, Cock, E. M, Smith, Hichards, Jury, O'Driscoll, Freeth, and Misses Bo'bin, Lollie and Ice Cream Stall, ulisses Hanna. Floral Committee, Mesdames Edmonds, Hanna, W. AnVbury, Messenger, Misses Dfevenish, C. Cock, add Hawkbii. Wai'hi Gold Mining Co., Mrs G. H. Morgan. Poster Parade, Mesdames Green and Wilkie. Gymnastic Display, Mr Stagpoolc ; Mandolin Band, Mr Cornwall. Bicycle Gymkhatla; Mt-s Edmonds. Cako Shtiw; Mrs It; Co,ck. Judges : Decorated vehicles, Mesdames Pridham, Bailey, and I'. Smith ; Decorated Perambulators; Mtiil and Go-carts, Mesdames Cole, Gilmour, and Mr C. Govett ; Decorated Bicycles, Tricycles, Barrows, Dolls' Prams, etc., Mrs Arden, Misses P. Smith and Mr Cork-ill ; Parasols, Animated Portraits in Horse-collar Frames,, Mrs Handy and Messrs Newman and Watkins. Poster Costumes, Mrs Cole and Mr C. Govett.

An old saying, and one that is generally accepted as being fairly accurate, is to the effect that events postponed art! iixturbs spoiled; implying that as a general i-ulfe functions thitt cannot be' held on the date originally appointed cannot be successful on any subsequent occasion. In that case, we devoutly wish that Monday had proved line, in order that the Floral Fete could have been held on the King's Birthday. Yesterday's proceedings, postponed though they were, proved motit successful, and the attendance was very large. Had the fete been held on a public holibay under such Weather conditions as prevailed yesterday afternoon the numbers present would have been phenomenal, for big crowds were expected from the country. As it W'JlSi tlx! public cotisisted mainly of townspedplfe, and it Is estimated that quite a thousand people were on the terraces and lawn. The effect was very striking, the warm sunshine having enticed the fairer sex into the grounds in their prettiest summer costumes, and the beautiful amphitheatre bore all the colour of a gala day. To say that the exhibits were superb is putting it mildly, some Of the decorated vehicles and poster costumes beiiig such as might with infinite credit grace the lawns .in centres of ten times the size of New Plymouth. Miss Butler's decorated coach, representative of the sixteenth century, and drawn "\sf a couple of greys, was a triumph, and thoroughness was noted in the gi'ded body of the vehicle, the costumes of the ladies—including the old-time powder and patches—and the liveries of the driver and coachman, and the beautiful garniture of the lilies, etc. Then Mrs N. Goodacre had a buggy prettily decorated and drawn by a pair of black ponies, with post-boy In full livery of black and gold. Judging between the different exhibits of decorated bicycles inust have been a difficult task, for among'st these there was excellent taste and considerable 014 igireality displayed, and the preparation of the various designs must have cost the competitors many hours of work. Mail and go-carts were shbwri in great numbers, and here again the effect was most charming. The picture was all the more pleasihg frfam the fact that the carriages contained wee cherubs of babies, who seemed quite at home, and even revelling in the beauty and novelty of the scene. Little girls had their dollies out in all kinds of dainty conveyances, even dolly's dressing being in this case made a ■econdary consideration when flowers and foliage had to be used to compel the judge's eye to rest favourably on one or other of the exhibits. Then came the poster costumes, which drew unmistakeable appreciation from the onlookers. Father Xnias was well " made up," and caused mucb amusement, but the prettiest costumes were those to which were awarded honours by the Judges. As a special exhibit there was a Sedan chair, borne by two dusky little ctfoliesj and favourable notice was taken of this. " Tanner's Nark" was decidedly original. The spectators secured their money's worth from the procession alone. Those who have seen Siinilar functions elsewhere were unanimously of opinion that nothing could have exceeded the pretty effect of the animated scene, with its gorgeous profusion of flowers and colours, heightened by the beautiful natural background presented by the gaidens themselves, which are now looking at their best. The tahdem aiwi fbur-in-hand competitions for decorated bicycles were very pretty. There were all kinds of devices for attracting the nimble sixpences from the pockets of the generous public, who seemed only too willing to spend their small cash in aid of the grounds. The Waihi goldmine reports excellent returns, this novelty being tinder the management of Mrs Morgan. A couple of secluded tents 'wore a certain air of mystery, and undoubtedly mysterious things were being done there. We understand that the hopeful Ones were having a glimpse into the future, with the aid of Mrs Joseph and Mrs Clarke. The telegraph office was but sparsely patronised, Miss Berry having a fairly easy time. There was no lack of business, however, in the various refreshment tents. There was a largv marquee, which was crowded during the greater part of the afternoon, the management being in the hands of Mesdftmt's Smith, George Cocv, H. (jock, F ; HichapHs, Pascoe, O'Driseoil, I{. Jury, and Misses Edmi Cox, Ivy Richards, and Emma Jury. Next to this was a tea tent, also of ample dimensions, and as busy as its neighbour. The ludies in charge here were Mesdames McKellar, Standish, Pickett, and Fookcs, and Misses J, McKellar, Skeet, Kemp, Fookes,, Pempsey, Matthews, F. Standish, and Morsheud. The band rotunda was also made use of, the cup that cheers but not inebriates being dispensed, in company with other delicacies, by Mesdames Percy Smith, Newman, and T. S. Weston, and Misses Ste-pbenson-Smith and Stevenson The ice cream and lolly stall was very well patronised, and the Misses liaiina had all they could do to attend J' t,le wants of their many patrons. , r.T industries competitions filled fairly well, Mr Jeffries acting as judge of home-made bread, cakes etc. On the lawn, the Garrison* Band dispensed capital music, and as a humorous attraction there were pil-low-tights on a cross-bar for the risilnfe generation. The big boat on the lake was a means of providing pleasin e for a lar K *e number, tt canopy ha\ ing been erected over the alter portions by Mr Stevens. Another J*«-Im-ie of revenue, a,nd one tlfoit was was ' kc : Pt " at top." was Pi. IjOiatham s motor-car, which circumnavigated the lawn during the whole of the afternoon. Pupils of the South Itoad School, under Mrs ll "®- Save a capital exhibition of ",',V' , f "; ! '! • a number of the Fitzroy school-children, under Mr O Joluim°?tv W H°,* rcsl)onsible f °'' some piett.j Club-swinging, and the CenSchool cadets' physical drill hirf, 1 -°, Very pood Tho musical bicycle ride, with its intricate evoII ™ s ', evoked loud applause from all parts of the lawn and terraces - J£'' e &test praisf is du» to tli# of*

