FLORAL FETE

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XXIV, 14 December 1895, Page 729

FLORAL FETE

Tt iHWi!

1893

Committee of Management : Colonel HaulTain (President), Rev. Canon Nelson (Vice-President), F. G. Ewington (Hon. Secretary), Mr William Thorne (Hon. Treasurer). Ladies’ Committee : Mrs Nelson (President), Mrs Campbell (Hon. Sec), Mrs Cowie, Mrs Haines, Mrs Goodall, Mrs Pritt, Mrs McKean, Mrs Lindsay, Mrs Ashwell, Mrs Moss Davis, Mrs Dawes, Mrs Stewart, Mrs Kinder.

_ T _ FEW weeks ago the Auckland Ladies’ Benevolent ' 7 (wi Society were called up to I' \\ TP face an unpleasant and unfortunate fact. The winter, V I then tardily taking .its l~ departure, had been one _r~ I 1 °f t^le longest and wettest T./-A wfa » ~~L . | I ever known in the colony, "44, an( J t h e g oc i et y Jj af l j tS hands more than usually full, so that at the time we have mentioned it found itself at the end of its financial tether. The question was how to raise funds ? At last an inspiration—really it was little less—came to one of the most prominent members. ‘ Let us,’ she urged, • have a Floral Fete such as they have at Nice and at the Botanical Society in London.’ So it was decided. Of the success it achieved, it is scarcely necessary to speak. Nothing to compare with it has ever been known in Auckland. The momentous day dawned all too perfectly. It was a matchless morning, and high hopes must have been entertained of a perfect day. But, alas ! before nine the sky became overcast, and the prospects of a bright sunshiny afternoon became sorrowfully remote. However, the rain held off, and the clouds floated high, so that everyone hoped for the best, and decorations were proceeded with apace. Long before noon the road which led to the show ground was busy with flower-bedecked vehicles laden with huge bundles and baskets of flowers and greenery, the evident desire being to put the finishing touches to the exhibits on the ground, and thus lessen the danger or damage in transit. Mishaps, of course, there were. There was, for instance, a tandem which never turned up. The leader became obstreperous,and the wheeler being annoyed in turn, backed the heavily beflowered vehicle into the hedge. A hot and dustv young man struggled and did his best to set things right, and a lady stood afar off and scolded. It was useless. She might as well have been nice and sympathised. The trap was not got out of the hedge till the flowers were completely ruined, and it returned sorrowfully to town. As one o’clock drew near the ground rapidly filled, and the sight-seers began to arrive by hundreds and thousands. The burgesses of Auckland and their wives, their sisters, their cousins, and their aunts, not to mention the children, seemed determined for once to take the advice of Horace and to cry— Hence sordid care, hence idle sorrow. Death comes apace, to-day—to-morrow ; Then mingle mirth with melancholy. Wisdom at times is found in folly ! and to set out and enjoy themselves for this day at least, whatever worries and troubles there might be in the future. Amongst the exhibitors all was now in the old phrase ‘ bustle and confusion. ’ Dainty little flower-decked maidenscareeredhereandthere with tiny bouquets elaborating designs, and putting final touches to the decorations of their carts ; the decorated dogs growled and attempted to fight whenever a chance offered ; and agarlanded pig kept up an intermittent squealing which drowned the

impassioned pleadings of the judges that the go-cart exhibitors would range themselves in procession for the judging. And now, while this important duty was being transacted, some of us found it well to take a general view around. Fears were once entertained that the public would not rise to the occasion, that exhibitors would not know what was required of them. Surely no one on the ground on Saturday afternoon was not more than satisfied, was not absolutely astonished at the completeness with which the idea of the floral jfle had been grasped, and the splendour with which it was carried out. There can never be again any need to go to European papers for illustrations of the type of decorations required. The taste, the originality, the constructive skill displayed in Auckland was a surprise and delight to all. It surprised and delighted none more than those whohave seen the greatfloral /cfesatNice and Paris. Potter’s Paddock has indeed seen many fine sights, but certainly never one more novel or more beautiful than this. The grandstand was densely packed. Not an inch of standing or sitting room was left. The majority of those there were ladies, and so bright and varied were the colours of the dresses that the stand from a distance presented the spectacle of a huge bank of brilliant flowers, an impression which added considerably to the tout ensemble of the gay scene. ■On the green enamelled sward ' were gathering every description of gaily-decked vehicles, some falling into their places to await the word of the stewards, and to be ready to promenade before the judges ; others, less conscientious, driving about and admiring each other’s vehicles. What a splendid sight it was ! Dog-carts, drays, buggies, tandems, tax-carts, waggonettes, all beautified and decorated out of know ledge to be seen on every side. Herrick might well have been there to sing, as he did for the hock cart, 1 Come forth, fair daino and ace the eart Dressed up with all the country's art.' It was, indeed, impossible to know which way to look. One’s eye was distracted by the profusion, and each car seemed lovelier than the last. What an incredible expenditure of time and patience these exquisite results must have entailed. For in a matter of this sort there is no effect produced without an infinitude of care. ' If little labour. little are our gains. Man's fortunes arc according to his pains.

