St. Stephen's Church.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIII, Issue 2566, 14 January 1892, Page 2

St. Stephen's Church.

ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY

| The annual Garden Party m connection with St. Stephen's Church came off m the Parsonage garden yesterday, and was a great success. The afternoon was wholly devoted to the children, and for their amusement all sorts of games were provided— croquet and bowls on the lawn, a merry.gu-iouuil mni swings among the trees, a shooting gallery, a Punch and Judy Show, &c. A large number of young people attended and spent the afternoon very pleasantly. But though the entertainment of the children was more especially the work sec aside for the afternoon, not a few adults weie present, a good many friends from the country being recognisable. In the evening there was quite a large gathering, and the visitors enjoyed themselves very much m the Well laid out and well kept grounds of the Parsonage. The Ashburton Brass Band was present, and took up a position under the trees on the margin of the lawn, between the stall set aside for the sale of ilowers and fruit and that for the sale of work. During the evening the Band played a number of selections of music, and helped greatly to enliven the proceedings, When darkness closed m, the stalls were lit up with Chinese lanterns, and from the numerous torches planted round the band's circle plenty of light was thrown upon the lawa. Mr Page's shooting gallery was very largely patronised during the evening, a good many teams took a turn at the bowls, and croquet was played as long as the light permitted, or rather until Mr Thomas made use of the croquet ground on which to hold an auction of the good things that had not been used m the tea stall during the day. The tea stall was a large marquee on the right of the miin entrance and was utidpr the charge of Mesdames Fooks, John CuptiSj and Bland, assisted by a strong and willing band of young lady helpers, several of whom realised for the first time that it is no child's play making preparation for a meeting of this kind, as work had to begin at a very early hour m the morning, and there were those among the number of workers who commenced the business of sandwich cutting at six o'clock m the morning. The stall for fruit and flowers was attended to by Mrs A. Curtis, Mrs Trevor, Miss Traumann, Miss Hardy, and Miss Violet Purnell, and it whs pleasing to note that they were fully employed. The work stall yielded a satisfactory return under the management of Mesdames Bullock, Quane, and Percy Gox with several young lady helpers. The merry-go-round ' was provided by Mr ff . Feri'iman, arid, with tlie children's swings, were erected by Messrs T. and J. Hunt- Mr Rees was a sort of general superintendent of the games and was busy all day, but special mention has to be made of Mr W. VV. Smith, aud Mr Fred Savilk'j who, devoted a whole day's time each m doing what tljey gould to make the gathering a success. Specially useful were both these gentlemen m helping the children to enjoy themselves. Mr Edgar Buchanan, too, was good enough to do a deal of work m connection with preparations for the gathering. But while mention of all these is due, and we make it gladly, we must pay the lvghest tribute Ito the incumbent, Key E. A. Scott, and his good lady, for the work they both did m connection with the gathering m fact Mrs Scott was the life and soul of the whole tiling. ' ■ fhe Punch and Judy show was run by Mr Windsor, of Rafe'ajia, and wss a Source of great amusement to the young folks. The shopkeepers m town were very liberal, and nearly every one was good enough to send a parcel for the fair. The gathering closed at nine o'clock.