RECREATION GROUND FETE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81862, 11 October 1906, Page 2

RECREATION GROUND FETE.

A HUGE SUCCESS,

Tin' garden pany held on Wcdnesday afternoon in aid of the Recreation Sports Ground improvement was in eveiy way a dis.inct success. The day was perfect and the arrangements as marly so as is possible in (he hands of a fully experienced, active, and hard-working cnimnuteo. The entrance to the grounds was arched with ferns, and festooned Hags, a "Welcome" and the gilded Royal Arms .standing out in ielief. By mid-day the people had started to pour into the grounds, and the retreshment booth staffs knew no rest from that hour till dusk. ' The Miliirv Band rendered secctions early in ■he afternoon, but whilst His Excellency the Governor was present they gave place tu the Garrison Band, afterwards proceeding with a delightful programme. Shortly after half-past oiu o'clock the Garrison Band headed a procession of vojuntccrs and school children to the grounds. The volunteers, in full dress, mombers ol the two headquarters companies under Captain Mills, formed on the ■ower terrace, as a guard of honour awaiting the arrival of His Excellency the Governor. The band took up 'ts station in front of the place arranged for the reception of Lord Plunket, and the school children formed in lino a little distance in front of the .eiraccs. The veterans, under Captain Standish, mustered in strength, and took up their position in four lines at right angles to the terraces, their appearance evoking rounds of applause frim the assemblage, a New Plymouth crowd always being proud to show respect to the soldiers of former days. The West End schooi children gave a splendid exhibition ot club swinging, Mrs Dowling supervising. Then the Filzroy school girls stepped up, and gave a similai display. Later in the afternoon Ml Taylor's class of Central school girls went through several evolutions and dumb-bell exercises.

The programme for the afternoon comprised a couple of foot races, a iug-of-war, horse-leaping competition, and a number of novel items, in most cases the maximum of fun was aimed at, and the crowd of about hree or four thousand people should have enjoyed, and they evidently did enjoy, peal after peal of laughter. The grounds were a picture, despite the work of felling trees and other .operations connected with the tempor ;uy spoliation necessary to the elaborate improvement of the grounds now under way. This was the first big public function of the vear, and tlie warmth and brightness of the day enticed the ladies in all their array of the new season's attire, giving the walks and terraces a warmth of colour that showed to pretty effect against the darker background of iroes.

His Excellency the Govemrr arrived on the grounds in tire afternoon, and after the official function, which is reported elsewhere, inspected the grounds, and in company with the reception commute? and the chain man of the Recreation Grounds Board, watched the proceedings.

The refreshment sla.ls, as previously noted, did roaring- business, and the management of these was without the slightest shadow of doubt a record in promptness and regularity, all the wheels of the big machine seeming- to work well in harmony. The ladit*' committee was just as successful a's that which governed the sports and other outdoor attractions, a'.i of whom were rcaj Trojans foi work. No one \vi|l feel offended if Messrs Arthur Humphries and James Ciarko a™ singled out for special mention. Six teams entered for the '.ug-of-war, representing the New I'lymoulh I'iio Brigade, Star Football Club, Tai'iinaki Rifles, Taranaki Guards, Egmimt Lodge, 1.Q.G.T.. and the railway deviation workers. The "deviation'' beat Stars, and the firemen had an easy pul' against the Maoris, the Guards beat the Rifles. In the second round the deviation beat the 1.0.G.T.'5, and the firemen beat the Guard". The final pull between the fire brigade and deviation teams was a soft thing for the firmer, who 'beat their opponents ivith a sudden tug at the start. The .vmners were,: Licyt. Boon, Foreman , Clark, ji'-iremcrt Prior, Huntz, and llardwick, and Custodian Way; Captain Bellringrr, coach. Great 'amusement was caused by the appearance of a liliputian tern from Mr Lint's gymnastic classes, who challenged he fire brigade to a pull. As a preliminary, in older to "get muae'e up, .he little chaps hoisted in the right hand a mnnntor.bar bell which, unless its figures lie'd, weighed'lSOil. The loudest lau.gh came when the young-esi of the team, a sturdy little Lints of 4J years, raised this supposedly stupendous weight above his head. The big ends of the har-bell looked suspiciously like hat boxes, but they may hjjvo, b&en'thf real MacKay for tht> liti'je chaps "made no .racu' 1 of the firemen. The shamfight was productive of some amusement and much gunpowder smoke, ending in the capture and execution of the marauding Maoris who had dared to a\tat.-k a British camp. An item that was full of mirth-provoking tactics was the fancy dress hockey match, the players appearing- in all ;s«riß of queer garb. C,raat- interest was manifested in t,hp taping competition, the details of which had beer left in, the hands of Mr Webster as | secretary of the North Taranak I'llunl Club. Mr W. Boston's moun took ilv? fences in best style, and tlv rider was presented' with a medal bHis Kxccllency the Governor. Mis May solo was placed second, and-M ;\V Smiley third. competitor '.were Messrs Bennett and Stockma; i'and Master Perry Sole. Stockman' 'mount failed to rise to the first jum] and crashed to the ground, bus th lider miraculously escaped) injury The relay race, in which five team competed, was won bv Masters E Ward, P. Jury, R. Ward, and P. Hob ■an The High School Boys' race re jsulted.: Sinclair t, Iletdt 2 Tin ("American Pony" caused much am ■usement, and many tumbles "as ride :aficr rider failed to ride him. Th' Icommittce still retains the reward of fered to the person who could sue cossfully sit the brute. The Garri ;on Band played several selections ii th.' course of the afternoon, ineludinj "Gem sof Haydn,'' a gem. Th' spiral march was very cleverly cxe -.uted. The whole garden partv from start to finish, was an umjttaii fied success, and is reported.to liav netted con iderably oved .£IOO.