THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND GARDEN FETE.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 413, 6 February 1890, Page 2

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND GARDEN FETE.

After several postponements made for reasons whioh do credit to the Church, th. Garden Fete was successfully held yesterday. The morning was anything but promising, the dreaded Captain Edwin, with his weather predictions, having on this occasion proved a true evil prophet, but as the day wore on things had a-much more cheery appearance, and, though the atmosphere was dull and the foliage moist, the elements did not seem threatening. The afternoon proved a glorious one, as if special arrangements had been m ide for the occasion, and it was made a close holiday in town, even those who wore opposed to the Jubilee Day proper being interfered with evincing a praiseworthy spirit of deference to the wishes of others, and a harmonious understanding prevailed. Messrs Tsnsley and Little generously placed their vehicles cm the road, free of charge, for the oonveyanoe of visitors to the Hapara. The beautiful grounds at the Hapara, the use of which was kindly permitted by Mr Gold Smith, presented a very pretty picture, with the tables placed under the benevolentlooking fir trees and a host of busy ladies attending to all those little details necessary to the complete enjoyment of the oco.iion, There was an enormous attendance, end things were kept going with muoh spirit. The sports formed the first attraction, and events were got off at intervals during the afternoon.

The Jubilee Handioaf.—First Event—loo yards. A. J. Cameron, (sor.) 1 F. Lysnar, (8 yds) 2 W. Nisbett, (8 yds) 3 Thia was a splendid race, Cameron making a fine spurt at the finish, There were ten starters, neither Teat nor O'Meara being in time to run,

Second Event—lso yards. Teat, (5 yds) ... 1 Loomb, (4 yds) 2 A. Wade, (8 yd.) , S Teat, who did not take the trouble to don running costume, won comfortably, Third Event—2oo yard., Naser, (11 yards) 1 Teat, (7 yds) 2 Nisbett, (13 yards) 3

Naser got away well and wu not caught, Teat making a good second. Teat therefore won with eight pointe, Cameron five, and Naser five. Th. latter having won the long distance event was awarded second prize. A walking match was arranged and was won with ease by G. Johnstone, F. Hooper second. A large number of boys' aud girla’ races were arranged, and the finishes gave no small amount of pleasurable exoitement. In the boys’ obstacle especially was the fun fast and furious, somewhere about forty boys altogether taking part ia the various heats. The Boys' Race, under 15, was won by F. Grey, Girls under 15 by Fanny Sceats, Boys under 10 by K. Brown, and Girls under 10 by Mary O'Dwyur. The Obstacle Race was eventually won by Peterson, and the Threologged Race was taken by Watt and Hicks

In the ladies' events, Mrs Baker won the threading of the needle competition, whioh proved very interesting. Miss Kensington won the potato race, whioh owing to a number of dead heats was a most entertaining affair. The balloon ascent was not v.ry successful, the balloon catching fire. “ CINDXBBLLA.” The arrangements tor the performance of the above hah been most creditably made by Mrs Sunderland—indeed it was upon her assiduity and excellent osnaoity tor organisation that the result of the Fete itself greatly depended, and tbe success achieved ought to be especially gratifying to that lady. The effect of tbe performance of Cinderella was greatly lessened because many were unable to obtain s good view of it, and the irrepressible small boy would persist in making matters worse by raising clouds of dust, while one or two persons forgot that ordinary mortals were enable to see through expanded umbrellas. But the performance itself was very good. Miss DeLautoor took :ho part of Cinderella, nod acted it to the best advantage.

Mies Brooke-Taylor was tbe Mother, and th. Sisters were Misses Langford and Etta BrookeTaylor. Mr E. Matthews assumed the part of Prince, Miss Gould tbe Fairy, Miss Laura Langford Brittania, and Miss Eva DeLtutour was Young New Zealand. The other ladies who assisted were Misses Mabel Newton, Ethel Bilhsm, Field, Gladys Wstson, Palairet, Annis Drummond, Nelli. Tucker, Una Greenwood, Violet Crawford, and Nolan; also Messrs John and Desmond Bourke, Herbert and Harry Watson, Frank Sherriff, Leo Greenwood. Edgar Thomson, Staite, and W. Lysnar. There were also 24 school children, representing " Apple Pie,” and supervised by Miss E. Bach. The piece was divided into several sots, and the Garrison Band supplied tbe music. The costumes were very prettily got up, and required no lime light effect to set them off to advantage, because they looked even better in tbe ” garish light of day,” though unforiu. nately, as stated, many people could not get a good view ot the pertormsnoe, THE TEA.

The various sports kept things going merrily until tea time, when the ladies had a trying task set them, there being enough people present to make many relays at the tables. But there was an abundance ot provisions, and the ladies wore quite equal to the occasion, doing their best to make every one else enjoy themselves, and if there happened to ba one who did not tare well, he had only himself to blame. Tbe tables were provided and presided over (by the following ladies (assisted by a large number ot young ladies whose names were not all obtainable) : — Mesdamea Dunlop, Pollen, and Townley, assisted by Mrs Bourke, Mrs Ranger, Misses Barry, Blythe. Taylor, and Townley, Meadamee Palairet end Gardiner, sesiated by Mrs Parris. Misses Palairet, Adair, Martelli, Watson, Newton, and Young. Mesdames DaLautour and Akroyd, assisted by Misses Ida Lysnar and Langford, Mrs Barker, assisted by the Mieses Barker. Meadam.s Pettie, Bousfield, and Ratcliffe, with Mrs Dickie, Mis. Reardon and Misses Kennedy, Mesdamea Tucker and Sherriff, with Matstents. Mesdamea Gold Smith and Greenwood, assisted by Misses Lysnar, Booth, and Kensington. Mesdamea Baker and Humphries, with Mrs Lewis and Mies Alice Baker. It follows as a matter of oouree that with such a large number of people, the ladle, must have been heavily taxed, but complete satisfaction was given, and those who provided the table, are to be congratulated upon their able management. The Garrison Band arrived early in the afternoon, and at intervals discoursed eeleo» tions of muaio. The Band was of course a great feature in the general success, and the Committee felt very grateful to Mr Brown (Bandmaster) and the members of the Band for the obliging disposition shown, some of the members attending, at much inconvenience to themselves. THE WAXWCBK.’. In the evening the show of Mrs Jarley's Waxwork figures took place. The following is a list of the characters, and those who represented them ;— let Scene—Walking Doll, Millie Barnard; Twins, E. Langford and G. Carter; Mrs Squeers, Alias Taylor; Thin Boy, E. StubbsHe won’t be happy tfll he gets it," D. Bourke. 2nd Scene—Local Politician, W. Lysnar; Samson, W. E. Akroyd Mrs Langtry, P. Bourke; Sleeping Beauty, Miss Gould; Prince Charmer, E. Matthews. 3rd Scene—Cbnng, Mr George; Queea of Hearts, Miss Watson; Double Headed Nightingale, Miss Barry and Miss Mills; Jack in tbe Box. Mr Crawford. Tommy, Claude Sherriff.

Mr O. Hugo made a capital showman, and although laboring under difficulties, sucoeefed in conveying to his audienne an adequate idea ot the wonderful qualities of the figure, whioh he manipulated. The make up of the various characters were all excellent, and wer. evidently the re.ult of muoh time and trouble on the part of their wearers. The Fete was the most suoceastul affair of its kind ever held in Gisborne, and it is expected that about £5O will Im cleared by the Feia.