ST. SAVIOUR'S PARISH FESTIVAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2499, 6 May 1893, Page 3

ST. SAVIOUR'S PARISH FESTIVAL.

The members of the Church of England in this district, at all events, appear to have a reversionary interest in all the bad weather that visits South Canterbury, and upon the opening of the annual pariah festival yesterday Nature scorned to provide an exception to what is now looked upon as a fixed rule. The weather was simply deplorable. A nasty drizzling rain fell without intermission, and as a consequence the grounds surrounding the Volunteer Hall and Drill Shed, where the festival took place, were in a state of " considerable sloppiness," and only tho boldest of adherents and well-wishers could be expected to put in an appearance. This was the more to be regrettod, as never before had such strenuous efforts been made to ensure a success. A band of ladies had worked for weeks in preparing for sale a lot of really useful articles in underclothing and so forth; others had devoted their attention to catering for that numerous class who revel in fancy articles, and again attention to the requirements of the inner man had not been neglected, for it is an axiom of church festivals that the solacing cup of tea and the fortifying pie should be present. All had worked assiduously aud also laid their individual friends under contribution. Such labors as these can hardly be sufficiently appreciated, although it is to be regretted that the supiuoness of church members renders appeal to the public of this description inmost an absolute necessity. From an early hour on Friday the drill shed presented quite a, busy appearance, the ladies who were to assume charge of the severe 1 stalls being engaged in arrangiu g their varied assortment of wares. To their assistance came va-ious good natured individuals who lent a helping hand in the conveyance of goods and materials. Amongst these must be specially noticed Mr J. Cunnard, who, finding the weather so particularly bad, kindly offered the services of himself, coach, and horses, to carry the ladies to their homes, and back again to the hall, and who also conveyed the children and others who were selected to take part in the Ma\pole Dance aud other items of amusement, from their several residences to the place of meeting. His services were readily availed of and highly appreciated. One may generally look to certain compensating influences even when things are apparently at their worst, and upon this occasion there were many, but it suffices to mention that under the most dispiriting conditions everyone directly interested worked in a most cheerful spirit, and managed to imbua outsid vs with some of their own hopefulness. To give anything like an adequate deroription of the festival it is necessary to deal with the matter somewhat in detail. The miin entrance was at the large doors of the drill shed, and one was first struck with the graceful form of the decorations which were not too heavy, as has sometimes been the case. The first stall on the left was that devoted to Ihe sale of

FANCY WORK AND JAPANESE CURIOS

This was presided over by Mesdames Aspiuall and Pinckney assisted by Misses Nantes, LeOren, and Cox. Among the fancy articles which were nearly o l ' the work of the ladies interested or their friends, might be observed some baautiful specimens of neadlework, in tha sha;je of cushions, smoking cap 3, mantel and bracket drapes, shawls and children's clothing. In addition there were a number of toys, some pretty memorandum slates with gi't frames and hand painted headings, easels for the exhibition of photos, pipes, etc. The Japanese goods were a novel feature of the bazaar. They were procured, we believe mainly, through the instrumentality of Mr Arthur Cox, and comprised some really beautiful specimens of Japanese china, bronze ornaments, baskets, screens, table covers, bowls, oriental vases and we iprms, and a very pretty model of a junk in horn or tortoise shell. Next iu order came the

LUNCHEON STALL AND TEA ROOM very properly intrusted to Mesdames Hayhnrst, Phillips, and Ashwell, who in the past have proved to bazaar attendants that a good deal of comfort may be derived from a substantial feed at a moderate price. Here the weary wayfarer could either procure light refreshment in the shape of tea and cake, or go in for more heavy sustenance i> the shape of fowls, etc. The attendance was admirable, and thu department well patronised.

THE GENERAL STALL

was mainly laden with the work of the ladies attending the Sewing Gu : ld. It was presided over by Mesdames Gillam, Pilbrow, and Gaze, and the Misses Pilbrow and Alderton. The articles exhibited were chiefly children's clothing, undergarments, etc., and these were all of the most approved shape, of good quality, and cheap. Several other articles were also on sale, n stably a cushion in pknh and silk made and given by Mrs Sydney Wolf, and some really artistically-painted plaques, the worV of Miss Dunn, of Christchurgh, and Miss Parkerson, Temnka. Among the useful articles at this sta 11 were the rng rugs given by Mesdames Surridge and Timpson.

THE SHOOTING GALLERY

was entrusted to the care of Sergeant Levens, who appeared in the full uniform of the Temnka Volunteers of a few years' (or so) ago, and many there were who regretted the abolition of the scarlet. It is almost needless to say that Sergeant Levens was able to give his patrons a good deal of advice on the matters of elevation, direction, and windage, and did not neglect to do a little judicious reciaiting for the corps that li - his soul loveth."

THE FERN STALL was under the special charge of Mr WestIt was a really beautiful exhibit, apart from any association of profit, The ferns ware mainly procured from Mr Lovegrove's bush at Gapes's Valley, and were gathered by the Rev, Ml cutter field and Messrs Wills, Langridge, and Campbell. Mr Nalder, of Woodside, was also good enough to offer ferns from his bush, but his liberality could, not be availed of.

THE REAW me was under the charge of Miss Timpqanwho soon attracted a crowd of the younger' members of the community, and did good business. In, centre of the hall was

THE MAYPOLE, tho dance in connection with which wa"> o:ie of the principal features of the festival. The arrangemants in connection with this have been carried out mainly by tho Rev, Mr Buttovfield, and to him is due the credit of its success. It was danced in accordance with old-time regulations by the following : —RibbonHolders—Misses B. Lee, A. Larcombe, M. Aspinall, M. Radford, L. Lee, and E, Aspinall, and Masters L,. A s P4 A. Larcombe, W, Laveombo., H. Lee, G. Lee, and «J. Ltje; the Garland Bearers were. Messrs Annie Nicholas, C. Old'iold, M. Beoby, B. Blyth, and M, Radford; the Bouquet Holders —-. Misses B. Taylor, Lena Gaze, E. B'yth, G. Greaves, L. Timpson, and A. Bateman. The girls were attired in white, with crimson and blue sashes, according to their respective positions, and Miss Gauo acted as "Queen of the May." The music, for the dance,

! which wa.« Accompanied by a song sung in uimon, was played by Miss Wethey. TUB t'LE ITIUC LIGHTING wa3 tbo feature of the evening Mr Hayhurst, with a band of assistant, had all the connections duly ready at an early hour, but through unforeseen circumstances the traction engine which was intended to drive the dynamos was not available until nearly seven o'clock. However, as soon as it was in positi m the near neighborhood of the hall was flooded in light from 1000 candle power lamps, while the hall was lighted with a 200candle power and a number of 16-candlo power lamps which practically rendered tho place as light as day. This electric light was made available for TKfi TABLEAUX VIVANT which wore really excellent, and attracted a crowded attendance at a later hour. MRS JARLEY'S WAXWORKS were on view, together with a number of ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES, all of which will bo dealt with in our next issue. The attendance was very large in the evening, the smaller hall, which was devoted to the tableaux and waxworks, being simply crowded at each performance. Other attractions are promised for to-night, when, no matter what the weather, there is sure to be a largo attendance.