THE FLORAL FETE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 305, 23 December 1896, Page 6

THE FLORAL FETE.

When a little over a year ago come Auckland ladies firsb conceived tbe idea of holding a floral f6te in bhis city, after tbe fashion of flower carnivals In the south of France, and later on in England, they hardly imagined, we think, thab tho second floral gathering here would have been such a successful and beautiful spectacle as to day's fete at Eller.lie. Even last year the fSfce, although the first of it. kind in Auckland, and though spoilc by rain in the afternoon was a charming scene of floral beauty, but the second spectacle on Nov. 28 on the Ellerslie Racecourse, in point of the number of exhibits, bhe individual entries and the tout ensemble, as soon from the grandstand, far surpassed tho expectations of the original promoters. '.For aotne time past tho ladies of the Auckland Benevolent Society, under whoso auepices and in aid ot whose funds the fete is held, had been very busily engaged in working up the exhibition, and the eardens in Auckland and suburbs were ransacked foi- flower* wherewith to make garlands, wreaths, and the bhousand and one forma of floral decoration necessary for the adornment of vehicles, horses, and other exbibib.. The use of the racecourse had been secured for the day, and a more Buibablo spot for the spectacle it would have beon hard to find.

The floral fSbe was arranged for and carried out by tbe following Executive Committee :—Mesdames Nelson, Goodall, Pritt, Alexander, McKean, Dawes, Messrs H. B. Morton, W. Percival, Dr. Sharman. Tho Marshall of Ceromonies was Mr W. Percival (assisted by members of the Polo Club; Tho Clerk of Coursn,was Mr J. W. Selby; the judges wero Mr H. B. Morbon (Steward), Meadamea Greenway, Templer, H. Nolan, Kerr-Taylor, Scobt, Banks, Tol6. McDonald, Boattey, Cheeseman, Bush, H. B. Morton, Misaea Home, Oubhwuibo, Koesing, Milne, Messrs K. Watkins, F. Williamson, Farrobb, Bauer, i. Alexander, J. W. Tibbs, Tripp, Bruford, Siguor Nerli, VV right, T, Cheeseman, Rev, W. Gillam, Messrs McKinney, C. F. Vonnermark and J. Martin. Tho cooking judges were Miaa Millington nnd Mr D. Nairn, and bhe Secretary lor entries, etc., was Mr P. R Dix.

Tho features in the day's exhibition, after bhejudf-QB had gono their mumis. were a children's procession and a grand procossion of exhibits. In addition also there were during the afternoon a musical bicycle ride, a Uighc of 500 homintr pigeons, a bicyclo piocesfion, and the concluded with a grand battle of flowers.

Tho animation and floral profusion which characterised tho scene on the Ellerslie course and in the vicinity of tho grand stand from eleven o'clock this morning onwards could hardly be ima ined unloss it were actually witnessed. The timo for ! judging lo commence had bson fixed for half-past twolvo, bub long before that hour numbers of lavishly decorated vehicles of'every description with bheir crowds of occupant- poured into the cour.o entrance, or put tho completing touches to their flower brappings behind the stand, prior to emerging into public view ab the judging pouts. Tho attendance even in the forenoon numbered a couplo of thousand, but this gives no idoa of the numbers present later on, as overy train from Auckland for eoveral hundreds of spectuLors to tho Kilerslie flower garrion, thero boing iv all uome 15,000 visitors to the great leto. PRIZE LIST. Tho prize Hist was as follows:— Children's Pete. — Under this heading were a number of exhibits, 21 in all, which attracted universal notice. Mr IF, li. Gillies showed a tiny tortoise, which wa. drawn in a miniature go-car. by a handsomely attired boy. Misa Acroyd's fancy was a duck, while other exhibitors allowed j a block sheop, lamb, deer, and many pet i dogs'. Master A Wigmore had a decorated , monkey in a little gooart. The awards i in this class were hs follows :— | Master A. Wigmore, 1; Mr H. D. Glilies, . 2. Miss E. W. Davis and Mis* Emily i U'alli. tiod for third piace. Mi*s N. | VVulkor was highly commonded. Master Menzies commonded. Benb Wreath.—Mins L. Wakeham, 1. Bent Garland.—Miss G. Wosbwood, 1. Decorated Front of Booth. — Miss Goodull secured that prize, Mies Ruby Laird second. j Table Bouquet The exhibits in this I class wero veiy good. Miss L. Gregory! socured Ist prize, Miss Bents Smith 2nd. Brid.il Bouquet. — Miss Ormiston, j Smith, I ; Miss L. Wakeham, 2: Miss L. j Gregory, 3; Miss S. Drinkwater, com-j mended. I Go carts.—Mi.s F- E. Bell, 1 ; Mra Goddoi", 2 ; Mrs A. E. Purchas, 3. Porumbuliitor with Baby. — Mrs Carlaw Is Mrs L. Hall. 2; Mra T. Fraeer, 3. The pri?a winner was tastefully decornted with field daeies, the cro*s, anchor and heart boing pricked oub with forgot-me-nots. Wheelbarrow. — Orphan Home exhibit w<»« awarded Ist prize. Milk Dandy.—Mr J. T. Banks, Ist and special. Mosb Original Conveyance.—A greab amount of tu.te und originality was shown in this clases. Mrs Davis secured lab prize, Mias Grant 2nd, and Master Noel Er~on 3rd. Brake or Fonr-hnr.o Paßßonger Waggon. —Mr J. Dacre, Grafton, (our horse brake, 1 ; Mel-Meryl, waggon, 2 : Mrs Wilkes, 3. Carriage of Any Kiiid (two horses).— Lndioo of Onehunga, Mrs Rose, 1 ; Mrs Wigmore (two ponies), 2. Carriage Any Kind (one horse).—Mrs E. ' Bamford, 1 ; Miss Korr Taylor, 2. Waggonette.—Mrs Sonde., 1. Tandem.—Mr T. 11. Ward. Dog Cart.— Miss. Torrens, 1; Mrs Colbeck and Mrs Knighb (four-wheel dogcurt), 2; Mr G. Bioomfiold, 3; Mrs Wouchope, honourable mention. Gig.—Miss Mitchol.on. 1 ; Mi?s Otway, 2 ; Mr. Per.ry, special prize for decorations purely native. Trolly.—Grafton dintricb, 1. Waggon or Van.—Grafton young ladies (wuggon), 1 and champion banner; bho little gleaners of All Saints', 2, Mi.s Hewin 3, A. L. Rhodes, special prize, Draughb Horses.—Misa Ware, 1. Spring Cart. —W. S. Whitley, 1 ; Thurs-1 ton, 2 ; Cantoll, 2. Milk Carb or float.— Mus Goldio, I. Coster Cart.—Misses Home, 1. Trolly with boat or othor device.— Peeb (Ponsonby Lodge of Druids), 1. Fire engine.—Champion (Mounb Eden i Firo Brigade), 1, Lady equestrienne. — Mias Dorothy Ware, 1; Mrs Walker, 2; Miss G. Dowell, 3. Gentleman equestrian. —B, Fordyco, 1; F. Flay, 2. Girl's pony.—Mrs W. R. Bloomfield, 1; Miss Elsie Tylden, 2 ; Mies Ethel Rae, 3. Boy's pony.— H. Ramon, 1; Arthur O. Brown, 2: T. Lewis, 3; Deni.on, very highly commended. Polo pony. —W. R. Bioomfield, 1;E. D. O'Rorke, 2 : C. E. Purchas, 3. Goat cart and dog's cart.—Miss Gubbins (a peb dog cart), 1 ; Mr Faulder, 3. Gentlemen's bicycle.—Robertson, 1 ; H. Foster, 2 ; — Wansbrougb, 3. Ladies' bicycle.—Miss Lewis, 1 ; Mias Scherff, 2 ; Misa Zeahmdia Brown. 3. Tandem bicycle. — Miss ' Barnebb and Mr D. Crozier, 1 ; Mias Croziorand Mr Dexter, 2. Tricycle.—A. Binstead, 1; James Frater, 2. Donkeys.—Master Percy Erson, jaunting car, 1 and specialUmbrella or Parasol,-T-r-Misa Brett, 1 ; Miss Gardiner, 2 ; Mrs T. Russell, 3. Lady's Hat.—Miss K. Keogh, 1; Miss Gardiner 2; Mrs Heather 3.

