ST. MARY’S SCHOOL FESTIVAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3372, 24 January 1884, Page 3

ST. MARY’S SCHOOL FESTIVAL.

The annual parish and school festival in connection with St. Mary’s Anglican Church, had been long looked forward to, as usual, by parents and children connected with the Church, and many anxious eyes were cast to windward last night to see what promise there was of fine weather for the festival. Happily to-day proved most genial, without being distressingly warm. About ten o’clock this morning, the scholars and their teachers mustered in the precincts of the church,where the Archdeacon held a short service (which was heartily joined in by all) and spoke a few suitable words. This over, the children formed outside in column of twos, and beaded by the Artillery Band, proceeded up North street, towards Captain Cain’s paddock where the festival was appointed to be held. The appearance of the procession as it made its way from the Church was very pleasing. The Artillery Band was followed by the girls, then came the Public School Drum and Fife Band, the boys bringing up the rear. A number of the* children carried little flags, which added liveliness to the long line. Some of the senior boys carried a large white banner, with red and blue borders, on which was inscribed “ St. Mary’s Church School,” and there were also several bannerets. These, with the tidy,pleasant look of the children gave a pleasing liveliness to the scene. When the head of the procession going up North street had nearly reached the corner of Grey Koad, and the little ones in the rear, were below Theodocia street, a man driving a cart, cut in alongside the procession, and continued to drive at a very rapid pace as far as Grey Eoad, round the corner of which, be drove at a tearing pace. Those watching him from the procession, trembled for fear as they saw the little ones hastily running for dear life, as this Jehu cleverly skimmed the line of children. Happilyjthe agony was soon over,but no thanks are due to the youth because nobody was injured. The paddock was reached about noon, and there the crowd found awaiting them, tents, booths, and preparations for various games and sports. The quantity and variety of the eatables and drinkables were astonishing ; everything had been prepared the day before by a number of parishioners, who volunteered to cut sandwiches and otherwise prepare the “spread.” When it is mentioned that 110 loaves were cut up. Some idea will be formed of the extent to which sandwiches formed a feature of the repast. The appearance that the grounds presented about half.an-honr after the arrival of the juvenile army was remarkably pleasing, some hundreds of children, clean and well-dressed, the Band in the middle, courses marked out and indicated by colored flags, football goals, swings, tents of all sizes and for various purposes, surmounted by flags and floral decorations, made up together a very pretty scene, which a good numher of grown up persons, looking on, heartily enjoyed. In the midst of all was the Archdeacon, who, flinging off coat and waistcoat in medias res, appeared to bo as much at home boiling a billy, as in organising the various games and setting everybody to work, One tent was labelled “ Bazaar,” and here a number of useful and fancy articles, provided by the ladies of the congregation, were displayed for purchase, the proceeds to go to the Church funds. The arrangements altogether were carried out by a committee of ladies, consisting of Mrs Woollcombe, who was the moving spirit in the affair, and Mssdames Goodall, Wright, Cooper, Stubbs, Wilson and others, and Mr Willway, as usual, contributed to the general enjoyment. The most striking feature of the affair was the perfect order that reigned,and those in charge of the festival must be congratulated upon the smoothness with which everything went off. A little after one o’clock the youngsters were formed into an immense circle and a splendid luncheon consist-, ing of sandwiches, buns, cakes, tea and everything acceptable to the youthful palate, was served out by the teachers. This consumed, a start was made with the races and other competitions for the visitors, in which a large assortment of toys and other articles had been provided. The day, as it wore on, grew hourly brighter and the fun was kept

up until a late hour, when the children and their teachers, thoroughly sated with enjoyment, returned to the church grounds, where they were dismissed to their several homes.