METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2687, 17 December 1909, Page 5

METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL

CHRISTMAS TREE AND FAIR

Notwithstanding the counter attractions, there was a good attendance at tho Christmas Tree and Fair at the Methodist Schoolroom yesterday. The official opening took place at o o’clock in the afternoon, when Mr. John ToAvnley, in a happy speech, declared the Fair open. Business was brisk throughout the afternoon, and the ladies who presided over the tastefully arranged stalls h«cl a busy time of it satisfying the demands of customers. The following was the list of stall-holders— Lolly stall, Mesdames C. East and Aitfcen, and Miss C. Foster; miscellaneous stall, Mesdames Bullock and Hulton; Chris - mas tree, Mesdames Oxenliam. Locliore. Goldsmith, and Reynolds and Misses Brokenshire and Gray; flower stall, Mrs. Dods, Misses Spence and Hawkins; refreshments, Mesdames Harries, J. Chrisp, T,. Edwards, P. Smith, and Spurdle. In the evening the schoolroom was comfortably filled with a happy throng, and the hearts of the little ones were gladdened by tlie wonderful fruits ot the Christmas Tree. An excellent programme \vas presented during the evening. Chief interest. of course, centred in the contest betiveen the Methodist and Presbyterian Church choirs, to decide the tie at the recent exhibition at the Garrison Hall. Messrs M. L. Foster, L. T. Brown, and Alex. Gray Avere the judges, the latter taking the place of the Rev. Mr. Chatterton, avlio is absent on a .cycling tour. Neither choir sang ns AA r eli as it did at the exhibition, probably oh account of the excessive heat or the evening. There was little to choose between the manner in which the choirs rendered* the test piece, WoodAvard’s “Radiant Morn,” and it was realised by all present that but few points AA r ould separate them. After a brief interval, the judges gave their verdict, which gave the Presbyterian Choir first place by a point, the points being Presbyterian choir 77 points, Ist; Methodist Choir 76 points, 2nd. ■ An interesting open-air gymnastic display was given on parallel bars by Messrs G. R. ICnibb, G. Richardson, R. Oxenham, A. Beere, and P. J. Saunders, members of the Gymnastic Club of the Y.M.O.A. . Miss Gray pleasingly contributed a solo, and* a reading Avas given by four members of tho Gisborne* Slm’kespearian Club from “As You Like It.” The remainder of the e\ T ening was taken up with, novel competitions, which caused great merriment. These included hat-trimming for gentlemen, nail-driving for ladies, and toffee-mak-ing. The Rev. W. Grant won .the hattrimming competition with a truly wonderful creation.

The Rev. Mr. Locliore announced that the Fair would be continued this evening, at 7.30, when another attractive programme will be presented.