ST. MARY'S PARISH FESTIVAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3225, 15 January 1886, Page 3

ST. MARY'S PARISH FESTIVAL.

Thore is one annual event at Timaru which is always looked forward to with anxiety and pleasure by the whole community, and more especially by tho younger branches who are all expectation. This is, as all our readers must be aware, the St. Mary's Parish Festival. All the previous festivals havo beon a decided success, and havo reflected the greatest credit on those who hud tho management of them. Of eoureo the weather has a great deal to do with tho success of the festivals, and the weather yesterday was all that could havo been desired. Long before the hour appointed for starting, the streets m the vicinity of tho School Church woro thronged by young and old. nil wending their way to the church By eleven o'clock, fully ft thousand must havo been m waiting, nnd after listening to a short address by the Yen. Archdeacon Harper, the children, to tho number of about 800, were marshalled into lino, and being headed by tho Timaru Garrison Band, m charge of SergeantMajor Klgen, and under tho leadership of Bandmaster Hord, a start was mado for the trysting plnce. The children, as thoy inarched through the streets with banners, banncreltca and (lags, and to tho Btirring music of the Band, formed a most enchanting eight, and ono not soon to bo forgotten. The march to tho ground proved a rather long ore to tho younger children, but once there they soon dispersed, and m a very few minutes were scampering about as happy ns possible. Soon after their arrival Mrs VVoollcombe's branch of tho Sunday School came on to the ground. The ground chosen this year for holding the festival on was acknowledged by nil to be ono of tho best, if not tho best, that could bo found around I iniaru. It is within easy walking distance of town, and what was more enjoyed by ull was tho splendid view of the harbor and town to the south, the mountains and downs to the west and tho Ninety Mile Beach stretching as far as tho eye could reach to tho north, that was obtained from the ground and many were heard to remark that thoy did not think there was such fine scenery around Timaru. The afternoon being a fine one and a half-holiday being observed m town by tho shopkeepers a xcry large number of townspeople strolled out to tho grounds, and it was estimated that there must havo been fully 3000 people present. The light tints of the sim.mer dresses worn by ibo joung ladies looked very pleasing, and their wearers' constant flitting about added to the youngsters' bright and happy appearance nindc tho scene a most animated ono. Tho first thing to attract tho visitor's attention on entering the ground was the excellent arrangements that h:id been made to provide for the comfort and enjoyment of the mimy who were present, (•our largo marquees hud been erected, m one of which was stored away an abundant supply of edibles betides piles of jugs, mu^s and cups. It may bo of interest to mention that li if) loaves of bre;id, 2e«t of ham, and about 7 lb of butter wero used to m ko the sandwiches for lunch, and about 5000 buns for ten, while m the drinkable line some 40ib of tea and 15 ' qtturts of milk were used. The tea wus boiled m eight large boilers. There were nl?o two large refreshment tents — ono where the teachers, Band and those managing the Festival were supplied gratis, and the other where for a small consideration tho public could havo a wide choice from the various viands most tastefully laid out before them, together with a delicious c p of tea. This tent was presided over by Mrs Hiusel and quito a bevy of ladies, and it is quito unnecessary to sny that it was well patronised. Close to tho other?, but m a moro conspicuous position, stood the bazaar tent, and on its counters and around its sides were arranged a most promiscuous ' assortment of fancy goods. Mcsdame3 Cooper, Stubbs, Shirteliffe, Ilullimore, Wilson, Perry, Warren, and Miss Lovegrovo presided at this tent, and were mo3'. ably assisted by a number of young Indies, who were most indefatigablo m disposing by ralUc and otherwise of the various articles on view. Taken altogether a very fair business must havo beendono at tho bazair, if we may judge by tho way it was thronged all day. At this tent were on view two beautifully chased cups and two clock?, presented by tho Ten. Archdeacon Harper and the Rev. Mr Hrittain to the winners of the senior and junior steeplechases and tho senior and junior choir boys races, and nlso a handsomo cabinet, prrsented by Mr Drummond, to bo drawn for by the teachers, and which was won by Mr Alfred Uaigh. Three double swings hid been erected, and ns may bo imagined they wore not allowed to stand idle. But to retain to tho hungry children. By tho time they had had a cood run round lunch was waiting for tbcm, and to the number of 1000 they formed an immense ring and heartily enjoyed tho good things provided. When all had assuaged their appetite and thirst a start was made with the various games. An excellent programme* hid been drawn up, and comprised races, &c. for girls and boys. Mr Robins nnd the Misses Pearson, Qooch and Bamficld had the looking after of tho girls' games, whilo Messrs Qeo. Cole, R. Ilaigh and Critic; did similar duty with respect to the boys', and worked most assiduously m getting off the various races. The various events wo c well contested, especially the senior and junior steoplechases, and most of tho finishes of the races were closo ones. The Yen. Archdeacon was, as usual, most indefatigable m his efforts to make all and everyone Imppy, and to his untiring efforts was to a great extent due the success of tho affair. When all tho younger folk had become tired with their games, an adjournment was made for tea to which about 1200 sat down. Every ono having refreshed themselves, tho games, races, etc., wcro continued till about eight o'clock, when tho Yen. Archdeacon Harper presented the prizes to the successful winners, and congra tulated each one on thoir success. Tlio procession was then reformed, and, headed by the Band, a si art was mado for the church aguin. Arrived there, tho children, after giving three hearty eheera for tho Archdeacon, and everyone concerned, dispersed to their respective homes, each ono having thoroughly enjoyed his or herself. In conclusion, wo must not forget to mention that tho Garrison Band played a number of their choicest selections when on the ground, m their well known finished style, nnd added considerably to the enjoyment of everyono present. Tho following nro tho results of tho games : — OtBIS' QAMB3. Running, 100 yards (*1 to 14)— C. Scoringo 1, N. ' ameron 2. Walking, 100 yards (10 to 11), schools only, — E. Kerr 1 , M. Uricn 2. Running, 100 yards (12 to 16) — M. Curtin 1, M. Harris 2. Walking, 100 yards (6 to 10)— A. Mills 1, Nellie Lane 2. Running, 200 yards, Mrs Luxmooro's school— L. Ihomsou 1, N. Lano 2. 15D Yards (up to 16), school only — E. ICerr 1, J. Ellis 2. Walking, 50 yards (any ago) — L. Guruev 1, A. Hegarty 2. Running, 100 yards (up to 14), Waimataitai school— E. Scorings 1, A. Waugh 2. Running, 200 yards (10 to 16), school only — N. Cameron 1, A. Brien 2. Running, 200 yards, up to 14 (outsiders only) — Jane Adamson 1, A. Harris 2. Walking, 100 yards (Lower school) — M. Martin 1, i£. Stirling 2. Running, 150 yards, (up to 12) school only — J. Ellis 1, O. Mailing 2. Walking, 200 yards (up to 18)— S. Hall 1, L. Thomson 2. Infants, 100 yards (Lower school)— G. Watkins 1, E. Dupree 2. Crab Race, backwards, 100 yards (any age) — B. Mayer 1, M. fierce 2. Consolation, 100 yards— E. Harris 1, E. McGUI2. . Kunning, 100 yards, special prizo presented by Mr Dupreo (children up to 9 years) — J. Adatnaon 1, JV Fuller 2. 1 Running,' 100 "yards, special prize presented