at one moment one was captured as some smart pony trap enamelled with flowers • Present their shapes, while fantasy discloses Millions of lilies mixed with roses.' These swinging by at a smart trot, one's attention was turned from them to some huge brake ' Full of fresh verdure and unnumbered flowers,' from whose garlanded and silken Lowers looked out the laughing faces and bright eyes of the beauties of an age gone by—an age of powder and patches revivified on this occasion for our delectation. Anov a troupe of cyclists swept around us, the noiseless safeties gaily bedizened with flowers, and many of the riders in fancy or comic costume. One had rigged up his machine as a yacht with remarkably good effect, and another had almost covered his machine with exquisite white tiger lilies. This gentleman, we noticed, by the way, caught the judge's eye later on, and received, as he well deserved to do, the first prize. • Colours go and colours come.’ Frenzied press men rushed wildly about, vainly attempting to glean information as to entries and prizes ; stewards with their red cross badges galloped excitedly hither and thither, endeavouring, with little success, to make the traps, buggies, and carriages fall into their proper positions. And let it here be said that, though the organising power of the committee was perhaps none of the best, it was the irresponsibility of the exhibitors which caused much of the confusion. Photograph fiends there were by the score. The Graphic specials ran alternately hither and thither in the altogether hopeless task of endeavouring to secure shots at the vehicles of first prize winners. The crowd always desired to be in the picture, and though perfectly good-natured and kindly, they flatly refused to listen to the continued plaint of the unfortunate photo fiends, ‘Stand back there, please.’ ‘ Do, please, stand back there, ladies and gentlemen.’ Nevertheless, by infinity of patience these gentlemen did get some very successful pictures, as is amply proved by the reproduction therefrom on this and other of these pages. But enough of generalities. It was high time to push our way to the grandstand and attempt to see something of what the judges were doing. This proved impossible, but a space was secured lower down. THE GO-CARTS had passed, and very beautiful they were—masses of flowers most delicately arranged with lovely childish faces to set them off. The task of judging must have been very severe. Mrs Cheeseman’s boat, exquisitely embowered in flowers, was very original, but even more beautiful was Miss Purchas’ cart—a delicious harmony in yellow. Mrs L. Bloomfield’s Japanese jiniksha was well worthy of the place it gained. All in this class were indeed excellent. Beautiful carts were shown by Mrs Stone, Miss Goldie, Miss Whitney (with cart drawn by dog), Miss Clark, Miss Jessie Webster, Miss Doris Tewsley, Mrs T. Wood, Mrs Kernott, the Misses Haslett, Nelson and Tibbs, Miss Merven Rattray, Master Bubba King, Master Gorrie, Master Benford, Mrs Archie Clarke, Mr Mackay, Miss Crofts, Mrs Ehrman, Mrs Burton. The PERAMBULATORS WITH BABIES were naturally the object of absorbing interest on the part of the fair sex. A lovely arrangement in maidenhair and white, with a beautiful child ensconsed, took first prize in Mrs Duncan Clarke’s name, the second falling to Mrs Ward. Other exhibitors were Mrs Thompson and Mrs Elliot. THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL CART. hollowing this came one of the prettiest of the day’s exhibits —a hand-cart exquisitely decorated and drawn by some twenty girls clad in white fancy dresses and picture hats. Inside this cart sat representatives of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Doud and long was the applause which greeted this exhibit, of which a picture is given. Amongst the ORIGINAL CONVEYANCES, some of which paraded about this time, was a Maori canoe exhibited by MrsCoombe Baker, drawn by children dressed in Maori costume. Seated in the canoe was the gravest and most dignified of very juvenile rangitiras. This was one of the most original, and certainly one of the best worked-out ideas of its class, and well worthy of the first prize. The May Queen and her retinue —the cart covered with roses drawn by about thirty children —was extremely pretty, and a very good idea, and evoked loud applause from the stand. Another very pretty notion was that of Mrs Ivan Clarke—a tiny yacht on wheels with children drawing it dressed to represent marguerite daisies, which was the chief feature in the decorations. A picture of this exhibit is given amongst our illustrations. It gained the second prize in its class. A small whaleboat was mounted on a decorated trolly, and inside the boat was a crew of boys in the Club uniform. The manifest endeavour of

