AUNT PAT POPULAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21085, 11 July 1938, Page 5

AUNT PAT POPULAR

FANCY DRESS PARADE Aunt Pat (Miss Maynard Hall) who has conducted the children’s sessions from 3YA for a long time, attracted hundreds of children and parents to the show in the afternoon. In fact, the adults evinced as much interest as did the younger folk. An added attraction for the children was a fancy dress parade, in which some very novel and striking costumes were seen. The judge was Mrs Nelson Wright, and she had some difficulty in making her awards.

Aunt Pat found herself in a familiar atmosphere when she spoke to the gathering through a microphone. She spoke to the children for some time in a most entertaining way, and then addressing the parents, said that she had received many requests to discipline the children over the air. The requests were along the lines of “Johnny, bring in the coal for mother” or "help sister do the dishes," but she had made a point never to do this, as she did not consider it her duty or place to do. It was for the parents to train their own children. She illustrated her point by mentioning the case of a little Chinese boy who was taken before the Court for not going to school. When asked why he did not go, his father had said that it was not the boy’s fault but was his, because he had not taken sufficient interest in the boy and made him go to school.

Aunt Pat said also that she was leaving New Zealand shortly, but she would be coming back. She would never forget the sight of the mountains as she had come down from Christchurch in the train that morning. They had appeared beautiful, steadfast and firm, and she exhorted the children to display those qualities in relation to their God, King and country. Before attending the show. Aunt Pat visited the children's ward at the Public Hospital, where she spent a pleasant period with the inmates. The awards in the fancy dress parade were:— Best fancy dress, 2 to s—John Denley (Singing Cowboy) 1, Mprie Dockerell (Shirley Temple) 2, Michael Forbes (soldier) 3. Most original costume, 2 to s—Lesley

Griffiths (Harmonica Band) 1. Helen Parker (Teapot) 2, Dawn Bellam (Bell

Best fancy dress, 7 to 9—Patty Fitzharris and Thelma Lyons (Babes in the Wood) 1, Jocelyn Hobbs (Carnival) 2, Rita Granger (Pink Fairy) 3. Most original costume, 7 to 9—Peter Hopkinson (Aulsebrook’s Chocolates) 1, Bell Power (The Apple Man) 2, Olga Bellam (Gold Leaf Tea) 3. Best fancy dress, 10 to 13-—Barbara McLean (Cheek to Cheek) 1. Bruce Ball (Pirate) 2, Pamela Blodorn (Old Fashioned Lady) 3.

Most original costume, 10 to 13— June and Daphne Nicol (Laurel and Hardy) 1. Trevor Griffiths (Parcel Post) 2, Gloria Gates (Gates Cleaner) 3.

CLOSING CEREMONY CL'PS PRESENTED The official closing ceremony, at which the first and second cups for the district “Bay’’ competition were presented by the Mayoress (Mrs W. G. Tweedy) was held on Saturday night, and was witnessed by a fairly large crowd. The president said that the function afforded him an opportunity of saying how much the Association was in-

debted to the ladies'who had taken an active interest in the conduct of the show. They fully appreciated the value of the district “bays” to the show, and many of them wondered just how they would get on but for the great interest evinced in this competition. On behalf of the executive, he extended sincere thanks and appreciation to tire districts which had competed. He congratulated the winners, and no less sincerely did he congratulate those who had not occupied winning places, for without their presence there would have been I no competition. The Association realised the tremendous amount of work put into all the "bays,” and he would not have liked to have had to judge them. Mackenzie were to be congratulated on having won at their first attempt. Mr Blodorn also expressed sincere thanks to the ladies who had conducted the arts and crafts section, which had been one of the features of the show. Mrs J. A. McLeod (Tycho) had led the ladies in a wonderful effort and the executive offered all concerned their deepest thanks. The president also thanked the members of the executive and the other committees who had worked so hard to make the show a success. The executive had that day been discussing many points which had arisen, and they would benefit considerably as a result of the show. They thanked everyone who had helped, and they looked forward to the future with confidence.

