TURANGA CHURCH FETE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2745, 25 February 1910, Page 7

TURANGA CHURCH FETE.

A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING

The twenty-first annual fete organised ini aid of the Tnranga Church funds was held yesterday afternoon in the Mission Estate grounds. Tile- weather was very fine, and light clouds obscuring the rays of the sun made matters very pleasant for the large crowd which, assembled. The attendance was larger that lias been the case in past years, the competition events were well filled, and from every point of view the fete was a complete success .

A new feature which had been undertaken with some misgivings was a flower show, and the results fully justified the anticipations of those who urged its inauguration. The exhibits were on a comparatively modest scale, hut the quality, generally speaking, was good, and there were some particularly meritorious blooms. An excellent commencement has been made with the floral section, and it is confidently hoped that another year it will have attained much more pretentious dimensions.

There was no lack of competitions to maintain interest for those who appreciate healthy excitement and for those whose preference is for a quieter form of enjoyment—a saunter through the picturesque grounds made the time pass very pleasantly. Refreshments were available in plenty, both afternoon and evening tea being provided. A sale of work attracted special notice from the Indies, who wore, likewise eatorgcl for in. mil-driving, cricket ball throwing, and similar competitions. Amongst the men the equestrian events monopolised the programme, and these not onlv produced exciting finishes, but also evidenced considerable skill on the part of the winners. In the jumping events there were one or two falls, but fortunately the injuries to Hm riders were not or a serious nature. Children had a glorious day scampering about the grounds and enjoying the delights of the merry-go-round. A programme of music was contributed during the afternoon by the Vita Bros.’ orchestra. The arrangements were as a whole excellent. and at no time were the proceedings allowed to -flag. The secretary. Mr. Cans. Gray, was indefatigable iii his efforts, and was assisted by a number of willing workers. The Fete Committee was: —Messrs J. C. Shorra+f. C. "Woodward, C. Parsons. J. C. Brocdhnrst, A. C. Steele, J. Watt-on, H. L. EHis, A. R. Whitson, R. Image, Looker J. Hyland, Major ' Burgess, Revs. E. Coles and E. Jennings. The ground officials were:—Messrs’ J. E. Foster. H. H. Wall, J. B. Kells. David and Ronald Cameron, Tanslev, C. Bolton, R. Cooke, T. Smith, and G. Jennings.

Mrs. A. J. Cameron, Miss Evans. Major Burgess, and Rev. E. Ward wore responsible for the successful con. duct of the flower show. Others who assisted were:—Afternoon tea, Mrs. H. White and Miss Gray; sale of work, Patutalii stall. Airs. Coles and Miss Ealkner : Waerenga-a-hika stall. Mesdames Ward and Gray; produce stall, Miss Sherratt and Airs. T. Sherratt; lolly stall, Miss N. Sherratt and Mrs. R. Sherratt; lemonade stall. Messrs Parsons and Broadhurst; patent swing, Mr. Ralph Warren: chain-walking, Mr. A. C. Steele; height and weight, Mr. R. Sherratt; rifle shooting, Messrs Walton and Rougher: guessing competition (sheep kir.idlv lent by Mr. Yon Pien), Mr. Tanslev; Aunt Sallv, Mr. Coutney; hot water, Air. Fitzell. The district tea table was under the supervision of the following Indies:— V 7 aeronga-n-hika. Mrs. Ward; Ormond, Miss Newman; Wnimata Mrs.- A. R. Watson : Patutalii. him. Parsons: Akakauri, Airs Read : Mu'karakn and Mein, where, Airs Bousfield ; Te Arai, Airs. AVall and Airs. Alurphy. The Rev. Alntthew Butterfield. Principal of the AA'aerenga-a-hika College, also lent valuable assistance towards the success of the fete, and a number of the visitors availed themselves of the opuortunitv to view the capital achievements of himself and his scholars m advanced horticulture as shown in the. garden immediately adjacent to the College. The various events resulted as follows :

