£37 RAISED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32513, 6 December 1944, Page 7

£37 RAISED

VANITY FAIR, MOCK COURT

FUNCTION IN COROMANDEL PATRIOTIC FUNDS BENEFIT The Coromandel Women’s Institute held its big annual effort to raise funds for patriotic purposes on Saturday, November 25, when the main street presented a very busy scene. Opened by selections by the Coromandel. Silver band, the mock court was then declared to be sitting. Special police did a good job of work in collecting various members of the community who were charged before the judge. Fun and laughter was everywhere, the charges read out often being very witty. Stalls were placed under an awning at the side of the footpatch and members of the institute in charge of them were dressed in Victorian period costumes. They presented a gay scene moving in and out of the crowd as they sold their wares. A parade, led by Mrs D. Stewart in gipsy costume with her piano-ac-cordion, added to the colourful scene.

Decorated children’s prams, trucks and tricycles also added to the excitement as the parade moved down the

street. The arrival of . the judge and the prosecuting attorney in a spring cart drawn by a big blaze-faced horse and! driven by a Victorian lady in voluble skirts, caused l roars of laughter and started the fair off with a spontaneous feeling of merriment. Quantites of home cooking, produce, needlework, pipis and peanuts were disposed of. Various competitions were' .held and lucky envelopes were soon sold out. The winners of the parade were:— Decorated prams,—Madelia King 1, Barbara Ward 2. Tricycles.—Netta Darling 1, Gay Hansen 2. Trucks. —Colin Reddy 1, Terence McNeil 2. Mrs Murphy 'carried out the part of the judge, assisted by Mrs Anderson as prosecuting attorney and Mesdames Mc'Kenzie and Patterson as special police. The judge and attorney were arrayed in wigs and gowns and looked realistic, particularly the judge’s bright red nose. The police with their armbands and truncheons also looked very businesslike. Humorous sidelights were heard during the afternoon which all contributed to the fun. Madame X told fortunes and added l to the attractions of the afternoon. Beautiful weather prevailed and this well thought-out and successful effort brought in the sum of £37 to go to the Patriotic Fund.