GARDEN PARTY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 5, 5 December 1931, Page 2

GARDEN PARTY

COLLEGE STREET SCHOOL FUNCTION. Arranged in the most pleasant surroundings, tFie annual garden party of the College Street School was held this afternoon in the grounds of the main school. The trees provided an artistic setting and shade for the visitors and stallholders. Long before two o’clock, when the function was opened, there was a large_ gathering of visitors who increased in number throughout the afternoon. The stalls were splendidly arranged and bore large quantities of all manner of articles. Numerous competitions were conducted by the ladies’ and men’s committees under whose direction the fete was held, and patrons had a pleasant afternoon’s entertainment while assisting the school funds. Races for the children were field under the supervision of the staff. At two o’clock, Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., and Mrs Nash arrived to open the function and were introduced by Colonel J. H. Whyte, chairman of the committee, who extended a special welcome to Mr Nash on his re-election to Parliament. The speaker pointed out the difficulties under which school committees are at present labouring. At the College Street School the capitation just about paid the salary of the caretaker and the expenses in connection with the upkeep had only been met because of the excellent work of the ladies’ committee. Colonel Whyte concluded by calling for cheers for Mr Nash.

“This annual fete is one of interest, not to the whole city but to those /ho form the committees, the parents and the children who attend it,” said Mr Nash. “I understand what the chairman said with regard to the upkeep of the school and fully appreciate his remarks, for I have been through the mill myself as chairman of the Terrace End School Committee and know too well what you are called on to do.” The Government might not, perhaps, be doing all it ought to at the present time to help the schools, but with so little coming in there was none to go out. There was nothing to be done in face of the depression but “to put a smile on the faces of the people and show as Britishers we will come through it.” Depressions came and went every few years and the only thing to do was to be optimistic. The sufferings of the people were not to be forgotten nor was tlie work of the pioneers, who laboured without complaint, to be forgotten. In conclusion, Mr Nash expressed pleasure at seeing so many children assembled. He referred to the very fine work of the chairman, Colonel Whyte, and of the members of the ladies’ committee and expressed the hope that tangiblo results would obtain.

During the afternoon a concert performance was staged in the school and drew a large and appreciative audience. The following is a list of the stallholders :—Produce, Mesdames H. McLeod and J. A. Smith; fancy, Mesdames F. Tucker and C. Pees; sweets, Mesdames H. Hopwood, C. L. Mowlem and A. AVorboys; cakes, Mesdames L. Bale, and J. H. AVhite; tearooms, Mesdames It. Edwards and Pearson; strawberries and cream, Mesdames F. N. Andrews and E. Bowler-AY’atson; ice-cream and soft drinks, Mesdames AV. H. Huntington and G. AA’atcliorn; roll down, Mr Scliwass; clock golf, Mr Joblin. The winners of the competitions in cooking and fancy work were as follow: Sponge sandwich, adults, Miss N. Clark 1; children up to 14 years, Patty Barnard 1; hard sweets, adults, Miss Felicia Edwards; children up to 14 years, Marcella Edwards; novelty article competition, adults (cost not to exceed 2s), Mrs R.. H. Alien 1; children, up to 14 years (clothes peg bag from sugar bag), Vivienne Allen 1. The judge for the cakes and sweets was Mrs A\ r . J. Phillips and Mrs R. Nasmith judged the fancy work. The function is being continued this evening.