MEN’S CONTESTS

Tilting at the Ring.— P. • Walsh 1 , A. Alc.Kcivrie 2, G. Newman 3; 23 entries. Lemon Cutting. —L. Newman 1, F. Hansen 2; .14 euirics. Needle-Threading Competition. —E. Swainson 1, P. Campbell 2; 13 entries. Bonding Competition.—A. Devery 1, {,. Newman 2, Griffin 3; 15 entries. Best Dressed Lady (comic). —"P. Rodgers 1, AL Walsh 2, E. Hanson 3; 6 entries. In this event Airs. Colonel "Winter kindly assisted Air. White in the judging. As is usually the case, it created no end of amusement, but the judges held the view that the spirit of the competition was somewhat departed from. They looked for a quaint effect of the. Gretna Green style, and objecting to the spick and span costumes of modern fashion gave their verdict on those lines. Gretna Green Race. —Dick Walters and M. Walsh 1, F. Hansen and E. Hansen 2.; 8 pairs competed. Jumping Contest. —E. Toole’s Athlone 1, S. Newman’s Bay Bell 2, J. R. Dunlop’s Rakau 3; 17 entries. Wrestling on Horseback. —A. Devery 1. A. McKenzie 2; Pennell and Stevens also competed.

LADIES’ EVENTS

Throwing the Cricket Ball. Mrs. Jeffrey (126 f- lOin) 1, Miss Goldsmith (126 ft 9in) 2; 15 entries. Girls’ Race.—Dorothy Hatten I, Rita Walton 2. rr Nail Driving.—First Heat: Miss Harris'%, Miss Bo'vd 2. Second Heat j Miss Evan 1, Miss A. Harris 2. Third Heat : Mrs. Martin 1, Miss Gillman 2 Fourth Heat: Airs. Langford 1. Mrs. AVhitlock 2. Fifth Heat: Miss Gordon 1- . Potato Race.—Miss McKenzie 1. Miss “Polly” 2. FLOWER SHOW.

Cactus Dahlias.—Airs. Broadhurst 1. Single Dahlias. —Aliss Yates 1Geraniums.—Miss A. Newman 1. Carinas .--Rev. E. Ward 1 Asters—Aliss Yates 1. Airs. Butterfield 2. , 7 A - ~ Cut Flowers.—Aliss Tates 1, Mrs. Tansley 2. . ■ Air. AleLernou’s special prize, a copper how.l for best exhibit in tent, was awarded to Airs F. Pattullo for zinnias, and Mr Thomson's "prize of 'los worth of seeds for cut flower classes to Miss —Miss B, Newman 1.

Bridal Bouquet.—Airs. Butterfield 1, .Miss F. Jones 2, Airs. d-csßarres H.c. Air. A. Thomson acted as judge in tlm cut flower classes, and Airs. Milluck nml Airs. Frank Barker in the buttonhole and bridal bouquet classes.

TUKANGA MUSICAL SOCIETY'S

CONCERT

A most enjoyable concert was given bv the Tnranga -Musical Society last evening in the'Waerenga-a-hika College grounds. Alessrs Vita Bros, played the opening number, a'“Dorothy” selection, and were heartily received. The concerted numbers, “Hail, Smiling Morn,” “The Bells,” “Annie Laurie ’ and “Awake Aeolian Lyre,” and the “Wedding Song” from the “Rose Alaidon” were very creditably rendered by the full chorus"of the Society under Lao able leadership of Air. Alex. Gray. Ihe last mentioned item was particularly well given. A duet from the “Rose "Maiden” was pleasing'v rendered by AH’s. Parsons and Mr. Hignett. Songs V ;'/.re rendered by Aladame Gleave, Airs p.usors, and Alessrs Alex. Gray, Htguott and Blundell, a violin solo by Mr. (' Williams, and a flute solo by Air. Vita. Madame G leave’* singing was especially enjoyable. She possesses a wonderfully rich contralto voice, and" knows how. to use it. Iho Alusieal Society are to be congratulated on such a highly meritorious concert.