the Club was to send an exhibit which should keep them well before the public, and for this the West End Rowing Club must be warmly commended. Their efforts were crowned with success, a special prize being awarded them. What were St. George’s and Auckland about that they did not have their 1 cruiser ’ there ? Mrs Calder entered a bath chair ; the Band of Hope Union, a life-boat ; Master Cruicksbank, a dog and cart ; Mrs Davis, an invalid chair ; Misses Mary and Phyllis Davis, dog and cart ; Mr Benford, a palanquin ; Miss Gorrie, a boat ; and Mrs Kilgour, the May Oueen and retinue, of which something has been said elsewhere. It is impossible to give even a brief description of these exhibits. All deserved praise, and all were worthy of prizes had there been prizes for all. Dogs and carts were en evidence, and won considerable applause, besides creating endless amusement. CHILDREN’S PONIES were not judged till later in the afternoon, but may well be discussed and dismissed here. The boys’ class was enormous, and had to be divided into juniors and seniors. The first honours fell to Master S. M. Lewis, whose saddle cloth of green and marigold was most artistic. Master M. Pierce came second, and Master Leo Walsh third. In the juniors Master Dignan, with pink and white saddle cloth, was first, Master Ransom second, and Master Gorrie third. All these were excellent. Amongst the girls Miss Eileen Gallagher, in blue and white, daisies and cornflowers, carried off first prize. Miss Speight, ofParnell, beingthedecoratoranddesigner. Miss Bloomfield’s wasunquestionably one of the prettiest there. The child herself, her pony, and the flower decorations were all in harmony, and certainly she and her steed divided with the first and second prize-winners the admiration of the crowd. Miss E. Tylden scored second honours in this class, and well deserved them. Other entries in this class were Masters James Dickey, A. S. Rose, Walter S. Mill, Templeton Reid, Sellars, Charlie Herrold, D. Gorrie, J. Gorrie, F. Brown, T. Hull, M. Pierce, Thos. M. Lewis, Edwin Bamford, Jack Buckland, Rosser, Nelson Morrin, Allen Tighe, George Tighe, F. Martin, Mrs McArthur, Misses Hilda Morrin, Logan, Goring, Whistler, Ida Percival, E. Rae, A. Watkins, Skelton, Brookfield and G. W. Owen. Before passing to the larger vehicles let the place of honour it so richly merited be given to THE MAYOR’S CARRIAGE. As a specimen of the larger type of exhibits, and take it for all in all, it was a credit to the Mayor and to the city. It was without doubt one of the most effective, most decorative vehicles on the ground, and the turn-out would have done credit to any city in the world. Drawn by four splendidly caparisoned horses, the Mayor’s landau was an admirably designed and excellently carried-out scheme in red and white. The arrangement of the flowers was altogether remarkably artistic, and the result beyond criticism. No photo can do justice to this, or in fact to any of the exhibits, since colour played so important a part in them, but our picture gives some idea of the beauty of the design and the completeness of the arrangement. TWO-HORSE VEHICLES. There were not many entries in this class, but assuredly that which took first prize was one of the most interesting on the ground. Miss Horne had arranged her carriage as if it were owned by some ladies of a Cairo harem. It was greatly admired. Inside the carriage sat the ladies of the harem, and in attendance was the Sais or runner. The ladies’ costumes were those familiar to visitors to Egypt—black shawls with white muslin veils over the face. The Sais wore a huge white turban and yellow tassel, and the carriage was nicely decorated in three shades of yellow. Mrs Cowan’s conveyance was decorated very nicely, the arrangement being in the form of a basket of flowers. She gained second prize, and Mrs Kerr-Taylor’s waggonette was third. Approaching the description of the BRAKES AND DRAGS one may well falter. The difficulties of the position were felt by the judges. Here was a set of exhibits of altogether unusual and unlooked-for merit. They decided to divide the class into two—one for drags, the other for waggonettes. Miss Thorpe and THE LADIES OF RHMUERA took first prize in the drag division, and nodescription in black and white can do justice to the high character of the taste displayed. The drag was simply covered in white, the horses being relieved with touches of red. From within the silken and beflowored bowers peered the pretty faces of a bevy of laughing damsels becomingly befrocked in white, with just a relieving touch of red and natural flowers in their picture hats. Over their heads fluttered a banner with the proud device, 1 Remuera,’ in gold letters. To have placed Ponsonby second to this—beautiful as it was—was, of course, out of the question, and the judges took the course alluded

