CITY MISSION

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 63, 12 September 1938, Page 5

CITY MISSION

"SPRINGTIME FAIR"

OPENING CEREMONY

The invaluable work being done by the Wellington City Mission is well known, and for that, reason the "Springtime Fair," which is at present being held in the Town Hall, should receive the patronage of all citizens. The work of the late Rev. T. Fielden Taylor, who was missioner for many years, is well remembered, and one of the objects of the fair is to augment the Fielden Taylor Memorial Building Fund, which at present stands at £3141. The sum aimed at is £20,000, which is the amount estimated to be required to replace the present wooden mission buildings. The opening ceremony on Saturday afternoon was performed by the Hon. P. Fraser (Minister of Education), who was accompanied by Mrs. Fraser. The Rev. N. F. E. Robertshawe presided, and others present on the stage were Lady Pomare, Mrs. H. St. Barbe Holland, Archdeacon Hansell and Mrs. Hansell, Archdeacon Bullock and Mrs. W. Bullock, Rev. Mr. Willis, Mr. Chapman, Mrs. Knox Gilmer, the Rev. D. C. Bates and Mrs. Bates, Mrs. Sprott, Mrs. White, Mrs. Cole, Miss Anderson, Mr. N. T. C. Titchener (acting missioner), and members of the board. After welcoming the visitors, Mr. Robertshawe said that the work laid down by the late Rev. Fielden Taylor had been built up into a great organisation which had touched the hearts and the pockets of not only the people of Wellington, but of the Dominion, said Mr. Robertshawe. The late Mr. Taylor's enthusiasm had gathered a great band of helpers, many of whom were carrying on the work today. The work now being done was to the utmost credit of the ideals of the late Mr. Taylor. The City Mission went back to 1904, and when the late Mr. Taylor became missioner ,he built up a great work. Those who had followed in' his steps had kept his -ideals. The work of the Men's Shelter during the depression was beyond praise. Though that branch of the work had ceased, men were still received into the house alongside the missioner's. Some said that there would be no need for the mission now, but he doubted that. Boys coming to Wellington needed help, and the work of the boys' hosts! could be developed. It was hoped that some of the money raised at the fair would go to the building of a boys' hostel and a men's shelter. " In times of sickness, there would still be work for the mission. The work of the mission had been carried on by Mr. N. C. Titchener (acting missioner), and tha activity that one still saw was a tribute,to the enthusiasm engendered by the late missioner. MB. PHASER'S ADDRESS. The fair was declared open by Mr. Fraser, who said that all knew what the work of the mission had meant to the life of Wellington, and particularly to those who had suffered during the depression. Everybody concerned should be congratulated ou the effort that had been made; it was the culmination of weeks of devotion and enthusiasm. Tha part the City Mission had played could not be overemphasised. An amount of £20,000 was required to rebuild the hostel. Already about £3000 or £4000 was in hand, and in the comparatively prosperous times of the present and the prosperous times it was hoped would follow, the full amount necessary should be realised. They were all aware of the good work done by the Stop Out Club, and the work done in connection with night classes, said Mr. Fraser. Another branch of the mission's activities was the summer camp, and many men today had secured a start to better health through the camp. At the beginning of the depression the men's shelter had done valuable work in providing accommodation for men who had been placed in the old Mt. Cook barracks. There was no necessity for such times to come again, but there would always be people who would need assistance in the hour of sickness and bereavement, and there were young people to be helped. It was in those directions that the activities of the mission now lay. The Port Nicholson Silver Band was in attendance, and played selections during the afternoon. The main attraction on Saturday afternoon was a number by pupils of Miss Hazel Martin's School of Dancing. In the evening the Wellington Working Men's Club Orchestra supplied the music. Miss Marjorie Newport's dancing pupils gave a popular item, the V.M.C.A. provided a gymnastic display, and an exhibition of fencing was provided by members of the Wellington Sword Club and the Jenkins Sword Academy. WELL-STOCKED STALLS. The numerous stalls which were artistically arranged around the hall were well patronised, and the coloured lights and floral decorations provided a fitting background to an animated scene. The stalls were varied and well stocked. At the plain and fancywork stall pretty children's frocks, serviceable aprons, toys, tea towels, and cushions were among other things that were soon sold. Soft baby clothes were a feature of the "woollies" booth, and fresh spring flowers and potted plants were readily disposed of at the flower stall. Trade in homemade produce such as pickles and jams was brisk, and at the appetising homemade sweets and cakes stall the demand almost exceeded supply. The refreshment booth and the display of children's wooden toys attracted many juveniles. Stallholders are: Plain and fancy, Mesdames White, C. Cole, Marsh, Anderson, Smith, H. Edyvane; ice cream, Mrs. F. Cummings, Misses E. Hart, R. Tidey, M. Fowler, j and I. Dorien; sweets, Mrs. Miles and j First Wellington Rangers;-books. Mes- c dames Dallas and Roberts; parcels, j Miss Clarke, Miss Webb, Miss Sheedy; kitchen, Mrs. Donald in charge; Mothers' Club, Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. ' Jacobs, Mrs. Winter; produce, Mes- I dames Townley, Lappin, Barrett, Jones; toys and amusements, Guild of Fellow- ) ship, Miss Stedman, Mr. F. Peterson", and party; sideshows, Mr Dawson, as- *■ sisted by Mr. Miles and Rovers; men's * stall, Mrs. Sheedy. Mrs. Ahearn; * flowers, Mrs. Tirtori, Mrs. Clifford; i "penny" bucket, Mr, F. Cole; competi- * tions, Mrs. Williams, Miss Milligan; * cakes, Gas Company, Miss Carter in < charge; tearooms, first day, St. George r parish and St. Aidan's parish. Mr. c Presicott Jensen was programme or- t ganiser. __ 1 The flowers which were used to de- € corate the hall were the gift of the i Red Cross Society. c The committee which organised the t fair consisted of Mr. N. T. C. Titchener \ (chairman), Mrs. Cole, Mrs. White, Mr. \ E. Newman (secretary), Mr. R. Hill E and Mr. J. Alderman (joint treasurers), Mr. Warner, and Mr. G. Clarke. - The fair is to continue till next Saturday, and attractive programmes *• have been "arranged for each afternoon and evening. The high lights this * evening will be the "Hollinside * j Players" and Mr... Temple White's Boys' t Choir. Tomorrow afternoon a bridge * and "500" party will be held. l TODAY'S PROGRAMME. ? j An entire change of programme has * been arranged for each of the seven 1 days of the Springtime Fair, and the 'V programmes include exhibitions of I cooking, acrobatics by trapeze artists, c