GARDEN PARTY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81899, 7 December 1906, Page 2

GARDEN PARTY.

The garden party licld at "Brooklands" on Thursday afternoon undei too auspices ol the Whiteloy Memorial Church in aid of the new parsonage fundcould not have been favourethuth more lavouraWe weatner conditions. The attendance was large, there lieing about 700 'people present. Those not lmviil" previously seen Mr Newton King's property were surprised that so delightful a spot existed. Tlits party was a groat success in every way, the financial result being especially gratifying. ''Brooklands" is admirably situated and laid out 101 •mrden parties and picnics. At the real■ w Ine lioniestcau is a cnaniiiiig clump of native bush, with here and there clearings that have been brought to a liigli state ol cultivation. Here may lie found neatly-kept llower beds, containing all kinds of beautiful and choice flowers. The whole area is intersected with paths, and at every turn a surprise awaits the visitors. Various games and amusements ( \vei(e |got up for those who cared to take part, such as tilting at the ring on bikes (ladies and gentlemen), potato races, Aunt Sally, etc. Afternoon tea, provided by the ladies, was served from dainti!y-set little tables in a picturesque leafy glade. Tho Garrison Band discoursed a splendid programme of music. Lollic, fruit and drink stalls had quite a busy time. A very interesting event was the children's fancy dancing. The little mites were prettily attired in fancy costumes, and under the direction of Mrs Gaukroger tnc, youngsters iookcu very- gay as they marched along the lawn. The gipsy encampment w as another and interesting feature. A couple of tents hail been pitched under (he great leafy branches of a magnificent old ehestn't tree. This tree is about 00 years old and covers an immense amount of ground. About 10 or 12ft from the ground the branches shoot out and the foliag-t) droops right down and sweeps the ground. The branches cover a circumference of ground quite 250 ft in extent. Under this unique canopy gipsies (mrjii am! maidens dressed in ire gipsy garb) held carnival, and with a piano kindly lent by Mrs Kin» contributed a pretty set of choruses] At the conclusion of tne junction the. Rev. T. ((. Brooke made an appropriate speech, in the course of which he referred to "Brooklands" as one of e finest beauty spots in (~e Xm He Mas pleased that members of other denominations had attended (he function and helped to uuike it sneh a, ' bad much pleasure m thankinn- Air King for 1,,s S onorosity in plac n - tl grounds at (heir disposal, n m l ?,,, "' " ' 'J. the Garrison Baud. terms. ""» graded in felicitous I 'y''n' a ,'! , , S V" ' , " l fl ' om ""> «ov •■ V Ruttle, | il( - ( . miMist( , r jn "; "t tin; circuit, wishing success. •,», endenng his ronK-m?mM ec ' ln * V 'mentis, and one from (i,,, •!}„.. ~ . iUI <>» behalf of the Coast