THE TAHUNA FETE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXIX, Issue 9993, 23 March 1893, Page 6

THE TAHUNA FETE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —There appears to be some dissatisfaction that the Tahuna fete should only have realised .£l2 13a lOd to the Queensland fund, and surprise ia expressed at the expenses incurred. Theitems of expenditure were sent to the Executive, and may be seen by any interested. Uvary >r.om is for money actually out of pocke’ - . Tha members of the Club not merely give their services as orchestra, choir, may-pole dancers, &c., but made, fitted and discharged the firework display free of charge. They did more, they lent all the appliances used in the earlier fetes free of charge, and they paid for their own tickets, the Club alone taking one hundred and six tickets. They purchased timber and wire at a cost of some pounds especially for this fete, which, although used, remain as assets and were not charged for. How cheaply the ffite was conducted may be appreciated when it is known that the fireworks at this display cost £o 10s and tha contract price for the Druuib’ Gala was .-698, The surprise is not that such a feto (which it was reasonable to suppose might attract 2000 persons and realise JS100), should cost £2O ; the wonder ia it should coat so little. Of course it could not have been done for bo small a sum were it not for the great amount of gratuitous services rendered. The members of the Club did not ask anyone to gratuitously assist them, except the Queen’s Cadets. That the New Brighton Tramway Company should have contributed their share was a pleasant but most unexpected surprise. I believe no member of the Kingsley Club would ever have thought of asking such a thing. So that all the high talk about loyalty, &c., is somewhat out of place. The section of the Club that managed the fete gave their services absolutely without fas, and took all risk of loss entirely on their own shoulders, paid for their own tickets, and handed over the balance to the fund. I ask tlio most carping critic what ho would have more ? I conclude by stating that I am requested to take this opportunity of thanking the Queen’s Cadets for their gratuitous and valuable aid on the night of the fete.—l am, &c., A. W. BIOKERTON, Organising Secretary.