THE FLORAL FETE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 276, 27 November 1897, Page 4

THE FLORAL FETE.

FUN AND FLOWERS AT

ELLERSLIE,

It would be hard to define the charm of a Floral Fete, or point to the reason o{ its never-failing success. Perhaps it j« the love of colour, that comm onest an( j simplest of emotions, which draws the crowd to a gathering of all that is picturesque. No doubt it is this feature which appeals to the fair sex, for whom the Fete seems to present a particular attraction. It is the ladies who hit upon "such a sweet idea" for transforming the great unsightly waggon into a thing of beauty and a joy, if not for ever, at least for the best part of a clay. Fair hands pluck the flowers by means of which the great idea is woven into shape for the admiring public to gaze upon, and it is the fair ones who sit up past " the mystic hour of twelve" at night to decorate, while the lord of creation slumbers in serene unconsciousness of his duty as a man and a brother. When you come to think of it, there is a, distinct femininity about the charm of a floral fete. Perhaps that is the reason of its popularity. However that be the fact remains, in spite, of what the grumblers may say—and there are those who always raii at "the silly sentimentality and the waste of-flowers"—that the floral fete is one of the prettiest sights, one of the most novel functions, and one ..of Jhe gayest crowds that an Aucklander ever has the privilege of admiring. To-day's Fete, as everybody knows, .-.is not the first of its kind held here. It is no weak callow fledgling, unable to look after itself; it is full-grown and vigorous, embodying in its reincarnation the experience of two former existences. It was only, tc be expected therefore that this, the third of the Floral Fetes, would be the most successful.

To the Ladies' Committee of the Auck« land Benevolent Society is due the lion's' share of the praise for this year's success. The ladies who have worked so well and sc! continuously ai-e Mrs Nelson (President), Mesdames Cowie, Haines, Alexander) Goodall, Moss Davis, Alfred Nathan, Pritt, Hugh Campbell, McKean, Scott West, Kinder, Dawes, Stevens, Edge> cumbe ; hon. secretary, Miss. Lundon. In addition to these invaluable aid has lent by Messrs F. F. Ewington, W. Thorne ( W. J. P. Gaudin, C. C MacMillan, Hon. Colonel Haultain, Rev. Canon Nelson and others. Last, and a good deal more than least, came the gallant assistance of the "Clerk of the Weather,1' without which all else were vain. The day has indeed been an ideal one for the fete. It evidently decided not to fool away its chances in unnecessary rain. Its predecessor of 1896 had set a high standard (the 1895 day was a'' bad lot" and behaved shamefully), but it rose to the occasion nobly, and in the matter of sunny skies, balmy breezes, and other things, was all that could be desired. The fair decorators were early astir this morning, anxiously taking note of weather and—no, not wind, for a girl never knows which way the wind's blowing. As though to reward their labours, the sun shone brightly, land filled the feminine heart with gladness, and the work of decorating went ok at high pressure. ' SCENE ON THE GROUND. The kiosk girls and ladies were first to put in an appearance at the Racecourse this morning, and by halfpast nine numbers were hard at work draping the tents with bunting, ferns and flowers, and setting up the tables behind which they were going to dispense "the cup that cheers " in the afternoon, .and charm the nimble pennies; .from -the. pockets of impressionable admirers of the other sex. By and bye half-decorated vehicles began to arrive, half-filled, >yjs flowers, ferns, and nikau, and soon round each a bevy of busy workers was adding the finishing touches, and evolving order and symmetry out of a chaos of flowers. The beautiful expanse of turf was looking its very best, and the rich green contraste prettily with the white canvas of the kiosk tents, which stretched in a long line facing the grandstand. The ground arrangements were admirable. Every class of competitors had a separate space marked oil'for them, and so the confusion whicb: was only too prominent in earlier fetes - was here conspicuous by its absence. The officials had a hard day's work before them, marshalling, arranging, flitting hither and thither throughout the long day, and the restless energy of the ladies calls for cont mendation. Those self- sacrificing one? who bore without a murmur the heat and burden of" the day were the Executive Committee, Mesdames Nelson, Pritt t Haines, Dawes, Goodall, Alfred Nathan, McKean, and Messrs W. Percival and Dr. iSharman ; the clerk of the course, Mr J. W. Selby ; the marshal of ceremonies, Mr W. Percival, assisted by the Polo Club, and the mounted ground stewards, Messrs Selby, Goldsbro'and Gordon. In the afternoon the judges went through their arduous task with impartiality and precision in a manner that gave every satisfaction.

