THE FLORAL FETE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 284, 30 November 1896, Page 4

THE FLORAL FETE.

SATURDAY'S FLOWER CARNIVAL.

THE SPECTACLE AT ELLERSLIB.

AN UNPRECEDENTED GATHERING,

Both from an artistic and a financial point of view, the socond floral fate of the Ladies' Benevolent tSociety held on the Ellerslio Racecourse on Saturday was an unexampled success, and tha immense attendance far exceeded anticipations. It is true that there wera numerous defecfcß in the arraDgemente, but these were only1 to be expected in view of the great numbers present, and no doubb the promoters will profit by the experience of Saturday whan the time comes round for Auckland's third carnival of flovrers. Thanks to the splendid weather which pro vailed, the fete did nob end in. the confusion of last year's gathering, and the transport arrangements were on fcha whole satisfactory, the raihyay authorities especially having made careful and mosb complete preparations for conveying the many thousands of spectators to and from the city. So well, indeed, did the P-aiiway Department manage their part of the day's work that) by half past six o'clock in the evening tho whole of tbe vast crowd had been removed from tha racecourse, the last train leaving ab that hour with the remaining spectatoro. The arraagements ab both tho Auckland and the racecouree platforms wore m careful, too, that no confusion prevailed, and no one oub of the many thousands ot trave!'.6r9 by rail was injured. Not only the Railway Deparbmenb, bub all proprietors of 'buses, caba, and brakes did a roaring traffic during the day, and the road from the racecourse to Auckland in the evening was tilled with an endless stream of vehicles of every poseibla description, from four-horee brakes and 'buaes to tho unpretentious spring carfc and expressman's cart.

The attendance at the Ellorelie racecourse during Saturday afternoon was an unprecedented one, and was certainly more than double as large as tho greatest assemblage yob seen on the Auckland Racing Clab'a grounds. The number of visitors to the fete must have been close on 20,000 people. About 14,500 tickets ware sold at the Auckland and subnrban railway stations, including children's tickets. In addition to this, savoral thousands of people journeyed out by road, and the cash receipts on the ground, including admission to the ground, another charge foradtnission to thegrandstand, and closeon £100tp,kon«cthe retreshmentrooms, totalled about £500. The Society receive 9d clear onb of every Is 6d ticket sold afc the railway stations, so that;, aggregating all the receipts, the Auckland Ladies' Benevolent Society should profit by the feto to the extent of cloae on £1,000, after defraying all expensee. In addition to thic, tha Government subsidy ia to be reckoned on, an they give a subsidy of £1 2* 6d for every £1 collected by the Society. Thus the Society will have a very handsome bank balance with which to carry out their relief work amongst tb9 poor of the city.

In regard to the detail* ol the fete, there wera some defects to which we think tha attention of the committeo of promoter* should ba called, in order tbat the next carnival of flowers, which we hops will bo an even greater success, will be in every way a satisfactory affair from the general public's point of view. Great complaints were made of tho very inadequate provision msde for luncheon and afbernooa refreshments, which was certainly moot v-n----satisfactory. Tha Sow lady workers present being naturally quite incapable of supplying the thousand* of people wbo vrero in a hurry for something to eat and drink. It would have been far better if the Society had sold the right of refreshments to some Auckland caterer, who would have gone about tho vrork ia a business-like mannar. Another matter which created much dissatisfaction amongst visitors was tho holding of Borne of the most! attractive events, such as tho children's procession and tho musical bicycle rid©, on the lawn, immediately in frond of the grandstand, instead of on the course proper, whore everyone could have witnessed them. As an extra charge was made for admission to the lawn and the stand, it- eeeuifid hardly fair to debar the groat bulk of the visitors from seeing these attractive events.

THE SCENE ON THE COURSE

When we wont to press on Saturday afternoon precessions of spectators were skill pouring into the racecourse grounds, and by hfi!f-pa?b two o'clock tho grand stand was packed from bottom to top with people, tho lawn and stand enclosures were crowded, aud there wore thousands of spectators of all ages, sizes and conditions crowdiag tho course. The ecene was the gayest, and moat animated yot witnessed at any out-door gathering in Auckland, and the floral exhibitions and the briuhb dresses of the ' ladios imparted to the spectacle a liveliness of colour which will be long remembered. All the colours of the rainbow, and many hues which the rainbow does nob boa&t, wero to be aaen in bhe scores of beautiful exhibits on view. The ilowera most favoured in decoration appeared to be roses of all colours, marigolds, red geranium?, ivy geranium?, daisies, buttercups and poppies, bufi she choicer flowers of the hothouse wero not panting, and ferns and beautiful native foliage added in a high degree to tho artistic excellence of many features in the show. The " laafy buds and flowery bells" of the " fairypoopleil world of flowers," combined with the daintiest of forna oad greenest; of indigenous foliage, and as well as much that was nob native flora, gave the scone, in the grand procession most markedly, a gaidon-lika efteeb, whi&h ib ia a thousand pities the photographer's art; cannob reproduce in colours. Even the animals which drew the mauy vehicles wore half-buried in flowers, a»d at every step along fcho line one might have quoted Oberon's lineß in the " Midsummer Ni^hfc's Dream,"

