GARDEN FETE AT HUTT

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 31, 31 October 1932, Page 4

GARDEN FETE AT HUTT

Benefit for St. James’s Church

There was a very large attendance at “Rangiaho,” the delightful residence of Mr. and Mrs. N. B. Gibbons, Lower Hutt, on Saturday afternoon, when a garden fete was held in aid of St. James’s Church funds.

The fete was officially opened by the Rev. H. E. K. Fry, vicar-elcct of the Hutt parish.

The Ven. Archdeacon Hansell, before introducing Mr. Fry, warmly thanked Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons for so generously lending "Rangiaho” and those who had worked so strenuously in preparation for the fete. He also thanked Mr. Davies, who had suggested that Epum, Taita, and Belmont share the responsibility of the fete with the Hutt parishioners, also Mrs. Gibbons and Mrs. Gower, who had organised the fete. Mr. Hansell then said it gave him great pleasure to introduce the vicarelect and Mrs. Fry to their future parishioners, and asked Mr. Fry to declare the fete open. Mr. Fry expressed his pleasure at beiug present, and meeting for the first time many of his future parishioners. He said he felt it a great honour and responsibility to be called to work in such an important parish as Hutt. He then declared the fete open. Two tiny~tots, Juliet Hutchison and Dorothy Baddeley then presented Mrs. Fry, Mrs. Hansell, aud Mrs. Davies with lovely bouquets. Afternoon tea was dispensed on small tables on a side lawn, where gay beach umbrellas created a charming splash of colour. The official party was as follows: — Archdeacon Hansell and Mrs. Hansell, who wore a figured crepe de chine frock in brown and yellow tones, and straw hat in a darker shade of brown; the Rev. H. E. K. Fry, and Mrs. Fry, in a navy blue crepe de chine suit, and

spring straw hat of the same shade; the Rev. Mr. Gerard, and Mrs. Gerard, wearing a black ensemble and black spring straw hat; the Rev. AV. E. Davies, and Mrs. Davies, in a fawn ensemble, with sage green felt hat; Mr. N. B. Gibbons, and Mrs. Gibbons, who wore a suit of spotted chocolate crepe de chine, and wide Bangkok straw of the same shade, and Mrs. Gower in a green ensemble and small green hat. Numerous festive-looking stalls, under their awnings, were dotted about the grounds, and the attractive goods with which they were loaded immediately attracted eager buyers. On the lawn at the back of the house, the various games and competitions were entered into with zest by the young people. The various stalls, with those m charge, were as followlce-cream stall, Mrs. F. Livingstone and Miss B. Owen; fancy and produce stall, Belmont’s contribution: Mesdames L. Smith? L. Foster, A. Payue, A. Bryant, A. Stratton, R. Cowie, and Miss T. Dawson; these ladies also ran competitions for live ducks, a cake, a cushion, and bags of coal. Sweet stall: Miss N. Sealy and St. James Bible Class girls; fancy and plain sewing stall: Convener, Mrs. Halcombe, assisted by Mesdames E. Fuge, C. R. Barnicoat, A. E. Werry, P. Russell, R. Marshall, and Miss M. Holcombe; oddments stall: Mrs. H. G. Gordon and Miss E. Robinson; produce stall: Mesdames O. B. Robinson, A. J. Nichol, and K. Barker; tea-room committee: Convener, Mrs. A. S. Kempthorne. and. Mesdames R. E. House, H. Ward, F. D. Strombom, J. H. Sherwin, F. B. Bolt. Jollands, G. Aldous, Bertinshaw, and Misses J. Aldous, M. Jollands, McMillan (3), aud Jones (3); cake stall: Mesdames AV. P. Phillips, AV. H. Barker. Hardcastle, E. Goodman, and AVallace; flower and plant stall : Mrs. Reid, Mrs. Hyder, and Mrs. A'ickery, and Misses A. Barber, IS. AVerry, and some small girls; stall of produce from Taita: Mrs. McArthur, and Miss P. Wallers; Epuni stall: Mrs. Barber and Mrs. Nicholls. Mr. Kempthorne was in charge of the competitions, and assisting him were Messrs. W. Smith, Footer, F. D. Strombom, R. G. House, Dobson, Jones, and a number of boys. Pony rides were very popular with the little folk, who were piloted by Mr. AV. Phillips, assisted by John Phillips and Alf. Gibbons.

A very charming episode was the “Grand Parade,” which wended its way along the drive to the front of the house. Headed by Anglican Boys’

Home cubs, a procession of dainty little people in fancy costume brought up the rear. The judges, Mrs. AV. B. Rainey and Miss Bunny awarded prizes as follow : First prize, “Old Gold Chocolate,” (Eileen Wyatt) ; flrsc prize, “The Lawn,” (Norrie Taylor); first poster prize, under 4. years, Graham Davies; most original, “Registered Letter,” (Ngaire Peck) ; second prize, “Fairy,” (Adrian Hyder); “Winter Sports,” Betty and Audrey Sidgett, Trevor aud Maurine Jenkinson. Mrs. Gibbons presented the prizes.

The Hutt Municipal Silver Band, which was stationed on the front lawn, played selections during the afternoon, and here, too, the Anglican Boys’ Home cubs played Maori stick and other games and sang cheerfully. A very pleasing interlude was the presentation of a medal to Cub-Master Hoggard. Mr. It. Henderson, in making the presentation on behalf of the Scout Dominion headquarters, said that he did so in recognition of Mrs. Hoggard’s faithful and efficient service for the last five years, and stated that it was not a valedictory presentation, for he hoped Mrs. Hoggard would continue in the work for many more years. Mrs. Hoggard suitably acknowledged the presentation.

Garden-lovers who were present spent a delightful time viewing theluxuriant azaleas and rhododendrons and gay flower beds, and the view of hill, valley, and distant mountains from the extensive grounds was ons not easily to be forgotten.