COUNTRY NOTES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2327, 21 October 1908, Page 5

COUNTRY NOTES.

WHAREPONGA

[From Our Special Correspoxdext.] A bazaar and entertainment was held, at Whareponga on Wednesday lasi, 14th inst./ in aid of the church funds. Commencing at noon, it was kept going till G. 30 p.m. At 2 p.m. an adjournment was made to a marquee. where the local Maoris had provided dinner, the proceeds of which were given to the funds. The menu provided was excellent, and would have done credit to-any pakeha function. Tea was also provided later on by the same helpers. During tho afternoon a large amount of business was transacted. The display was large and varied, and would' have been creditable to a much larger “town.” Garments for ladies and girls formed the mainstay of tho stalls, but fancy work of'every description was not wanting, and there were ornaments and nick-nacks and a few articles especially for men. A number of articles were contributed by neighboring pakeha friends, and some came from distant parts of tho Dominion. The bazaar was carried, out under tlie management of Misses Baigent and Byles, assisted by Mrs. Godfrey, Mrs. King, Mrs. Pipi, Airs. Tuekweil, Misses Waitoa and Dines, ’ and by several -Maori ladies, whoso names 1 did not gather. A largo amount of credit is due to the school / children who worked very hard tow' make the bazaar a success, and sou"' of their contributions showed class workmanship. Shootiiprfhoso ies, ship’s quoits, “BobsJx'concert games were also enjovcfibuted by present. In the eyef'f and Dines, was held, songs Hari. A pleasMisses Baigentyby two Maori' boys, and Messrs given by Mr. Tunuiing songs by the school ami a feature of the enterel ijlbni. and elicited loud applause. „4sther feature of the evening was the club swinging by boys to music provided bv their own voices. Tho performers'kept beautifully together, and their actions were'quick and free. Five Maori ladies gave a poi-dance-y - n not)ible fact in this pan, as poi- , dancing at Whareponga lias for some time been considered a lost art. A Japanese fan-dance, in costume, was nicely given by six ladies, the refrain, being sung by tho children. Tlie gem of the evening was a Maypole dance by the children. To this item a great deal of time bad been given, quite a number of new and taking actions having been invented by the istrnqtress, Miss Baigent. The children entered thoroughly into them, performing each movement with precision and with an inborn grace. Another wellreceived item was “Ten Little Nigger Boys,” given by boys in character. Serpentine marching punctunted the verses, and it was carried out with vim and complete abandonment, tho bovs catching the infectious mood of the well-plenscd audience.' The final' item was a floml chorus by twelve young ladies, who danced in quartettes, holding hoops of liowers, with charming effect. The Rev. Mr. Long presented t-fie prizes from the Christmas tree, and valuable assistance was given bv Messrs Tunnicliffe, SndcMer, and Tuekweil. A profit of £22 above alt expenses was realised, and tho promoters have still some £3O worth of articles on hand, which are to ho sold in tho ncay future. ' The object of the bazaar was to provide an altar table, font, carpet, and other furniture for the.' Wliarepongar Nutivc Gb ureli.