ST. JOHN AMBULANCE NURSING GUILD PAIR

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6964, 2 November 1909, Page 2

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE NURSING GUILD PAIR

OPENED BY LADY PLUNKET. The St. John Ambulance Nursing Guild Fair, which for many months ■past has been engaging tho attention of so many philanthropic Wellington women, headed by Mrs S. A. Rhodes, was successfully opened by Lady Plunket in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. There was an excellent attendance despite the unpropitious nature of the weather.

The Mayor (Dr Newman) introduced her Excellency, who was attended by tho Hon. Captain Gathorne-H’ardy, A.D.C., and on tho stage, which had been handsomely decorated, wero Mrs Rhodes (President of the Guild), the •Mayoress (Mrs Newman), and Miss Ethel Nathan, upon whom tho Secretarial duties of the fair have devolved owing to Mrs Firth’s regrettable accident.

In commending the excellent object of the fair to tho public her Excellency stated that by this effort, it was hoped to ensure tho good work of nursing tho sick poor in their own homes being always carried on. The work could not but appeal to the sympathy of tho citizens, and she hoped the highest anticipations of the promoters would bo realised. (Applause). Tho stalls are most attractively arranged and handsomely decorated, and as all the attendants are in nursing costume tho whole effect is picturesque to a degree. Following is a list of tho stallholders: —

President’s stall—Mesdamos S. A. Rhodes and W. S. Moorhouse.

North Wellington stall—Mesdames G. Shirtcliffe, A. L. Herdman, W. Nathan and T. G. Macarthy. South Wellington stall—Mesdames J. P. Luke, G. Winder, P. Mackin, Campbell, Salmon, W. Pollock, Eyelands, and Falk Cohen.

Guild stall—Mesdames J. D. Trip© W B. Fisher, Waters, Pearson, Bal-combo-Brown, Miss Eobieson.

Gipsy encampment—Mrs Campbell Mrs H. Bethnno.

Tea kiosk —Mesdames W. H. Preston, S. Eichardsou, W. R. Bock, and Butts.

Flowers and produce—Dr PlattsMills and Mesdames S. Kirkcaldio, W. J. Grey, Menzies, Miss A. Lookie. Silver and tobacco stall—Mesdames A. A. Corrigan and Etherington. Doll stall —Mrs J. R. Gibbons.

There is also a bran tub in charge of Mrs Sexton, a hidden treasure under tho direction of Master Cyril Mackay, a sweets stall where delightful -homemade sweets are vended, and other attractions.

Each stall is arranged in a different colour and the dressses of the attendants are in consonance. A pretty shade of blue with white aprons, caps, cuffs and collars has been chosen for tho president’s helpers, as well as for the tobacco and silver stall and the doll stall, the stalls being festooned in white and blue. Tho chief attraction among many works of art at the president’s stall is tho huge solid silver and elegantly chased cup donated by Mrs Rhodes, which is being raffled at a shilling a member. The cup is almost invaluable regarded as a work of art outside its intrinsic worth. Another great attraction at this stall are a pair vf Japanese curtains valued at forty guineas, also Mrs Rhodes’ gift, which are being raffled in the good oauso. • In the North Wellington stall tho presiding geniuses and attendants have donned heliotrope gowns, while the South Wellington ladies ’ have shown a hanpy fancy for pink, their stall being decorated with peach blossom, which gives a graceful spring-like effect.

The Nursing Guild stallholders and assistants havo chosen virgin white with yellow badges, and their stall is draped to correspond, with a largo Maltese;cross of white immortelles —the Order of St. John Ambulance—in tho centre. White gowns with pale-green badges are worn by tho ladies at the produce and flower stall in harmony with their two artistically arranged stalls. . ' .

The palm for beauty of decoration and artistic design must, however, bo awarded to the tea kiosk beneath the gallery, which is carried out in a brilliant scheme of crimson and white, with strings of green and crimson electric bulbs festooned upon a frieze of lycopodium, and further down sprays of artificial japonica placed on a white background give a lovely effect above a dado of palms. Tlio floor is covered with crimson baize in harmony with the rest of the scheme, and huge pots of arum likes and palms give a cool and effective note of relief here and there between tho prettily decorated tea tables. The ladies here are clad in white, which help out tho charming effect. Mrs AVuters and Mrs Richardson were responsible for the kiosk decorations, and Mrs Kreeft for the handsomely decorated stage. King’s orchestra rendered selections during tho afternoon. Regret was expressed that the band of H.M.S. Challenger,- which was to haye rendered the evening’s programme, did not appear. Interesting programmes will bo rendered at the fair each afternoon and evening, and there can bo no doubt that tho Town Hall will be a fashionable promenade during the week over which the fair will extend. To-mor-row evening a rare treat is promised, when Miss Estelle Boere’s pupils will, give some' pretty dances, graceful ballets, and charming tableaux. On Wednesday afternoon there will bo a piece do resistance in the shape of a grand baby show. There will be two prizes for natural fed infants, the gifts of Lady Plunket. 1 ho following prizes will be awarded by ballot: —Prize -or finest girl under ono year; prize' for finest boy under one year; prize for

finest girl under two years; prize for finest boy under tiro years: and a prize for finest twins. In the evening ‘The Follies.” under tho leadership of Mr Trosize, have promised an entertainment, and a programme will bo given by Turner’s guitar, maudolino and banjo orchestra. On Thursday and Friday afternoons King’s orchestra will again supply the musical programme, and Jupp’s band will perform on Thursday evening. On Friday evening Miss Estelle Beere’s pupils will again give a performance, as also on Saturday afternoon when there will be a special matinee for children. Yesterday-’s takings lamountod to £l7B 11s 7jd.