UNIQUE EMPIRE FAIR

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1926, Page 13

UNIQUE EMPIRE FAIR

Y.W.C.A. .GARDEN PARTY. No more fitting setting than Mrs. A. Alexander’s delightful garden at her homo in Weymouth Street, New Plymouth, could have 'been selected for trie Empire fair held on Saturday afternoon in aid of the Girl Citizens-’ conference and World Fellowship funds. It was a novel and ambitious undertaking and one could have wished that the weather had proved more favourable but, in spite of this the public, evidently anticipating something original in the way of entertainment, a tended in considerable numbers. They could not have been disappointed. The various stalls representative of the different countries comprising the British Empire and offering for sale the commodities particular to each, made a striking display and attracted many buyers. England, Ireland, Canada, Scotland, Wales, India and New Zealand were all represented. Gir| Citizens dressed in the requisite native costumes served at the different stalls. In consequence Maori wahines, Red Indian squaws, Highland lassies and Indian princesses all attired in the picturesque native costumes were in attendance. The variety of tempting goods offered for salo ranged from the cunningly-wrought Maori baskets and pois displayed at the Maoriland stall to the posies of flowers from an English garden at England’s stall. That no touch of realism might lacking, a wigam, in which were on view typical Canadian products, was erected alongside the Canadian stall. There were other attractions also. The green lawns were the stage upon which folk dancing, dance items by pupils of Miss Elwyn Riley and Shakespearean tableaux in costume were gracefully enacted. Progressive and golf croquet were also played. Miss Cole, who was responsible for the organisation of the fair, is to be congratulated upon the completeness of the arrangements. The following is a list of tho stallholders:—• England, Ireland and Wales.—Tamahine section, headed bv Misses Clegg and Hartnell. Scotland.—-Awhina section, headed by Miss Alexander. Canada.—Mahitika section, headed by Miss Hartnell. New Zealand. —Hoa section, headed by ■ Miss R. List. India.—Waiata section. Afternoon tea was in the hands of the Senior Club The-gross takings amounted to £37 ss.