KNOX CHURCH GARDEN PARTY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9997, 18 March 1910, Page 5

KNOX CHURCH GARDEN PARTY.

Complete preparations were made at Mr W. McLaren's loveiy grounds for the Knox Church Garden Party yesterday morning. The heavily laden stalls dotted hpre and then: among the flowers and shrubs presented a very imposing and picturesque appearance. Although at the oper.ing hour the weather looked unpromising, yet a large gathering journeyed to the Fdte, and at four o'clock, wtien rain bt'gan to fall, all the stall holders reported doing excellent business. The rain, which continued throughout th evening, quite upset the committee's calculations, and the result was that the stalls had to be covered up, and the evening's concert programme it. the gardens had to lie abandoned, it being decided to hold it in Knox Church Sunday Schoolroom. The President of the Ladies' Guild, Mrs H. T. Wood, was kept very busy, and Messrs R. ' J. Young and J. Pryor rendered valuable assistance in connection with the function The management are deeply indebted to Mr McLaren for placing his beautiful grounds at their disposal. The following ladies had charge of the various stalls:—Refreshment Stall, Mesdamas Miller, Flanigan, McGofferan, and Scrivener; Plain'sewing, Mesdames Excell and Smith; Fancy work, Mrs Watson and Miss Reynolds; Sweets stall, JViisses J. Miller and J. McGregor; Cake stall, Mrs Willoughby and Miss M. McGregor; One shilling stall. Mesdames Pryor and De Lisle; Flower stall, Misses McKeczie and Wingate; Fishing well, Miss Hogg.

At the concert and welcome to the Rev. Bain Macdonald, which was originally to have taken place at Mr McLaren's, there was a good attendance, despite the"wet evening. Mr R. J. Young occupied the chair, and a good programme of musical and vocal items was rendered. The following contributed to the programme:—Songs, Misses Miller, J. McGregor, Messrs R. J. Young (encored), Clayson (encored), Pargetter (encored) and Gemmell. The Rev. Bain Macdonald played a pianoforte aolo, and the accompaniments were played by Miss Hogg, Mr Purcell Webb, and the Rev. Macdonald. During the evening Mr E, Feist took occasion, in a suitably worded speech, to tender a hearty welcome to the Rev. Bain Macdonald, who 13 acting locum tenens for the Rev. A. T. Thompson, during his nine months' leave of absence. At a later stage Mr Feist, also, asked that a very hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr McLaren for the use of bis grounds. Supper provided by the ladies was handed round, and a pleasant evening's entertainment was concluded with the playing of parlour games.