to above and gave Ponsonby first prize in another class. It was hoped this would satisfy all, but it did not quite meet the case either. The verdict of the judges was scarcely that of the vast majority of the public. Miss Devore and the I’onsonby drag should unquestionably have been voted the first place for all. It was in almost every particular greatly superior to either Remuera or Parnell, though both of those drags were exceedingly pretty. But the Ponsonbyites had struck out by far the most original idea, and carried it out with far more completeness than shown in either of the other two. Here was represented an old time coach. There were postillions in red ; there was a bewigged and beflowered coachee, and inside there were lady passengers in powder and patches and the costume of the times. The whole

affair was indeed most complete. Unlimited care had been spent in thinking out the idea, and the result was satisfactory in the highest degree. The public regarded it as the most original exhibit of the day, and wherever it moved it attracted a crowd. The drag appears in more than one of our photos, and some idea of its novelty and general effectiveness may be gained therefrom. Miss Devore and her friends must be most warmly congratulated. Their achievement was a notable one. The drag was driven by a gentleman with the historic name of John Gilpin. Messrs Basil Calder and John Brigham were the smart postillions, and the gay little groom or footman was Master Charlie Stokes. The waggon was lent by Mr J. J. Craig. Parnell, a symphony in crimson and white with crimson flags, came in for a very considerable share of admiration and

applause, and was a distinct credit to Miss Mowbray and the ladies who accompanied her. Dr. King, in the only real coach on the ground, made a fine show. It should be mentioned that Miss Thorpe took a second prize in the class created for the Ponsonby drag. It was somewhat overheavily decorated, but nevertheless looked handsome and effective. coster carts. Before the buggies came on, and their number was legion, we took the opportunity to examine closely the coster carts, which had already been judged, but which we had been unable to see by reason of the crowd. One of these must be pronounced a perfect picture. It was decorated entirely with pansies, and one ached to think of the trouble that its preparation must have entailed.

