ST. THOMAS' SNOW FAIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7827, 22 December 1886, Page 5

ST. THOMAS' SNOW FAIR.

Yesierday afternoon, at three o'clock, the Snow Fair in aid of St. Thomas' Church Building Fund was formally opened by Bishop Cowie, in the new Agricultural Hall, adjoining the City Market. The enclosure is partitioned into three divisions, —the concert-room, the Fair proper, which is enclosed in calico, leaving a promenade outside, and the tea-room. The Fair comprised four stalls devoted to the sale of every variety of goods and refreshments, brilliantly lit up last night with Chinese lanterns. The stills are reofed with wadding and powdered with glass, in imitation of snow. In the centre of the Fair is a Norfolk Island pine as a Christmas tree, bedecked with prizes, and besprinkled with powdered alum in imitation of hoar frost. All the stalls are tastefully decorated with greenery, among which the holly, with its bright red berries, is conspicuous. On the walls of the fair is the legend " A Merry Christmas." No. 1 stall is presided over by Mrs. Olive, Mrs. Snowden, and Miss Miller, assisted by Misses O'Beirne and Baker. No. 2, by Mesdames Wallington, Hardiuge, and Chapman. No. 3, by Mesdames Hamilton, Ward, and JKadford. The refreshment stall was under the supervision of Mr. Hardinge, and Mesdames Armstrong, Evans, and Rees; the tea-room under the control of Mesdames E. Owen and Dr. Davis ; while the Christmas tree was attended to by the Misses Cole (3) and Owen, assisted by Mr. Tracy Knighband Mr, Gregory Knight, the latter assuming the role of "Father Christmas." The stalls are stocked with all kinds of goods, useful and ornament*!. Children and ladies' underclothing, fancy cushions, brackets, cosies, vases, footstools, toys, &c. There is a Rob Roy canoe, constructed by Mr. John Waymouth, jun., to be raffled. The useful has not been neglected, as there is a collection of wheelbarrows for disposal. On the wall is a capital picture by Mr. Kenneth Watkins, "Scene at Waitakerei by Moonlight," which should find a ready purchaser. A fair business was done during the day and evening. During the evening the farce of " Twenty Minutes with a Tiger" was performed by some gentlemen and lady amateurs in the theatre or concert room. Mr. Robinson was stage manager, and the respective roles were taken by the Misses Honld (2), Miss Seymour, Messrs. Robinson, Naylor, Alioway, and Seymour. The piece created a good deal of amusement. A number of Christmas carols were also sung by a party of " waits," under the conduotorship of Mr. Ward. The diversion of snapdragon was also indulged in. The fair was under the management of Mr. R. W. Evans, with whom the project originated. The fair will re-open to-day, and in the evening Mr. Gregory Knight, assisted by Mr. Tracy Knight (organist of St. Paul's), will distribute the prizes on the Christmas tree. To-night some fresh Christmas carols will be sung by the " waits," and a minstrel entertainment will be given, under the conductorship of Mr. Ward.