CONVENT FETE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20484, 10 December 1934, Page 10

CONVENT FETE.

Building Fund Assisted by Effort. SISTERS OF THE MISSION. During the past two months the Sisters of the Mission have spent much time and energy in the organisation of their fete, which was opened on Saturday, and is continuing to-day and tomorrow. The Convent pupils have been divided into five houses, which are competing in the collection of funds for the Sisters’ Building Fund. The Cathedral parish is in charge of the houses, and members, with their many helpers, have worked indefatigably. During the past fortnight, garden parties, bridge evenings, concerts and other functions, have been held by the promoters of the various houses, to assist their funds.

Mr P. O’Connell has generously acted as secretary for the fete. Miss J. Crowley, Mrs J. E. Hall and Mrs D. O’Neil took the responsibility of being in charge of the Red House; Mrs L. M Beck, Gold House; Mrs Alex Forbes and Mrs J. Scanlan, Green House; Mrs Meagher, Blue House; and Mrs T. Aspell and Mrs A. Barrett, Pink House. Prior to the official opening, the children of the combined schools, dressed in their house colours, and preceded by decorated cars and lorries, marched from the Convent grounds to the Cathedral grounds, to the music of the Highland Pipe Band. The Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.), who opened the fete, was welcomed by the Rev Father P. Timoney, who congratulated the members of the parish and of neighbouring parishes on their generous assistance. lie thanked the Highland Pipe Band, the Woolston Band and Elaine Moody’s Band for their services.

After declaring the fete open the Mayor spoke of the educational and missionary work of the Sisters. He mentioned the thousands of pounds they save the Government, through the education of hundreds of children. To the Sisters and parishioners, he expressed his heartfelt wish for every success in their effort. In the absence of the Mayoress, the Mayor was presented with a bouquet by a small pupil. Stalls, side-shows and other forms of entertainment, arranged by the house committees, were situated in the grounds. A Maypole was danced by some of the pupils. In the evening the stalls were moved to the Cathedral Hall, which was elaborately decorated in the houses’ colours, by Mr W. J. Gates. The Woolston Band will play at the fete this evening, and Elaine Moody’s Steel Guitar Band, to-morrow evening.