Best Arranged Table Decorations.—Miss M. Abbott, 1 j Mies E. Fenton, 2 ; Miss Fen ton, 3. Coatume Group.—Mrs Dacre, 1 ; Mrs Winstone, 2. Children's Group (under 10).—Beresford schoolgirls, 1 and special; Miss Hurley, 2. Fancy Group (under 15). —Fancy Group, Daisy Chain by Orphan Home, 1; Beros-ford-street BchoolgirJß,2 ; Beresford-streeb school boys, 3. Special Exhibits.—Miss Bessie Sloane, ivy geranium, 1 and special; Miss Squire, JiDiicksha, 1 ; Mias Squire, Ashford ambulance litter, 1. OOOKEEY EXHIBITS. Cake : Miss Gertrude Tylden, 1; Mias F. Dynes, 2 ; Miss G. Hart, 3 ; Miss E. T. Gorrie, highly commended. Plum cake: Mies M. Pre'ece, 1 ; Miss Ada Potnfret, highly commended. Pound cake : Mrs W. E. b. Mooro, 1 ; Miaa Warner, 2; Miss Franklin, 3. Cheese cake : Miss Fletcher, 1 ; Miss Clarke, 2, Madeira cako : Mrs Hart, 1. Date pastry : Mrs Bush, special prize. Sandwich cake : Mrs Hickson, 1 ; Miss Amy Cook, 2 ; Miss T. Williams, 3; " Tlaeobraroa" (moot de plume), highly commended. Victoria sandwich : Miss May Herrick, 1 ; Miss C. Boardman, 2. Cocoanufc *andwich : Miss L. Ryrie, 1. Banbury cake : Misa R. Baker, 1 ; Miss Bush, 2. Scones : Mra Hale, 1 ; Mies G. Wood, 2; Mrs W. E. B. Moore, 3; Mi.B Taib, highly commended. Lemon Paste : Miss Ei.io Brown, highly commended. Assorted Cake: Miss Ryrio, 2. Jam Puff: Miss L. Young, 1. Oatmeal Scones: Mrs Bueh, highly commended. Lemon Cheese Cakes : Mrs Bush, 1. Napoieon Cake : Mrs Bush, 1. Chocolate Cake : Miss Murray, highly commended. Gravy nuts: Mi.s L. Ryrie, 1. Bread: Miss M. Poiißford, 1. Cocoanut pa*try: Mies L. Gregory, 1. Associated confectionery : Miss 0. Wood, 1; Miss G. Warner, 2; Miss Rathbcme, 3. Gas cooking competition : Miss Beedell, 1 : Miss Thornton, 2 ; Mrs Salmon, 3 ; Miss M. Falls, highly commended.

Harold Winstone obtained first prize for tha most original exhibit, with his Italian boy with organ, and Mrs Winßtone second prize for Italian family in the costume group. Master Samuel Neala obtained (.ocond prize, in tho original exhibit class, as a bugler.