CHINESE FAIR

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 158, 19 June 1936, Page 6

CHINESE FAIR

Hall Too Small for Last Night’s Crowd STALLS SOLD OUT, As the town clock chimed the hour of midnight, the last notes of a haunting waltz melody were played by the orchestra at the Hastings Assembly Hall and the Chinese Fair came to an end. It was a wonderful finish, for it was enacted in an atmosphere of contentment and happiness. Last night’s activities surpassed all expectations and the Assembly Hall proved all too small comfortably to accommodate the huge crowd of people. Long before the scheduled hour of the closing of the fair itself the stalls had completely sold out all available stocks and automatically “closed-up shop.” Until 10.30 o’clock the sideshows continued to do a thriving business; then they, too, had to dose up for want of further supplies of prizes. After that hour the remainder of the night was spent in dancing amid the magnificent decorations that had aroused the admiration of all. The proceedings throughout the whole evening were bright and lively, everyone joining without the slightest restraint in the atmosphere of a bazaar and fair. The many competitions and free shows provided plenty of amusement, and altogether the seal of success was set upon the Hastings and District Progress League’s first venture. The main competition of the evening was the beauty competition, in which the most shapely leg was the basis upon which the judging was made. For this there were over 40 competitors, and three recalls were necessary before the judges decided upon Miss D- O’Neill as the winner. There were numerous other competitions for specific prizes, and they were won as follow:— Boxes of chocolates.—D. Hayward, Hastings street, Hastings; Mrs. J. L. McQuire, Queen street, Hastings; R. E. Hunt, Heretaunga street, Hastings. Watch.—K. Sun. Clive. Cakes.—N. Campbell, Awahuri (Mrs Tuohy’s cake); Mrs. Bain; and K. Mitchell, Southland road. Box of tea. Mrs. C. Lewis, Maddison street, Hastings. Fire-screen. —M. Meale, Stortford street, Hastings. Chinese linen set. —Mrs. J. Jones, Napier road, Havelock North. Dress length—L. Thompson, Nurses’ Home, Napier, i Crepe de chine nightdress.—Miss M. Symons, Russell street, Hastings. Suitcase.—Miss Vogtherr, Hastings. Refreshment room competition.— Ticket holder 261. Saddle of mutton. —Mr. F, Crawford.