A party of four seamen from H. M.s. Torch ; rendered valuable assistance to the Ladies Committee both yesterday and this morning in connection with the work of decoration. A number of flags lent by tlie Captain of the Torch added to the brilliancy of the display. The various stations on the route to Ellerslie were each more or less decorated with Moral emblems. At the Auckland Station a number of garlands adorned the front, while Remuera and Green Lane Stations .also were decorated. A large number of the engines which came to town jin the morning were also covered with flowers;, the efiect beinpr pretty. During the day one feature of special interest was the' May Pole dance, which ! was repeated several times on the green in> front of the stewards1 stand by a number of Ponsonby girls, under the charge of Mrs Osmond, in. a manner creditable to allconcerned. Things wore a brighter aspect in the afternoon, when the crowds arrived, ana all the exhibits. As before, the onlookers were a feature in themselves. Train after train, all gaily decked, arrived from town in quick succession, each with a full l°ad of pleasure-seekers in white and all tW colours of the rainbow. Everyone had an anticipatory look about them, as though ■ prepared to make the most of their one golden day among the flowers, *■£*. lucky ones, who had a "day oit^ came .in the cool of the morning.' less favoured mortals arrived by the afternoon trains, and these were far more numerous than the morning trippers. Vur ing the afternoon Lord Hampden and party visited the fete. By three o'clock, all was brightness and gaiety. The great expanse of turf was covered with vehicles of all de" scriptions.'all beautiful with flowers-ana full of gay and giggling girls. The huge vans were being drawn about the new oj horses whose heavy weight of flowers ana garlands had reduced them to a state os soul-crushed submission, and the ""Yf1 in their gorgeous raiments sat very still fear of something giving way. Lawns an enclosures were full of people walking up and down, and in and out of the kiosks. Everywhere there was sunshine and happiness. THE EXHIBITS. Among children's pets, MissM. FaultierJubilee lamb, decorated in red, white ana blue, was most effective. It was mucli aamired. f Master Noble Faulder exhibited acau with pet goat in the shafts. The wyj. favourite was decorated with ivy leaves and geraniums. In children's pets Flora Robinson exhibited a little dog gaily decorated. i°

led him with a stream of various Sg^bSwis and whip to match. AStr°BOUND THE KIOSKS • nterest. A most important work ' /feedin"'the multitude, and those »siliafc Timbered the unseemly scramble at & T 1 Tvear felt inclined to bless the tlif{et6 f nretty things in costume who «eV!CS t tea 'and cake to those who hand Sand were athirst. The kiosk girl WfSiSive feature of the fete, not to be l;\Xiththe giddy chatterers in the vans (1f ftonefctes. Tins gM means busi- '"■ Thereisapurpose lurking behind the tESS' p S s of her smiles, and woe betide "'fiklessindividual who comes within 1h of those bewitching- glances. She '*i Miniure the last sixpence out of his i t Li make him eat sweetstnff that fialtlie faintest wish for. The unI ,Spd young man fell an easy prey to l; tote f les of the kiosk maids. No use for •to weakly protest that already he had this little all in lollipops and things: f defence was waved aside without a L If you were '' stoney " and could ftoiler precious cakes the kiosk girl i fix you with a scornful disbelieving Tsotbat you were glad to slink round 'corner out of sight. Small wonder, in that the kiosks did a heavy trade i IVh the long afternoon. There were II eleven to eighteen kiosk girls at every ]}{■ "they went on duty in lots of six „„•' half hour or so, that is, when they mild'be' found. ' . ' Undoubtedly the most artistic and 'thai unique of all the kiosks was the Ljananese Chaya. This was designed tjlr Harry H. Keesing, and the result elective, all the materials used ™its construction being suggestive of the Uof the chrysanthemum. The frame Mfkwas of bamboo, and the roof consisted »j striped matting. The sides were comr^i of parti-coloured bead and bamboo Mi emoellisbed with Japanese fans and mtaellas, while all around were hunghand0t lanterns and many of those wonderful nations called Japanese dolls. Here and litre evergreens were hung, which added ijtte general good effect. In front of the ftaya. 55 tat slightly to each side, were fill's covered with gigantic umbrellas, jjmrliich were dispensed during the day ii cailv attired Musimos various kinds i; refreshments. In the Chaya itself a «/A business was clone in the sale of f Ispanese fans, umbrellas and various toys. ife Chaya was under the charge of fciames Leo Myers and lngall and thirls Musimos r and was one of the most inactive exhibits on the ground. The floral New Zealand stall under the toby Stand presented a pretty appearance, king decorated with considerable taste rith flowers and evergreens, together with lice display of bunting. The front of the stall was wreathed with lilies and ivy lines. This stall was under the care of fc McKean, who was assisted by Misses food (2), Cooper (2), C4abb, Lucy Bell, tot, and others. The next stall to this recalled Young England. This also was isolated with flowers and evergreens, and saaderable taste had been displayed in iewrk. Both these stalls dispensed regiments during the day, and did good mesh. He kiosk for the dispensing of strawsriesand cream was situated at the end ilietrack in front of the Derby Stand, cdwas under the charge of Mrs J. L. %>n. A toffee kiosk under the charge tMame Moore-Jones and her pupils replaced at the end of the line opposite stewards' Stand. It is almost needless nil that both stalls did a roaring busier