•' For abe his hairy temples then had rounded, With coronet of fresh and fragrant flswers;" for tbo Titauiaa in tho airiest of eummor ' raiment had crowned their equine friencia with such '.vreathß as would perhaps have turned the heads of tho four • footed exhibits, had they bub appreciated the attention that was being bestowed on their appearance. Nor were the tlorai adornments confined to the horses, for donkeys, doge, and children's pets of all kinds were j liberally decorated wherever flowers could \ bo affixed to their trappings. Decorated goats, lambs, black sheep, a little dear, a monkey, and even an extremely docile cluck, which seemed overpowered by ita floral responsibilities, were to be seen thus beautified. THE PROCESSION.

Tho grand procession of exhibits, which took placo about; three o'clock, was the principal sighs of the day. The procesiion passed and repaeeed several times on the cour*o in front of the etand, and was a really pretty spectacle and a revelation to many visitors, who could hardly have imagined Nature's generosity to Auckland in tho matter of flowers without seeing this display. The vehielea to which prizes had been awarded occupied tha leading positions, but many of the others were co good that it must! havo been a hard task to decide the winner in some of the classes. Probably the native whare and group on a trolly carried oft the palm in the opinion of a aroab many spectators as the most unique and creditable exhibit on tho ground. A Maori wharo of nikau leaves WO3 the principal feature on the trolly, and surrounded by ferns, native foliage, and by a cabbage-palm tree and a

nifcau, it formed a character!*!,; n .W scene, which was heightened by the r .T excellent get-up of the occ«J wfcl S T made very good imitation Maori* Znt their appropriate costumes of mat! Sr while several carried the Maori »L. ' known as the taiuA«. Tho front of wbare was adorned in proper mJinL*«or« fashion, with red S w ft the aboriginal effect was complex k'v tk presence in the trolly of « •• Ganfc • Cook " porker, who squealed intermitS* in the moab approved Maori pig , t -, y Following close on this exhibit (which w. from the Graf ton district) was anoth equally creditable in ita way. This» w»« trolly entered by Mr Peeb, Poasoaby Lono! of the Ancienb Order of Druids, „$: represented an ancionb Druidioal eceil On the trolly, drawn by foar horsei, wers seated, under a spreading oak tree, a'eron ot Druidica! prie«te in the regalia ot their office, one, tha harper, being stated «t hii harp, while closa beside them was a rer>re sontation of the Stonehenge trilUhon. Oafel riders in appropriate costume bestrode tbe horses, sad in other respect* the Druidical scene wes a well . d»! signed one. Next in point of g9» e J effect came the pretty harvaitinc waggons, with their bevies of laughing girls, tha decorated dog cart*, whiob in eluded many Tory artistic entries, the oiJ pony trapß, ladies and gentlemen oil decorated bicycles, lady and gentlemnß equesbriaas, girls' and boys' ponies, » n <U number of other exhibits, many of which evidenced considerable novelty and artiati? conception. The ex-Mayor, Mr J j Holland, and a party of friends occupied % conspicuous position in a prettily decorited carriage, which was not, however, on exhibition. By no means the least prominent figure in bho procession was thtverorgreen Monsignor Walter MacDonaldyef Pantnure. " There's Father Walter!" was the cry ij the popular prototype of the Irish 11 Soggarch Aroon " whose name is ktnly A household word in Auckland, rodeontotha course attended by hia jurenilo mounted escoro from the Tamaki. Father Walter lets no large gathering; in ths ticinityol Auckland pass witheub paying itanih and the genial priest was busily engaged whan ha remained on the ground ia return* ing the salutations of bis numerous friends, The members of tbe Auckland Polo Club did good servics, together with Mr Perciral and Mr Selby, in arranging matters in coaEjection with the procession and keepieg the course clear, ami through their etiorti moat of the spectators enjoyed • good View of the flowery pageant. Some Yisiton considered that lass year's display watintone respects superior to this one, bok, tiken generally, and considering tbe increase!! number of entries, there must hate baen on the whole an improvement in the 1896 floral fete.

