Y.M.C.A. VILLAGE FAIR.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8515, 21 August 1907, Page 5

Y.M.C.A. VILLAGE FAIR.

OPENING NIGHT,

The Village Fair, promoted by the members of the Y.M.C.A., was opened in the Drill Hall, last evening, under very favourable circumstances. Despite the state of the weather there was a large attendance of the public, and from the time the doors were opened at 7.30 p.m. good business was done. The Fair was promoted for the purpose of wiping out the present overdraft of the Association, and recognising that the work of the Association in Masterton has always been hampered by a large bank overdraft, the members assisted by a large number of ladies, have worked assiduously to bring the bazaar to a successful conclusion, in the hope ' that after this week the Association will be free of debt, and ready to start anew. The Drill Hail presents a very gay appearance, no less than ten stalls, exclusive of side-shows, occupying positions on the floor space of the hall. As one enters the hall, one sees the produce store, curiosity shop, confectionery stall, pansy stall and drapery stail on the left, while practically the whole of the right hand side is given up to the refreshment stall. At the top of the hall there is the"talkeries," "the postcard stall," and "post office," which, by the way, is cleared every quarter of an hour, and the communications therein delivered by an energetic body of "post boys." The fancy stall occupies a prominent position in the centre of the hall. Each stall is laden with all manner of things, most of which have been voluntarily given. In addition they are all handsomely decorated. An attractive feature of the stalls, and one that is decidedly novel, is that all the roofs are thatched. This alone must have entailed much time and labour on the part of those responsible for the designing of the structures. Those in charge of the various stalls are as follow:—Produce: Mr A. Billington and Miss Billington; curiosity shop, Mr D. Hebenton; and Misses A. Hogg, and G. Appsrley, confectionery, Mesdames Johnson, Earee and Wright, and Misses K. Beard. Ross and Drummond; fancy stall,JjMesdames Bennett and Moore (2), and Misses Mace, Mackenzie and Ho?king; pansy stall, Misses Winteringham (2), M. Stempa and M. Smith; drapery stall, Mesdames Donald and A. J Parton, and Miss Joy; tea rooms, Mesdames Tair, and Misses' Joy (2), H. Robins, G. Dixon, M. Tait, E. Richards, F. Miller, M. Donald and M. Church; postcard stall, Miss M. Hayes. The lucky wedding cake is in charge of Mrs Kendall and the Misses Burnett, and the village well is under the care of Misses N. Joy and Donald. There is in addition a "Hessey dredge," and a gipsy tent, both of which are likely to be well patronised during the Fair. "Wonderland" attracted a fairly large audience to the Town Hall, where upwards of 50 young people, trained by Mrs Kendall, went through a number of dances. The sta*>e was tastefully decorated, while the costumes of the dancers were an attractive feature, It might be said that the dances were representative of all nations, because tiie list of dances included a sailor's hornpipe, a cakewalk, Oriental gavotte, Venetian d mce, Japanese dance, and a gipsy Cakewalk. All the dances were neatly executed, the formations were splendidly arranged and, above all, the pupils had a good knowledge of their various parts. The cakewalk was a very popular item. In addition to the dance itself Miss 0. Richards sang very nicely "Lady of Laguna," the chorus of which was taken up by the dancers.

Those taking part in the dances were as follow: Cakewalk: Misses J. Miller, 0. Richards, F. Winzenberg, N. Collier, F. Reardon, H. Berry, S. Winzenberg, E. Jepson, J. Byrne, G. Greathead and Messrs J. Berry, S. Harris, E. Burrows, W. Williams, J. McLean, R. Messenger, G. Rees, W. Hornblow, P. Bennett and T. Byrne. Venetian dance: Misses N. Fabian, N. Kendall, V. Reardon, B. Scott, Pearl Cooper, D. Roller, and Masters P. Wimsett, L. Howell, A. McKenzie, R. Weber, F. Rickards and R. Yarr. Japanese dance. Misses D. Roller, P. Cooper, V. Reardon, B. Scott, and Masters F. Rickards, R. Yarr, A. McKenzie and D. Weber. Sailor's hornpipe: Misses N. Kendall, N. Fabian, D\ Miller, V. Reardon, P. Cooper, B. Scott, and Masters M. Nicol, F. Fabian, L. Howell, P. Wims2tfc. Oriental gavotte: Misses Winzenberg (2), F. Reardon, M. Scott, and Messrs R. Messenger, D. La Roche, G. Rees and E. Burrows. Gipsy cakewalk: Misses P. Cooper. V. Reardon, B. Scott, N. Kendail, N. Fabian, D. Miller, and Masters F. Rickards. R. Yarr, R. Weber, F. McKenzie, L. Howell and F. Wimsett. In the Waltz Charm all the dancsrs take part, and at the conclusion of the dance there is a neatly arranged tab • leau with Miss Maud Wagg, representing Justice, as the centre-piece. The final is a grand march with various neat and intricate formations. In this, as well as the preceding item, the limelights are used with great effect. The dances all through received warm applause. Only three raffles were drawn last night, the winners being Messrs Wellington,- L. Daniell and J. McLean. About £6O was taken at the doors and in the stalls. The Masterton Municipal Brass Band rendered several selections in front of the Drill Hall early in the evening. The Fair will remain open every evening this week, and also this afternoon and to-morrow and Saturday afternoons. This evening there will be a gymnastic display, and a number of tableaux, arranged by Mr S. Earee, in the Town Hall.