1 itlie.long tent in front of the Steward ■^iffiia chapter of. Dickens has come to •|j,bl Dolly Varden and her girl comIssacan be seen presiding at the tea■vl^ajretty and vivacious as ever, re-in-wL by the enterprising ladies of I Poismli). Very pretty the tent looks i iriii its mass of greenery andl strings of ■i| fe, and the quaint costumes of the ■"jfcir attendants make the scene a novel -y j Eil most striking one. The Dolly Varden Janets are distinctly fetching, and those kit eyes looking np at you from inside tea will certainly charm your last six- ;■■■' psout of your purse if once you get range. -The "Dolly Varden" j:jH for originality and piquancy of [dj &i, is one of the best of the bunch. I Ike Cingalese kiosk, presided over by |. Eafton Road ladies, has a wealth of | fatal colour and brilliancy. Here is a | teylit of Ceylon reproduced to the life, i| ftevery detail, and the result is charming I i die extreme. The fair Hebes, who 1 pleat the counters, are robed in flowery '■ eperies of white, and each pretty face is § Ma delicate shade of brovv m. >i!J Won ladies have a long tent half-way \ "j* W the line of kiosks, in which the at-! , "its are garbed as European peasants. /;, l:- tent is decorated with ferns and piety and long strings of roses are j 'Vwound the front:-, while little banners '■•;' at every corner. The bright and | '« costumes form a pleasing bit of - "'Mr, and the impressionable customers | K«apnttoitto decide to which fair! I '^ant tnev will give their patronage. q ,|*Kemnera ladies' idea of an "up-to-ilc's' kiosk is decidedly attractive, and a F««rlittle refreshment stall it would be i to imagine. The tent is one of the ii, 11 ™variety, open to the breeze most of i round, and every post hidden by a *•<*ferns and foliage. . t lhe"'Vanity Fair" kiosk, belonging to \ Tobacco Company from New otk(represented by Mr C." B. 'Russell), is * most central position, the tent being jA" 3-, In accordance with the name of ■mi cigarettes, the interior is fitter! up JWwanner, the colours of black and Jj ff Ming prominent. In one portion lrtr leJ e' lt isa cosy nook and counter ,j 7* are suspended long streams of tan i nU blue ancMloral emblems, M of black and yellow flowers. i t'iv !?stati°ned a number of ladies with I jjf if? p Hubbard style of hat disposing 8(! ft! ware«- In another portion P W]yl nt are a number of floral umiWf )vreafclls> garlands, hats and M Wdn competition. Miss Speight of Hfylf Inompson, Nelson, and Howard uSm ? ed the Vanity Fair cigarettes M^aZ? ab?uton bicycles decorated with il > , coloursS ye not done with the Jubilee yet. :*I LIT i nents are always cropping up in I lw^,, corn erß, and a very charming I K » i is the Parnell' "Jubilee I Hti tent w pitched round to the I fei™ 6grandstand, and over the doorII If a huge "V.R." and Royal I 'lH , v^"^^of colour is worked out c and l)1 «c, and tri-colour ; Jj j]V !.f orate the fair attendants. The I K^IT n, des ervedly the centre of a I '%o n a' lmirin o crowd during the I 'i P5 c iCls of aU tlie ?°°ds sold at the I i: «!eLy; ,V vere donated to the funds 1 ShhTv S Venevolent Society. In the ' Cll 1 y Fair kiosk > the manager, toStaLr 80 Save the proceeds of SooCl rto the funds of'the Society. I a^aify.Kx nese chaya were ! Br THE procession. ! S tro!fv Sif Was lieaded b Y a four- ' W,» 6Corat. ed wifcll liHies and I ' U' e "lounle,! tended ««• Guinea ■ irßsentl(i n , V ln a uiuniny horse to i ?**-immffi. W val .' and aronnd him I : of boys and others i }%h OntL, beln S ar»od with 1 S^ons t?- lea.ders were boys as 1 S^Ctonn! ? X! libit Avas a good one, I*i ««»110 being responsible for the iKI?; gedto further de- : aaudthe awards till Monday.]