THE GARDEN FETE

Waipukurau Press, Issue 14, 9 February 1906, Page 2

THE GARDEN FETE

— O — Another Success. The Garden Fete held on Wednesday in aid of the Church of England Sunday school passed off very successfully. Fleavy rain fell the previous evening, but Wednesday broke fine, though at midday rain threatened again, but held off, and fine weather prevailed during the afternoon and evening. To judge by the gate takings (£l3 5s fid), there was a record attendance ; £lO 13s was last year’s amount. The greatest number present was at about 9 p.m., when the grounds presented a very animated and picturesque appearance, being illuminated with Chinese and other lanterns. In every direction the promoters of the fete were successful in meeting the comfort and requirements of all present, and it is needless to say that the affair throughout was very enjoyable. The various stall-holders had evidently set out to do business, and they were successful. At time of opening the several stalls were filled with mostly useful things—there was an absence of trashy goods— ' but articles soon commenced to ( disappear rapidly. The following were the approximate takings at the respective stalls : — Produce, £ll • sweets, £7 ; refreshment, £5 15s; childdren’s, £4; art gallery, £2 ; shooting, 10s 6d. After paying expenses it is thought there will be a profit of nearly £4o—a good day’s work. The gross takings amounted to £45. Following is a list of the stallholders:—Refreshments, Mesdames Nelson, Young, Hartley, Craven, Harris, and Lomas; cool drinks, Mesdames Bogle and Grosvenor; produce, Mrs R. Smart, Misses L. Gilbertson and Bailey ; ice cream, Misses Harding; sweets, Mrs G.W. Mackay and Miss Scruby ; art gallery, Mr D. Graham and Masters Nicholson; school children’s stall (articles made by children), Miss Winlove. Messrs G. FI. Graham, Smart, G. Ellison, Gunzel, Booth, C. Scruby, Milne, R. Enting, and Master A. Martin rendered valuable assistance in different wavs. Rev F. AY. Martin, it is unnecessary to say, took great interest in the proceedings. In the afternoon and evening the white elephant walked round— Jumbo Junior, captured on the coast by Blackhead. For a young animal he was very docile, except when annoyed too much by the children, when he would kick out with hind legs and use his trunk as a whip. His keeper, Sahib Gunzelli, informed our representativethat the animal had a penchant fOr sealing wax, books, thread and sawdust, also cigarettes. Jumbo had got into the bad habit of bucking when he wished to dislocate a rider,, whereas well - trained elephants would simply make their hides ] shiver, and off the riders fell. To • blind man this elephant was an apparent genuine specimen, though his antics dislodged any claim to sacredness. Jumbo entertained crowds of children and adults, and the promoters took a wise step in securing his services for the occasion. A rifle range under the management of Mr Booth did brisk business, and at times good shooting was registered. A number of ladies held a match, and scored well. A visit to the art gallery, though it was placarded as a deception, was well worth the 6d charged for admission, for remarkable ingenuity had been displayed in the collecting and docketing of bogus exhibits. There was a varied assortment of exhibits, and those who missed visiting the gallery Jost a chance of viewing many works of “art.” To give a couple of examples : “ Relics of China” was represented by pieces ) of broken china; “The Scandalmonger,” a teapot. A “ ghost,” or “ gawk,” was another source of great amusement for the youngsters, a few being genuinely terrified. Weight-guessing.—Misses Nelson and Sharpin guessed correct weight of dressed lamb [4s|lbsj, and divided the lamb. The same in respect of another lamb, Mesdames Gilbertson and Craven dividing the prize. The Waipawa Band, under Mr Cosgrove, attended in the evening and played a number of pieces in a very creditable way, and added greatly to the evening’s enjoyment. A piano was on the ground, and at intervals vocal or instrumental items were given by Messrs Slade, Ellison, Mrs and Mrs Nicholson, Miss Jolley, Masters Nicholson! and others. X Before 10 p.m. the stalls wefir practically cleaned out—what was left a AVeary Willie or Tired Tim would look askance at. Miss Winlove’s jumbles stall was sold out early in the evening. ? By 10.30 the beautiful grounds were almost deserted, and bare stalls and trodden grass only remained to indicate the eight of sterling enjoyment that had been spent. This is tbe third fete held, and each succeeding year the affair gains more in popularity. Tnat being so, no doubt it will become a permanent annual fixture.