PRINCE OF WALES' BIRTHDAY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8626, 12 November 1889, Page 2

PRINCE OF WALES' BIRTHDAY.

Monday was observed in town as a general holiday in place of Saturday, on the occasion of the Prince of Wales' Birthday. The weather was splendid — ;i trifle hot perhaps — but still not so much as to deter people from indulging in outside sports. PICNICS wore numerous, the pleasure seekers leaving town in parties early in the morning, and going to well-known picnic grounds in the country. One party chose " The Meeting of the Waters," another Tikorangi, and many attended a large picnic held at Oakura. A party of sightseers journeyed to Parihaka, and wiled away the day there in seeing the "lions " of the native village, and in buying up curios. On the whole the picnicers had a good time of it. BOWLING. On the green in Brougham-street the bowlers mustered well, and had some good practice, the green being in capital playing order. The now members are getting on amazingly at the game, and some of them give promise of making first-class players. CRICKET was the game on the racecourse, where the members of the newly-formed New Plymouth Club rolled up, and had a scratch game, which proved to be very enjoyable. Sides were chosen by Messrs T. Hall and Orbell, the latter's team scoring 34 only, and the former's about 170 for five wickets. THE VOLUNTEERS paraded at 6 o'clock under Colonel Stapp, , and afterwards put in their annual volley and independent firing. The other officers present at parade were Major Ellis, Captain Bayley, Lieuts. Okey and Cock. Some i class hring was also gone through. THE PRESBYTERIAN BAZAAR at the Alexandra Hall was, of course, the attraction in the evening, a verj 1 large number of persons patronising it. The Mayor formally opened the bazaar at halfpast 2 o'clock in the afternoon with a few appropriate remarks, in the presence of a fair number of persons. The Rifles Band were in attendance, and played the marches " Paragon " and " Q.C. and R. 8 ." outside, and the waltz " Summer Showers " and " Chimes of Normandy " inside the Hall. A fair amount of business was transacted during the afternoon, but in the evening the attendance was very large, and the indefatigable efforts of the lady stallholders and their assistants soon cleared the tables. The hall was prettily decorated with ferns and nikaus, which gave a cool and refreshing appearance to everything. The stalls were six in number, three on each side of the hall, with seats in the centre of the space between. The first stall was presided over by Mrs J. Paul, assisted by Mrs J. McKenzie, Mrs T. Hall, and Miss Yates. The goods displayed here were nicely arranged, there being a good variety of serviceable' as well as fancy goods. Tea cosies, cushions, a handsome hand-painted bracket, were noticeable articles. The centre piece on the stall was a stylißhly-dressed doll, whicli had been lent by Mr B. Weale, who brought it from the Paris Exhibition. On the opposite side to this was No. 2 stall, which was in charge of Mrs Cottier, «ho was assisted by Misses A. Jackson, E. Cottier, and Collis. The goods here were as varied as on the first stall, and consisted of fancy and serviceable articles. A handsome epergne set off the stall. A prettily-worked newspaper bag, the work of Mrs S. Smith, was greatly admired. The ladies at this stall were very successful in disposing of their wares. The next stall to this was presided over by Mesdames T. Brash and A. Morton, who were assisted by Misses M. McDonald, B. Andrews, and H. arid M. Allen. The articles shown were numerous and good, and the ladies were kept busily employed all the evening in vending them. The vis-a-vis of tliis stall was in charge of Mesdames Davis, and G. Corney, who had occasional assistance. A very pretty toilette table set, a handsome wall pocket, footstools, cushions, etc., were articles that especially attracted the eye. Next in order was the refreshment stall, which was under the rule of Mesdames R. Jury, Grylls, sen., J. Way and A. Mofflin. The eatables and drinkables were good, and in abundance, the former being given gratuitously by Mr W. Black, and the latter by Mr J. Paul. A wedding cake made a very good centre article for the table. Last, but not least, came the provision stall — a novelty at bazaars. This was presided over by Miss Flight, Mesdames W. Giddy, R. Wells, and Misses K. Jury, J. Andrews, and L. Kelly. The articles — which consisted of ham, bacon, butter, potatoes, etc. — were mostly contributed by the people of Huirangi. A plate, on which were pats of butter worked into different shapes, attracted considerable attention, the present being from Mrs W. Rowe, of Huirangi. On the stage stood a Christmas tree, which was loaded with toys and useful articles for children. Mrs Ambridge, assisted by Misses Wade and Blair, was in charge of the tree, which soon got stripped of articles by the constant demand of numerous children for toys. On the stage a shooting gallery was also arranged, and by this means articles on the stalls were fired off, thus dispensing with the raffle system. Messrs A. Morton and J. Hislop ran the show, and the Rev. Mr Grant gave occasional assistance. THE CONCERT in the side room was a great succcbb, many being unable to obtain admission, bo great was the demand on the seating accommodation. The programme submitted was an excellent one, and gave every satisfaction to the audience. Mrs Malone, of Stratford, played two pianaforte duets during the evening in a most finished manner. In the song "My Sweetheart when a Boy," Mr Churton was heard to advantage. Mrs Woetman, who appeared as a vocalist for the first time at a concert here, sang Pinsuti's " White Wings " in a most pleasing manner, and won deserved applause. Mr Simms, who was also new to a New Plymouth audience, sang" The Angel at the Window." He is possessed ot a baritone voice of power and quality, and, although he acquitted himself well, still the room was not at all favorable for sound, and he was, therefore, placed at some disadvantage. The song "The Old Cathedral " was effectively rendered by MisB Blair. Mr Flavahan won an imperative encore in " The Pilgrim of Love," and in response he gave "The Death of Nelson." This gentleman's voice is a splendid tenor, and while ho romains in New Plymouth it is to bo hoped that he will be heard at all our concerts. Mrs T. Hall's song, " The Old Lock," was well received. The accompaniments were played by Mr Garry, Mrs A. B. Fookes, and Misses Brigham and Yatea. The piano used was an Eavestaff, and was kindly lent by Mr Cokor. The proceeds of the conceit amounted to £7 9s 3d. The gross proceeds of the bazaar were £100 us 2d, a result which must be most satisfactory to the ladies who so zealously took the matter in hand a few months back. Valuable assistance was given the ladies by several gentlemen, all of whom worked hard to assist in every way to make the bazaar v financial success.

To Whiti, it appears, got severely burnt in the recent fire at Parihnka. It seems that the prophet was on top of a burning whare endeavoring to extinguish the liaiucs when the roof fell in, and precipitated him among the burning matter- He got liis legs severely burnt; and was obliged to go about for some time with a blanket only gir^d rpund him.