OLD ENGLISH FAIR

Grey River Argus, 23 October 1915, Page 2

OLD ENGLISH FAIR

OPENED YESTERDAY.

NO. 1 GOING STRONG

The No. 1 Group (Russia, Italy, and Japan) made a big bid to further improve their already strong position yesterday in the Allies Carnival for the Wounded Soldiers' Fund by holding an Old English Fair and sale of live stock at the Drill Hall, Greymouth. rhe drill shed on Thursday af ternoou wore its usual appearance, but yesterday it presented quite a transformation scene, pleasing withal and bearing testimony to the enthusiastic work of the. supporters of No. 1 Group in preparing for the event. ■ c stalls were all well stocked and the arrangements for a further assault upon the philanthropy of the public were complete at ■ 2 o'clock. On entering the hall one is particu-■-iv struck with the very fine display of flowers, cut blooms, many of which arrived on Thursday from Christchurch. The display was exquisite, and one bloom in paiticular, a very rare and choice variety of tulip, received among the blooms from Christchurch, called for special admiration. j ins stall was in charge of Mrs C. Carter, assisted by the Misses Williamson, Duffy, E; Heaphy, Moore, and Cohen. y A produce stall, next on the right, is also well stocked, a special feature of the display being home-made goods of guaranteed digestiveness, including home-made butter, jams, cakes, etc. At this stall there is one delicacy in particular that is sure to sell rapidly, viz., lemon honey, a rare variety. V this be sold out visitors will not fail to find such .goods as sheep tongues, candles, mint (for the new lamb), brooms, mincemeats,, all sorts of preserves, and not forgetting asparagus. Mesdames G. T. Moss and . C. Harley are in charge of this strictly utility stall, assisted by Mrs Revington, Misses Hambleton, Stewart, Robinson, Phair, A. and R. Steer, Rayson, Kitto and Baxter. For those who have a sweet tooth —and who has not? —the sweets stall will surely please, for here again the confectionery is principally . homemade and of the choicest. Mesdames F. Harley, Low, and M. J. Fogarty superintend here. Next is a jumble stall, laden with children's clothing, as well as clothing for the children's dolls. Heads of families will be pleased with these goods. Mrs Thomas, Mrs Duncan, and Miss U. Smith will attend to vigors to this stall, in conjunction with which is a Christinas tree loaded with gifts so dear to youthful joys and ideals. The tea rooms nre well laid out and prepared for big business. Mesdames 11. McKay, Keddell, Schaef, Scuroeder, Nazor, Bush, Miss Sheedy, and a bevy of Avail resses are in charge of this important department. nJatform has been erected at the back of the luill 7 which was occupied in the evening by the Kailway Minstrels and a free entertainment given. A shooting-gallery has been erected for shooting -fur prizes and there- are lots of things, to be .shot for. , A pair of prize fowls, of a breed new to these parts, has been presented for sale. They arc such choice birds and of guaranteed quality that tlio owner has put a reserve of £3 3s on the pair. Failing a purchaser, he will buy them back at the price stated. ' An ice cream and soft drinks stall is in charge: of . ffesdames Laurie, Hartland, and Miss Duncan. OPENING CEREMONY. His Worship Jthe Mayor (Mr G. E.. Perkins) had much pleasure in declaring the Fair open at 2 o'clock yesterday. He complimented No. 1 Group on the interest and energy they had already displayed in bringing the Carnival to a successful issue. There was ample evidence of their fur. ther resourcefulness that, day, and he hoped the Fair w^uld be an unqualified success" financially,- and that he would ultimately be able to congratulate No. 1 Group on being on top at the end of the Carnival. Mr G. T. Mossj chairman of No. 1 Group, thanked the Mayor for opening the bazaar. They could not do too much nor give too much, in such a- worthy cause. He reminded them of Mr D. McLaren's advice to give until' it hurt, and then give'again for relief. None of theni had been hurt yet, and he hoped that one and all would be liberally disposed, and that the Committee would commence at once to .double the amount in hand before Saturday :iext, not even excepting His Worship. —(Laughter). Some of them had not sons at the front, and it was their duty especially to help the mothers who had sons there. The Ladies' Committee had worked like Trojans and had kept them up to the' mark. All praise" was due V to the lady helpers on behalf of the fund. lir conclusion,: Mr Moss announced that the Mayor had- headed the list with a cheque for £s'ss. —((C(hecrs); AUCTION SALE. An auction sale of live stock, the gifts of settlers in the Grey district, then took place, Mr Moss explaining that many setlers had helped with cash .while others had given what he was about to sell at! their market value, and for which he did not expect, nor asked, for more. He thanked Messrs Gibbons and Cochrane, drovers, and numerous carters for their assistance, and from whom no accounts would be sent in for their services. About 50 sheep, a dozen head of mixed cattle twelve crates of poultry and one or two pigs were sold at good prices.