THE PORT CHALMERS FLORAL FETE.

Evening Star, Issue 11169, 19 February 1900, Page 2

THE PORT CHALMERS FLORAL FETE.

The jrood people of Port Chalmers are not punctual. " Two o'clock," we were told, was the appointed hour for the procession in. honor of their fete through the town, but !■-•: two o'clock you might have shot a ball from "Long Tom" down the main street* and harmed no one. It was nearer twenty minutes to three when a motley group ar-ri'-n-Ted themselves into something like order, and. led by a gentleman in military dress seated astride a gaily caparisoned horse, commenced to march. This was the band. A stranger to the Port, or a visitor from a.ars. might have pardontblv taken them tor Christmas mummers, rivals of Guy l'iiwkes, or a variety show procession. There was a. gentleman who had on a suit that once was white duck, but was now daubed with blotches of paint and dirt-; another in white, with a coal-black face and white turban ; another with a baby's hood, a woman's bodice and no skirt; and vet another with go den hair hanging down his back, a dilapidated bonnet, draggle-tail gown, and slipshod shoes: whilst the balance of them sci-mud as though freshly turned out from a second-hand clothing store. The sightseers were delighted, and as the above paraded in all their pride to the accompaniment of their own inspiring strains, the red noses, falsß beards, and smudged cheeks caused every boy to tarn pale with envy. A dapper little chap in khaki uniform, mounted on his pony, wine first, then the band, and then a heavy dray decorated with ferns, flags, streamers, and flowers drawn by three horses, and crowded with little girls ,-obed in white, and having tn-color ribbons, made up into bows and bunches, pinned upon their dresses. JNext were some men on horseback, some carts and buggies, and a few bedecked bicycles, whose riders were in fancy costume, -n this fashion we reached THE RECREATION GROUND. Av the entrance were some young men and young i lldles . TLe forafe . t< 4 t ur mm no. and the latter pinned a small white and blue bow on to your coat collar. The Union Jack auntcd proudly in the breeze on one side the gate, and the New Zealand Southern Uoss on the other. Having paid our fee, there was no bar to our further progress except Nuch traps, snares, ad delusions as feiinbounnes for the A.M.8., flowers for the bi-tton-holo, and other old-fashioned devices for catching the unwary. One old'gentleman was vigorously protesting against being •isked to pay-not that he minded the amount, but it was the principle of the tiling. Nice-sounding phrase that, and covers so much. Surely if the Press permit heir representatives to pay, as we know they have at most of these patriotic meetings without raising the question of their identity, and are content to let them work also or the cause, surely others need not raise the question of " principle." However wo went m and looked around. To the left was the bay, upon which several gailvndorned yachts and boats were saihw • to thc> right a high bank, along whicit were ranged an array of—wo cannot say "deadheadsi'—people who objected on "principle to pay. There were two fine marquees erected on the ground; one was converted into a bower of nicely-assorted flowers and fruits, with a. Union Jack spread out near the opening to catch the odds and end H tor " our boys," and the other served as a fine refreshment tent. Here there were many tables, prettily arranged, and many attendant Indies, dressed in white, with straw hats, and red, white, and blue ribbons for a relief J! lags were flying, and the band were playing wnilst dozens of little children, girls in especial, were wandering about in all kinds or attractive and quaint costumes. The weather by three o'clock had cleared. There was neither wind nor dust, and the bay was as smooth as a maiden's chock, and the sky as softly blue as milk that has stood over night. The music from the variegated band lent a zest to the scene, and the very largo m.mber of well-dressed folks wandered about chatting and laughing, or else