FETE AT FRIMLEY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 33, 2 November 1934, Page 7

FETE AT FRIMLEY

Hastings Plunket Society OVER 800 PRESENT Dominion Special Service. Hastings, November 1. The largest crowd seen in Hastings for many days, apart from show days and race meetings, was drawn to the Plunket fete which took place yesterday in the beautiful gardens at Frimley House, two miles from Hastings. Miss Elsie Williams, president of the Hastings Plunket Society, who has been interested iu the society since its inception over 25 years ago, has for the second time thrown open these lovely grounds in aid of the society's funds. The first time was 23 years ago. and these two fetes bqve enclosed a span of vicissitudes from which the society has emerged triumphant from one prosperity to the dawn of another. Through two slijniiis, the Great War, and the unparalleled calamity of the earthquake, succeeding committees have guided It, and Miss Williams nas always been connected with its executive either as president or vice-presi-dent. carrying on the work to which her (ather. the late Mr. J. N. M’illiams, was the first Hastings subscriber.

The weather yesterday was perfect, and streams of ears converged toward the sycamore-guarded avenue leading to the Frimley drive. Over 800 people enjoyed the warmth and sunshine in exquisite surroundings, where acres of velvet lawns, rose gardens, herbaceous borders, and shrubberies are set about in the shelter of huge trees. A prized old manuka before the front door was white with blossoms.' an oranse tree heavy with golden fruit, and a tall acacia a, mass of flower. Sycamores, oaks, and elms known to four generations of the family were at their best in the pale fresh leafage of spring, with blackbirds singing in the topmost branches. Thp air was heavy with the scent of ebolsa. azalea, aud honeysuckle. Stalls were set round the tennis

lawns in tents, and the tea marquee was at the back of the house beside a dense shrubbery. The Hastings Town Band played on the lower lawn beside the swimming pool all the afternoon. People lingered everywhere and the whole effect was of a delightful garden party. The organisation was excellent in every respect, and the committee is to be congratulated on the outstanding success of the gathering.

The stall-holders were: Produce. Mesdanies Adam Bell, Melville Bell. Roger Greenwood, and IV. F. Wellwood : side-shows. Mesdanies Harry Gascoyne and Erie Nelson; faueyworlv. Mesdanies H. A. Fannin, N. J. Hill, aud C. Stubbs; tea. Miss Keith, assisted by Mrs. Keith and 24 girls in relays; cakes. Mesdanies C. A. Hendry, E, C. Bates. Romayne, and Wright; flowers. Mrs. J. B. Pickering: sweets. .Mesdanies A. D. S. Whyte and W. A # Whitlock: books. Mrs. A. Shaw. Miss Michael Gardiner; meat. Mr. Eric Nelson: games, Air. J. N. Lowry; parcel depot. Girl Guides, under the district captain, Aliss Ursula Greenwood; ice creams. Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Sutro. The Hastings Plunket Society supports two nurses, two ears, and rooms in the municipal mothers’ rest, a charming building surrounded with well-kept flower beds near the centre of the town, Mrs. Richard Sunderland is honorary secretary, and Mr. E. V. Simpson honorary treasurer. (Other Woman's World Items on Page 0.)