GARDEN PARTY AT PATUTAHI.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2633, 15 October 1909, Page 3

GARDEN PARTY AT PATUTAHI.

A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING

No more ideal surroundings for a garden party could be found in the Poverty Bay district than those which exist at Patutahi Domain. The GO acres which comprise the Domain are as level a sward of turf as could be found anywhere, while encircling the ground and dotted about freely at intervals is a generous growth of native and imported trees, whose shade affords welcome shelter. Set in the midst of those sylvan surroundings is a spacious grandstand, which would grace any metropolitan ground. In such a picturesque setting was the garden party m aid ct the funds of St.“ George’s Church, Patutahi. held yesterday afternoon, a lie day was gloriously fine and shortly alter noon the roads converging on Patutaln were crowded with vehicles of all descriptions. with eouestnaus. cyclists and pedestrians—all making tor the same rendezvous, Patutahi Domain. Inside the grounds as fair a picture was presented as eve could wish to look upon. Undey the wide-spreading shade of the large willow trees stalls had been erected, which, with their tempting display oi wares, gave an additional' embellishment to the lovely setting Nature luul already provided. The garden party was the culmination of the winter work of the Ladies’ Guild, and the beautiful array of work disp'ayed on the (’lain and Fancy Stall proved most conclusively that the ladies of the Guild had not been idle during the winter months. Mosdnmos Woodward and Camming had charge of the Plain Stall, while Mrs Tansley and Miss Bee presided over the Fancy Stall, and these ladies did brisk business during the afternoon. Misses Jerram, D Fallener Currie, and Woodward had a Dol' Stall, winch was Urn centre oi attraction to the little lassies. Ji Sweets’ Stall, on which tempting confectionery were dUolaycJ in profusion was in charge of Misses iSherratt. McKenzie. and M. Falkner. _ Mcsdames Coles. Jerram and McKenzie presided over the Afternoon Tea Stall and the fragrant tea and henuiifully-mado calces hey dispensed were in large demand. A ‘-Bohemian Fortune-Teller,” in national costume, sent the lads and lassies into raptures or plunged them into the depths of despair according to the fate Me read for them. Ihe name oi the fair fortune-teller wr.s unnsecrtainable, as she v. : oie ail impenetrable mask, and was under an oath to her tribe not to divulge her identity. Mrs S. Williamson and Miss Munckton nearly produced an epidemic of brain fever amongst the gentlemen through inviting them to guess the number of maize grams contained in a bottle. Mr Manson won the prize (a fancy waistcoat) with a guess of 2G3, which was only one short of (lie actual number.

Mr J. B. Brondhurst induced 52 persons to endeavor to guess the live weight of a sheep. The actual weight was lOOibs, and Miss Moiicktoii (991bs) and Mr W. A. Rinsed (101) tied for first place. On tossing to decide who should take the sheep, Mr Russell was successful.

Air C. Parsons had 25 gentlemen, with'stately tread, trying to sec who would go nearest to stopping the exact distance of a chain. Air C. Alatthews was the winner and was only one inch short of the actual measurement. short sports programme was gone through during the afternoon, and resulted as follows :

Tilting at the Ring (5 entries). —V. •Smith l, E. Monckton 2. Horse Jumping (Open).— E. Alonckton 1 H. St<»vens 2, 13. Ilabgood and 11. Morris (equal) 3. Eight entries. Pony Jumping (three entries). —R. Gilman 1, R. Eade 2, H. Stevens 3. Threading the Needle (7 entries). — A. -McKenzie, for whom Aliss Watt threaded the needle, was adjudged the winner. 11. Alorris and S. Newman finished first and second, but the former was disqualified for not leading bis horse the required distance, and the latter because the thread came out of the eye of the needle. Nail Driving (ladies). —First heat, Miss Dolman ; second heat. Alisa (Jilluming; third heat, Aliss 1). Alonckton. The proceedings were greatly enlivened by Air J. Mcildowio, who entertained those present to many excellent records on his clear-sounding gramaphone. Air Richard Sherratt, as general secretary, had a busy time supervising the arrangements, and the success of°tlie gathering was largely due to his capacity for organisation. Air R. R. Sherratt had charge of the horse events, and Mr J. C. Woodward acted as steward for the Nail Driving. An energetic committee, consisting of Messrs J. 13. 13. 13 road hurst, C. Parsons, G. Falknor, and H. H. Wall, ably assisted those already mentioned to make the fete such an undoubted success. The vicar of the parish, the Rev. A. 11. Coles, and the Rev. E. F. Ward, ,of Turanga parish, were present during the afternoon. The red cross of St. George floated from the flag-staff of the grandstand throughout the day, and looked down upon'the rustic games p'ayed by tl” lads and lassies ’neath the greenwood trees, till “The sun’s rim dipped, The stars rushed out, At one stride came the dark,” and one and all wended their way homeward through the beautiful summer even, all unanimous that the garden party given by St. George’s Church had been a truly enjoyable function.