RANGIORA PARISH CHURCH FETE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXX, Issue 8669, 19 December 1888, Page 6

RANGIORA PARISH CHURCH FETE.

Yesterday a fete, in aid of the funds of the Rangiora Parish Church, was held in the parsonage grounds. Thanks to the energy displayed by the members of the ladies’ working bee and others of the congregation, the party was both a pleasant and successful one. On entering the grounds the most prominent object was a commodious tent, where the handiwork of the members of the ladies’ bee aud their friends was displayed in tempting profusion. For a consideration in cash visitors were allowed to appropriate the articles, and a very fair trade was done by the stallholders, viz., Mesdames Gillam, Shorland, Howard, and Miss Hurse. In a second tent close by, strawberries and cream and other palatable refreshments were dispensed by Mesdames Hay, Good, and Misses Thompson and Busch (2), and a well stocked Christmas tree, in an adjacent grove, was in charge of the Misses Blackett and Wycherley. Several other coin attractors were also to be found placed in convenient situations, amongst them being a wishing well, managed by Mrs and the Misses Buss; a bran pie made in the most approved style by Miss Lissaman; a shooting gallery, which was in the hands of the noted marksman. Sergeant B. d’Auvergne ; and a collection of disreputable looking figures, which were palmed off as living images of our old friend Aunt Sally. Investing: a penny for three “shies” at these objects, you might win a cocoanut, and you might not, chiefly the latter. By the payment of an extra, threepence visitors were admitted to the schoolroom, where an exhibition of fine arts and museum of curiosities was to be found. The collection was a really excellent one, aud afforded room for much careful and thoughtful inspection. The exhibits numbered one hundred and three. No. 1 being “The Mystery of Mysteries,” which met the gaze of the wonder-seeker, in the shape of a well-developed specimen of the common and much-abused sausage of commerce, and No. 103 a well-executed print, entitled “The Return from the [_H)oaks.” This part of the proceedings was under the charge of Mr E. Thorne. During the afternoon the Rangiora Brass Band contributed to the pleasure of the visitors by discoursing some very good music. Much of the success of the day was due to the able management of the Rev W. E. Gillam, who spared no pains in providing for the enjoyment of those who patronised the fete.