KNOX CHURCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9137, 9 July 1908, Page 5

KNOX CHURCH.

SALE OF WORK

A VERY SATISFACTORY RESULT.

The sale of work held in Knox Sunday School yesterday afternoon and last evening, in aid of the Knox] Church extension and pipe organ fund, was an affair of considerable importance, as it resulted in the augmenting of the fund by a very substantial amount. The thanks of the congregation are due to the Ladies' Guild for the successful issue to which the function was brought, as for many weeks past they have been devoting themselves assiduously to the manufacture of dainty articles of apparel, the trimming of hats, dressing of dolls, and generally collating the hundred and one articles vended at such sales, which find ready purchasers when a good cause moves. The result of the combined efforts of the Ladies' Guild, the Bible Classes, and the general helpers was to pack the schoolroom with a splendid assortment of attractive goods, while side-shows were arranged in every corner of the building. The opening ceremony took place at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and although it was not the half-holday, there was a crowded attendance. The ceremony was performed by the Mayor (Mr P. L. Hollings). Mr Hollings. who was briefly introdued by the Rev. A. T. Thompson, remarked upon the importance of the occasion as denoting the typifying of the spirit of progress and energy which had characterised the efforts of the congregation of Knox Church for a considerable time past. He said the ladies had worked untiringly to make the sale a successful one in every respect, and thought they were to be commended on the splendid manner in which they had performed their self-imposed task. He complimented them on the picturesque appearance of the interior of the hall, and impressed upon the purchasing section of his audience the need for liberal patronage of '"he various stalls.

The sale was then proceeded with vigorously, and a very brisk trade was done; in fact when the doors closed for the afternoon the excellent total of £6O was taken by the stallholders and at the tea-rcom.

Various competitions for ladies were decided during the afternoon. The utility section created a large amount of interest, the competition in the scone and cake classes being very good. Miss Harris won first prize, and Miss J. McGregor second in the home-made scone class. Miss J. McGregor was first in the spongecake class, and Miss E. Williams was first in the ginger-bread class. The doll-dressing competition went to Miss M. Bennington. In the evening the hall was again crowded with buyers, among those present being members of the Church, who drove in many miles to be present. Perhaps the best patronised of the side-shows was the concert hull to which a small charge for admission was made, and a substantial return reaped therefrom. There were three concert?, the contributor* to the programme being as follows : —Mr Hay, pianoforte solo, "Onerou;" Mr Cook, song, "A Warrior Bold;" Mrs Tnrrence, song, "Turn Once Again;" Miss Daniel, recitation, "How Jim Minded Baby;" Mr and Mrs Cook, duet, "Flow on ing River;" Mr J. >.' ray, song; Miss Daniel, recitation, "Aunt Tabitha;" Miss J. McGregor, song, "All thro' the Night;" Miss J. Gray, song; Mrs Torrence, song; Rev. A. T. Torrence, song, "The Carnival." Mr A. D. Lowe had charge of the concerts.

There was a "museum" in an ante-room, which was also a fruitful source of revenue, and which was in the charge of "Curator" K. Milne. This contained an attractive collection of rare coins, Maori relics, Waterloo battlefield trophies, and sundry other curios of historical interest.

The nail-driving competitions were in charge of Messrs Chamberlain and Sutton. The names of the various stallholders are as follow:—Produce stall, Mrs Finlayson; general stall, Mesdames D. McGregor and Milne, and Mi. j o Ross; baby-linen, Mesdames Mcl>od and Thompson; fancy work, Mrs Thompson and Misses McLachlan, Wingate and Reynolds; jumble stall, Miss Hogg and Mrs Torrence. Miss J. McGregor and the Young Ladies' Bible Class dispensed afternoon tea in the afternoon and supper in the evening. Miss Payton had charge of the bran tub, and Miss M. Payton of the, "bobs" table. Miss J. McGregor conducted the hat trimniine: competition. "Knox Gazette," a special publicat:on, brimful of newsy items, was sold by Mr C. Ibbetson. Messrs W. Kemp, R. Miller and F. de Lisle assisted at the museum and other side-shows. During the evening the presentation of a handsome hand-knit + ed shawl was made to Mrs D. McGregor (president of the Ladies' Guild) in recognition of her efforts in connection with the sale of work. It is estimated that when the net result of the sale is known the amount raised for the building and orpran fund will stand at about £1,200.