GARDEN FETE AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2287, 8 March 1887, Page 2

GARDEN FETE AT CAMBRIDGE.

Ykstkkday afternoon was observed as a half holiday by most of the storekeepers in Cambridge, to enable their assistants to atteud the S. Andrews Garden Fete, which was held in tho beautiful grounds of Major Wilson, at Waterside. It would indeed bo difficult to find a spot more suitable for a garden party or fete, and had the afternoon proved as hot as it promised to be in the morning, the visitors would have found tho shade of the noble pines—the largest, we believe, in the Waikato—very welcome. Over the entrance to the grounds were hung flags, and beneath thorn sat the over watchful—when tho Church is concerned. Mr Hewitt, who, like Artetnas Ward's showman told you you could not go in without paying, but that you could pay without going in. Having, in colonal parlance, planted your hob with him, you were ad , mitted t<» the grounds, where a number of stalls had been provided, at one of which you could have a cup of tea and a sandwich for (id, or " what you want" for Is. We should imagine they must have had a cornucopoea at thatstall,if they fulfilled their contract. The first stall that attracted our notice was the one at which fancy work and articles of clothing were being retailed, and was presided over by Mrs Wilson and Mrs Stewart, who appeared to be doing a good business. The next was the produce stall, at which you could purchase not only vegetables, but live fowls and piers, also an assortment of temperance drinks,|the presiding ladies being Mesdames Mackey, Forrest, Souter and Hughes. The fruit stall was in charge of Mesdames Lewis, Selbyfand Miss Hunt, and, lastly, the refreshment one, at which Mesdames Chambers, Williams, Hill, Robertson and Bates presided, who, although assisted by a number of young ladies, found plenty to do. Mr Henry Wilson was conducting a " cocoanut throwing" establishment, which seemed very popular, and Mr T. B. Lewis had a shooting gallery under his care, at which he worked very energetically in getting up " sweeps." The attraction of the day was the May-pole dance, given by a number of young ladies and gentlemen in fancy costume, which added a pretty effect to the scene. The dance was performed three times, at intervals of an hour each, the Cambridge Baud —who had kiudly given their servicessupplying the necessary music, and also playing various other selections during the day. A Punch and .Judy show was also provided, and afforded great amusement. In the evening a promenade concert was also given, of which we will give an account in our next. The afternoon, unfortunately, proved cold and windy, which rather marred the pleasure of a great many, but, notwithstanding, we should think there were nearly six hundred in the grounds.