VOLUNTEER FETE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5777, 22 January 1897, Page 4

VOLUNTEER FETE.

The sports organised by the volunteer companies of Timaru to raise funds to pay for additions to theu* drillshed came off yesterday on the show ground, Wai-iti Eoad, and were a gratifying success. The sports were a secondary feature of -the gathering to a display .of tableaux and decorated vehicles, these forming a long procession which perambulated the show ground twice during the afternoon. A portion of them proceeded in procession through the town in the morning, and drew a great crowd into the streets. Amongst the tableaux, the prizes were awarded to Mrs T. Jones's floral " Brittania and Possessions," represented by various types of Imperial soldiery, and to Colour-sergeant Higgins's "War,", which included a soldier's camp equipage, as well as a variety of soldiery. " Zealandia," and a number of flower girls represented "Peace" in another case. An original design was " Nansen," by Mrs Cowan, which the judges praised for originality, but it lacked detail to distinguish it from a general. Arctic tableau. The Timaru lifeboat with crew was a prominent item in the procession. The '* May Queen" and her court, in two four-in-hand vehicles with gay outriders, were also an important item. There were about a dozen florally decorated vehicles, and as many bicycles. There was good competition in the class for tradesmen's carts, the prizes being awarded to B. Gilchrist and M. Coxon (Geaney and Co.), both butchers. Messrs M'Donald and A. Dorm took first prize for buggy, Mr T. Thomson second. Miss Hay was first fpr bicycleß. M^g %_ V q_\ sec.___. I"_______en-s go-carts and perambulators much taste was shown, and much labour expended in turning out pretty arrangements. Mrs E. Guinness took first prize and Mrs Tyrrell second. In various devices Mrs Wolfe won first prize for an arrangement, "Oberon and Titania," a fairy go-cart turnout, with, fairy team ; Mrs Beckingham's buggy, transformed into "The Old Woman's Shoe," was second. Another notablo item was Mr E. Holdgate's schooner-rigged bicycle. There were also a tableaux of Maypole dancers, groups of shepherdesses and milkmaids, one of the C Battery's field guns, horsed and manned, and an engine and reel, with firemen. * In connection with the enterprize an amateur circus is being held for three nights in the drill-shed, which has been well-fitted up for the purpose. The performance includes a variety of circus work and a representation of DickTurpin's ride. The circus was crowded on the first night (Wednesday), and the performance was highly appreciated.