flclals for the manner In which alt arrangements were made and catlied out. Miss Ahier was especially energetic as .secretary, and certainly is in a position to give a few hints to a number of other secretaries we know as to the manner of furnishing information to members of the Press. The cycling gyinkhanu also threw a great dual of work on the shoulders of Mrs Edmunds, but she proved quite eq,ual to the occasion. Other members of the committee worked most .energetically, and all deserve credit for their share in the fete to a successful issue.

The festivities were continued in the evening, and there was again a good attendance, the takings at the gates exceeding expectations. Owing to the blissful uncertainty of the weather Conditions on Wednesday and on Thursduy morning no elaborate armny.'ments were made for the evoning performances, and the Recreation O rounds were in a state of almost Cimmerian darkness except for the small circles of light around the Various booths, which only served to make the outer darkness seem more intense: Tke amusements consisted of feuts of skill and strength under the management of Mr Stagpoole in a tent near the terraces, dancing. The former was supplied by Cornwall's Mandoline Rand from the big boat which had been decorated with lanterns for the occasion, and the fancy dancing took place in the rotunda under the supervision of Miss Bedford. Doth of these were very onjoyalhle, and the same may 'be said of a line display of lireworks from the shores of the lake. The refreshment stalls were well patronisad. Altogether the Floral Fete of 1903 must be classed as a distinct success, ih spite of the untoward atmospheric conditions on the appointed day, and we congratulate the Committee on the result of their efforts to raise funds for a most deserving object—the improvement of the Recitation Groundsi The following were prize-winners in the various competitions DECORAItiVE EXHIBITS. Decorated four-wheeled carriage, drawn by two or more animals : Miss Butler 1, Mrs Goodacre 2. Decorated Mail or Go-cart, drawn by one child : Mrs Johns 1, Miss K. Hamerton 2, Miss Clarke h.c.

Decorated Hail or Go-cart, drawn by two or more children : Miss Amtfury 1, Miss K, Hamerton 2. Decorated Bicycle, ridden by a lady : Miss Dorothy Grey 1, Misses Dorothy Skinner. und Amy Kemp equal 2, Decorated Bicycle, ridden by a gentlemain : Mr 11. Martin 1, Mr Oeorge Brown 2.

Decorated Bicycle, ridden by child under 13 years : Master Seon Brown 1; Miss Kathleen I'enn 2. Decorated Wheelbarrow, Yacht, Chair, Child's Cart, Hoops, Dolls' Prams, etc, miscellaneous class : Miss Dulce Fitzherbert 1, Miss Mabel Okey 2. Decorated Parasol : Mrs Hatfield 1.

Animated Portrait in decorated horse-collar frames : Master Roy Okey 1. Unspecified Exhibit : Miss Devenish 1, for Sedan chair.

Best Poster Costume : Miss Nuttall ( City Fruit and Flower Company) 1, Miss Honeyfield (Ambury Bros.), and Miss Hatfield (Dresden Piano Company) equal 2, Miss Morgan (U.S.S. Co.) h.c. Four-in-hand Bicycle Ride : Misses Dorothy Grey, Myia Kerr, E. Hill, and B. Hoskin (Mr C. Coker, driver) 1 ; Misses Dora Bed.oid, Vita Quilliam, Dorothy Skinner, and Nora Hanna (Mr Jock Fraser, driver) 2. Tandem Bicycle liide : Misses Elsie Hall and Beatrice Hosklng (Mr C. Coker, driver) 1, Misses Elsie Ward and Ethel Penn (Mr Allan Hill, driver) 2, Misses Vita Quilliam and Dora Bedford (Mr Jock Fraser, drlv#r) h.c. Tortoise Bicycle Race : Miss Vita Quilliam 1. HOME INDUSTRIES. Home-made Loaf of Bread : Mrs Foreman 1, Mrs F, Jackson 2.

Home-made stones : Miss Fraser 1, Mrs Bennett 2.

Plain Jam Sandwich : Miss Clarice Cock 1, Mrs Colson 2. Swiss lioll : Miss Drake 1.

Currant Cake : Miss M. Corbett 1 Mrs W. Newman 2. '

Small Assorted Cakes : Miss Corbett 1.

Iced Cake: Miss Fulljames 1 Miss Corbett 2.