Workers Thanked Mrs McLeod expressed regret at the unfortunate absence of the president of the women's executive, Mrs T. W. Satterthwaite. The speaker went on to express her thanks to the ladies of the committee who, by their co-oper-ation during the past months, had nobly assisted her, first in compiling the schedule, then in choosing suitable judges, and finally In the task of receiving and laying out the multitude of exhibits. With these ladies she wished to include the members of the Timaru Branch of the Women's Division of the Farmers’ Union, and of the Townswomen’s Guild who came to then' assistance and acted as class stewards. She desired to thank specially Mr James Cleland for his most valuable assistance in supervising the erection of the stands for the arts and crafts section. Many others, in connection with the show, had endeavoured to lighten the work, and to them they returned special thanks. Mrs McLeod said that it might be Interesting to many present to learn that the exhibits in the various sections of the show were five in advance of the 1937—1800 last year and 1805 this year. They congratulated the prize-winners upon their successes; but they also gave a word of encouragement to all exhibitors, for, without their efforts, the women’s executive could not have filled the large portion allotted to them. Undoubtedly the ladies were responsible for the most popular features of the show, for besides the

arts and crafts, they had the district “bays” under their supervision. Last year five "bays” competed—Waimate winning the cup from the Levels, the 1936 holders, by a very narrow margin of a half point. This year, Waimate and Temuka dropped out and Mackenzie entered into the competition for the first time, and she was sure they must be very gratified with their success, which was gained with four points between them and the Levels, who again were placed second.

Mackenzie’s Success Mrs McLeod pointed out that each “bay” had the distinction of coming first in some section; St. Andrews led in arts and crafts, while Geraldine showed the best display in preserves and both tied for first place in garden produce. In reviewing the “bays." it was not difficult to account for Mackenzie’s success in catching the eye of the judges, for with such a wide tract of country, right back to the famous

“misty gorges,” the Mackenzie Country people would have been lacking in seizing their opportunity had they not brought down to the lowlands something that could not be produced elsewhere. One wondered if they would have acquitted themselves so creditably had they been situated in the vicinity of the Washdyke Lagoon and Saltwater Creek. Although they could not boast of being the granary of South Canterbury, they certainly showed the other “bays” how to display their oats and wheat to the best advantage. Possibly they, too, when comparing notes, would have learnt from experience where they could improve, and if Waimate, the fail- garden town, accepted the challenge for next year, they could look for a higher standard of efficiency than had yet been achieved. In conclusion, Mrs McLeod congratulated Levels upon their neat and effective display, which was reflected in the fact that they gained highest points for general appearance.

Cups Presented The cups were then presented by the Mayoress, who offered congratulations to the president and the executive on the excellent organisation of the show, and assured them that all fully realised the great asset the show was to the town and district. She congratulated the prize winners in the “bay” competition and thanked those who had competed unsuccessfully, not only in this competition but in all sections, for all had worked hard. She could assure competitors that the public had enjoyed seeing their work, and by competing they had made it possible for all to realise the great amount of talent there was in South Canterbury. She hoped they would compete again next year and induce their friends to do so. Mr C. J. Talbot accepted the cup on behalf of the Mackenzie “bay” committee. and said that they had been thrilled at having won. He would be proud to take the cup back, and they would certainly defend it next year. There had been an entire absence of envy or jealousy in the competition. Each had wished the other good luck, and that was the right spirit. He congratulated the other competitors and hoped that next year they would have Ito defend the cup against all the | districts in South Canterbury. I In accepting the second prize for the ' Levels “bay,” Mrs W. T. Taylor congratulated Mackenzie on their win, and I expressed appreciation of the assistI ance and consideration given them by the president and the executive. They had had to work under extreme difficulties and they appreciated all that had been done for them. Mrs McLeod expressed the appreciation of the executive to the organising committees of the St. Andrews and Geraldine “bays” on the sportsmanlike way they had accepted the judge’s decisions and for the good will shown in the days prior to the opening of the show. The Mayoress then presented bouquets to Mrs C. H. S. Johnston (St. Andrews) and Mrs E. S. Elworthy (Geraldine). The president concluded by expressing a hope that the pubic would support the show next year.