gathered round to watch the various events that the Committee had arranged. These combined amusement with business, and the Diana Vernon who, with black face, black petticoats, and unmentionable bonnet, essayed to clear a stool standing some fifteen inches Horn the ground produced roars of laughter and merry shouts. The whole function,, in short, was a success—weather, committee, ladies, sports, attendance, and financial results Everyone- worked hard, everyone did their best, and everyone had the satisfaction 01 knowing that he and she had hclned towards raising the very handsome sum'of £6O towards the lourfh Contingent. PRIZE-LIST. Mr Allen's sailing boat Herowikn 1 Mr \V Wntsou'a Miss Kruger 2, Mr \V. Walcrs's Irene b.c. Pleasure Boats. Three entries.— Mr W. M. Lines 1, Misses Cow.in and IVrcy 2 Cannes (with nr without sail).—Gordon M Ronnie and Joint Stewart equal. Hutchers' Hiding-out Horses.—J. W. Harrison 1, G. Brown 2. Children in Groups of Three.—These croups were prettily arranged, and much admired. The hr?f. prize was nwnrdnd to Mrs Clementson's family, consisting of the Misses Kathleen Mabol, 'ind Frances Sinclair. The second award fell to tlio Misses Virion, Irene and Ruth Tayler. Child's Toy Cradle. Miss Daphne De Ma us ]. Children's Tricycles.—There were six entries the lirst prize being awarded to Miss Gertie" Wafers and Miss Ethel Innes. Go-rnri.«!.--T!ipre were five entries, and they certainly formed an aUraclivo exhibit. The first iiriin was awarded to Miss K. Kettle. Mi;.} Jmbol Olemontson's was a Dnisy literally', ami she to'Oc second prize. Mirr Ornin De Minis was third, Mrs Dyer fourth, Mir, Taylor fiith. i 'V-ranibuliitors.—The first prizo was taken by Mrs W. Marr. Ladies' Hals.—ln this class there worn three entries Miss Yeomnn taking first and juifo Cable second prize. Sunshade::. Four entries. Miss Pocsrv iinsl-.ets. Seven entries. Mrs Morgan 1 Mrs Grey 2, Miss Yeoman h.c. All the exhibits were .rood. Shower Bn,i,| U eif.-.—Mrs A. Hendrv 1. Ji.it lonhole Huuquots.— Miss Mulq'ueen 1. Clnldren's Hoops.—John Sutherland 1. Clnldren's Pets.—Miss Peggy Plaits 1, Miss I»obinu Cook 2. !>ieyele;;._-In this class there were nine entries. Miss Morgan took the first and Miss Fur!ecus the second prixo. Original Inhibits. Tim Port Chalmers Hand exhibit, "The Seven Muses," took first prize. r.'jmwn Chariots.—Mr D. Marr ]. Floral Device.—Mrs Grey took first, and Miss Palou second prize. Fancy Costume.—There, wore three entries in this class. The first prize fell to Claude Waters, whoso dress was a copy nf that to be. worn by a New Zealand Rough Rider. Miss Kathleen Cleiiientson (Yum Yum) and Miss Miriam Morrall (tambourine girl) wore the other out Hints. Trollies.—There wero two exhibits, Mrs Rr.miio taking first and Jninos Mu'lqueeii iccr.nd prize. Bicycle Rescue Race.—A well contested event, in which there were six entries, T. Walker taking first prize. Pony and Trap.—Miss Cloghorn 1, Mr A J).ivid.:o:i 2. Mr N. Smith (Vfydiati) 3. All these exhibits were excellent. Hoys' Ponies. Four entries.—Mr J. H Pell 1. Mr N. Smith (Waitati) 2. Lorry and Team.—Mr C. Stevenson took first, prize. Tradesmen's Cart.—Mr T. Kelly 1. Misses Borric. Murray, Bauchop, D. King, and N. Woolsey acted as collectors at the gates ; Messrs Morrall and Murray received subscriptions from persons on the hillsides ; and Miss Miriam Morrall collected 3ls in her tambourine ; while Miss .1. Cook, representing "Columbia," collected shillings for " our boys." The followiiv constituted the Fete Cornmi Itee : —Dr Borrie, Licutenant-conunauding Waters. Messrs W. Wilson and D. Marr, with Mr J. Ronnie organiser and secretary. The ladies in charge of the refreshment tent were: Mesdumes ftc Maus (mayoress), E. (». Allen, Monson. Cook, and Hendrv. with Misses Monson (2), Allen, Platts, "Paton, Watson. J. Innes. Cashman, Cable, Rundle, and M'Callum. The flower marquee was presided over bv Mrs Morgan, assisted by Mrs A. Hendry, with Misses Morgan, Palmer, and Porteous. Captain and Mrs Cameron, with Mr Cousins, acted as judges for the floral decorations.