The procession ef children's exkibits, gocarsa, and children's pets, which took place subsequently in the stand encloiure, wsu very pretty sighfc, the little oa«i and their vehicles and pets being really beautifully decorated. The musical bicycle ride, in. which a large number of lady and gentlemen cyclists took part, also attracted much attention, but being held oa the lawn i great numbsrof people were unable to sot it, The rest of the afternoon wag devoid of any special attractions, excepting tits despatch of a largo flight of homing pigeons, which were released by Messrs Fricktr, Toirier, Grainger, Chilcott, Trussell, Howey, Eoam, Tewsley, Hyauiason, Thomai, and . Chapman, and which made • pretty »ight aa they circled round and round high overhead bofore making a straight coutss forborne. A couple of fire balloona vrera aUo sent up during the af fceraoon,. baS after thii the time dragged elowly.for thoia who did nob rush otx' to catch their trains«r other coaveyaßces. No doubt the Committee will see the desirability of providing at future fetes of the.ljmd .jack attractions in the form of " gidQ'Wffi »• will keep the attention of the ipectato;i occupied the whole of the afternoon sod,ip obviate the complaint of riulttWO wbicb was frequently made at Saturday's choir. After the processions had been Been thi spectators commenced to leave.- for home, and although a great number remaiaad on the ground till sir o'clock, axonsunt procession of men, women, and _childrsa filled up the read leading from the course to the railway platform for tiro or three houre. The spectacle of the.streapi of passengers and the unusually largo train) was a eight) unequalled at> any gathering., yet held at Ellerslie, bu6 the.! greatwal orderliness prevailed, and the services of tha large atari' of police present were not onct called icto active requisition. THE JUDGING. The following acted as judges .of th» various exhibits :—For brake or four-how* passenger waggon, two and one-hotte carriages, waggonettes, tandems, donkey bandems, dogcarts, and gigs, Mrs Templar, Messrs K. Watkin, Josiah Martin, F. Williamson ; for ponies with traps, trollies, waggons or vans, draught horeei, spring cans, milk carts or floats, coster cartoi, trollies with devices, and fire anginas, Mesdimes H. Nolun, A. Kerr-Taylor, Messrs Perrett, Baker and I. Alexander; for equestrians and equestrienaea, girls wfj boys, and polo ponies, Mesdames Scottsna Batiks, Sig. Nerli, Messrs Mackay, Fripp aud Bruford ; for goat and dogs' cribs, gentlemen's, and ladies' a«d tandeuj bicycles and tricycles, Mn Groonwiy, MiM : Tole, HerrVennarmark.andMrJ. W-.Tibbi; for go-carfes, perambulators, wheelbarrow, ; milk dandies, and original conveyances, etc., Mrs Bush, Miss Home, aad the SwE. W. Gillam ; fer children's pete, decorated front) ot booth, garlands, wreath', table and bridal bouquets, Meedanea J. bl Macdonald, VV. Beatty, Messrs tT. Oathvraite, and McKinney ; for umbrellas, etc.. lady's hafc, table docorationi, costume and fancy group, and spscial classes, MreH. »• Morton, Misses Keesing, I«a Oothw«i»s for lato exhibits, etc, Mesdaaes Beatty, Groenway, Goorlhue. ond Mes«ri ■>■*'• Tibba and IVipp ; for cooking, »>». Millington and Mr D. Nairn. Mr a. *> .Morton was steward of judges.

SOME OF THE EXHIBITS. Amengst the " exhibits " which attracted much attention wai a group of Satnwn girle, atliired appropriately in their "»"'• costume of tapjM. Another exhibitor «» manifested originality in his get-up "»' youthful equestrian, who wore • coat »aoo entirely of the large laurel-like !■•»•■ •* »J----kavaka, sewed together so «a to form »»01 of coat of mail. . . Those who took parb in tie B"11?*, bicjele ride were tbo following lady •»« gentlemen cyclists : Misies Fierce, beneru, Howard, Marriner, Opilvio, Purckai l«» Lewis, Fenwick, Peacock, Pwey»oW« «» Mrs Marriner, Messrs Robertw, Gordon, Upton, WaHsbrough, Reynolds, Thomp6o"' Henton, Peacock, Palmer, AuUtbrook »»* Goldis.

THE DECORATED TEHICU& fc Amongst the decorated vehicles y* deserve'raoation. Mr. J. B»ere # »tt» young ladies of G»fton Road obtained « prize in the class " brakes or 4-her»epa»« ger waggons." This exhibit! w»» * .^ artistic representation of " Arcadia. correctly costumed ehepherdenes . " Little Boys Blue," the former wrrynj crooks adorned with flowers. The ewe* very handsome, and besides S9" l"jj a( j» firsto priza the exhibib was also i awar (j special prize for grouping. Mlß', 6 ,, Molmerly waegon was sacoso, ana _ g excellent representation of a h. Brr<?° c of Tho Moanb Albert exhibit, n ««'*„ 6 Mrs Wilkes, got third prize. "^ pretty rspreaentation of a yacht. «»• wh jj e colours bdog red, and j,M«ed'D the young lady occupants were a"» Jkf . appropriate yachting cOßtuaiW>,: t j,, Grafton Eoad youn? ladia*, direction of Miss Wylde-Browa^cjf the champion banner, ben" 8 ffl prize ia its class.