by Mr Dupree (up to 14)— E. Kerr 1, M. Webb 2. Bors' (Jambs. 100 Yards Race (under 10)— D. Fraser 1, Alex. McKenzie 2. 100 Yards Race (under 12)— L. Wilcox 1, E. rrwin 2. i 100 Yards Race (undor IG)— A. Boyes 1, T. Drurainond 2. Manx Race, 100 yards (under 11) — J. Butler and J. Bruce 1, E. Shappere and W. Oborn 2. Vaulting with Polo (under 15)— J. Peattie 1, H. E. I'hilp 2. Special prizo presented by Rev. A. Brittain for Boys m it. Mary's Church Choir (treble), 450 yards. Ostler 1, a. Stubbs 2. Running High Jump (under 12)— I?. Sims 1, Jas. Robertson 2. Special Prize Senior Steeplechase, about J niilo (under 20.) —H. Powell 1, A. Haigh 2. Runninu' Long Jump (under 12) — H. Dupreo 1, J. Bagust2. ■Special Prize, Junior Steeplechase, about -J milo— T. Drummond 1, X. Cole 2, H. Dupreo 3. Special prize presented by Rev. A. Brittain, for Senior Choir Race. 450 yards— Q-. Colo 1, F. Bourn 2 450 Yards Raco (under 1 t) — W. Trilford 1, A. Mills 2. 450 Yards Raco (over 14)— G. Hickoy 1, G. Trilford 2. Walking Race, 450 yards (under 17)— R. Butcher 1, D. McKcn/.'ic 2. Vaulting with Pole (over 15) — W. Dowo 1, K. Trilford 2. Running High Jump (under 17) — A. Austin 1, Jones 2. Novelty Race, 100 yards (under 16) — A. Jones 1, C. Fauvcl 2. Novelty Race, l'O yards (under 16)— W. McAuslin 1, A. Boyes 'I. Running High jump (up to 20)— Q-. Colo 1, W. Dawo 2. Consolation Race, 100 Yardß (for boys not having reccivod a first prize) — fi. bhappcro 1, A. Mills 2. Consolation Raco, 100 yards (for boy* not having received a first prize) — J. Thomson 1, "<. Fleming 2.