But it was worth it. If the labour had been twice as great it would have been worth it, for this was of tue smaller fry the most perfect of all exhibits, the perfection, indeed, of what artistic decorations should be. It aroused an immense amount of enthusiasm as it went by, and one heard on .all sides unqualified approval of the exquisite taste displayed. No description of its form need be given, as a photo appears herewith, and certainly as one looked on that superb mass of colouring one felt that words would also fail to do it justice. The sight of all those pansies reminded one of Herrick’s pretty fancy of how pansies or heartsease, as he calls them, came to exist. He says : Frolic virgins once these were. Over-loving, living here ; Being hero, their ends denied. Ran for sweel hearts mad and died. Love in nity of their tears And their loss in blooming years. For their restless loveless hours Gave them heartsease turned to flowers. Miss E. Brett was the exhibitor of this, and deserved the highest praise for her energy and taste. It was driven by Miss Ethna Pierce, a dainty, smiling little lady robed in white. It was accompanied by a real live coster in true coster costume, and one who might have stepped out of one of Chevalier’s songs for the occasion. He was undoubtedly one of the favourites of the day. Mrs Haines, coster cart, with a Pierrot in attendance, was also quite admirable. It was composed of rosesand choice flowers, and was admirably arranged with a marvellous crown and cupola, from under which peeped the mischievous faces of the driver and his companion, Master and Miss Lewis, son and daughter of Dr. Lewis. Mrs Haines' cart was greatly eulogised, and she deserves great credit for its unqualified success. Miss Flo Reach, with a verypretty design of Summer and Winter in England, took 3rd prize As to the buggies and dogcarts, it is impossible to speak of them in detail. Let us. as a class, take the buggies first. There was not one that was not pretty. Mrs Tilly well deserved the prize she took. Her buggy (surely a Victoria phaeton, by the way) was a simple mass of pink geranium, and the effect was heightened and intensified by the costumes of the ladies who rode inside. Mrs Morrin came second, and Mrs Makgill and Miss Dargaville third. Miss Muriel Dargaville must be warmly congratulated on a daring, but exceedingly effective turn-out in deep vermillion and white geraniums, the whole of the interior being a glorious blaze of red flowers. Mrs J. C. Colbeck’s trap with nikau palms and tasteful decorative design was one of the most successful while Mrs Goring’s turn out, though quiet and unostentatious, attracted universal admiration by reason of the excellence of the taste displayed and the distinguished appearance of the occupants of the trap. Miss Percival's buggy, too. was very pretty—another symphony- in pink, and Mrs Morrin’s buggy found many admirers, the splendid horse driven adding greatly to the effect. Otherexhibitors were Mrs Crowther, Mrs Duncan Clarke, Miss Eva Percival. Miss V. Dowell. Mrs Browning, and Mrs Seccombe. Every buggy entered was. as has been said, worthy of prolonged attention, and the difficulties in the way of judging must have been extreme. Amongst THE DOG-CARTS Mrs G. R. Bloomfield carried off first honours. Her dogcart was decorated in pink and green, and she herself was gowned in pink and white to match those colours The tout ensemble was effective to a marked degree, and there is no doubt she thoroughly deserved the prize. But it was a question if she should not have been bracketed equal with the superb turn-out driven by Miss Ireland, a veritable creation in marigold, and from the artistic standpoint, incomparably one of the most beautiful of many beautiful things seen on that day. Whoever arranged that dog-cart, with its wheels of marigold, its rich ribbons to match, and the exquisite costumes in sympathy with the scheme of colour, was an artist in the highest sense of the word. It made a picture which for simplicity, and richness of effect could not have been eclipsed in any part of the world—a picture which the writer has certainly never seen equalled at any flower fete in Europe. The two were, indeed, of equal merit, for Mrs Bloomfield excelled in arrangement, and in the time and labour expended. Mr R. J. Thomas, in a dogcart decorated in pink, won a deserved third prize, Mrs Mahoney being bracketed equal. But i,t is useless to individualise in this class. All were good, and so many were in pink that to saymuch more is merely to repeat what has been said several times already. The following were the entries in this class :—Mrs G. R. Bloomfield, Dr. Erson, Miss Barton Ireland, Miss Henton, Miss Worsp Mrs Chatfield, Mrs Wingate, Mrs E. Mahoney, Mrs J. Edwards (tax cart), Mr R . J. Thomas, Mr C. Leys, Mrs Greenway, Mrs Mark ham, Mrs J. C. Smith. Mrs Enoch Wood, Miss Macfarlane, Mrs Kernott, and Miss Hazel Buckland. Several of these did not, however, come out in this class, but

amongst the gigs, and the exhibitors numbered about ten. In the gigs again there was much donbt as to which was the most effective and most artistic and beautiful. Miss Etty Ireland drove a light little gig completely arranged in white, and it was admitted on all hands to be a strikingly beautiful piece of work. The skilful manner in which this young lady handled the ribands was likewise the subject of general remark. The pony spun the trip along at a prodigious rate, and the trap and its occupant were accorded a very enthusiastic reception by the crowd. Mrs Firth ami Mr F. Winstone took the prizes. Mrs Firth’s arrangement in yellow was greatly admired. The wheels, springs, etc., were covered with . . . the yellow flowers. Children of the Harine: hours. Buttercups that will be seen, Whether we will see or no. And the effect was charming in the extreme. Miss Buckland’s gig was certainly one of the prettiest. It was a perfect bower of roses, which had been arranged with most admirable taste and infinite care. Mrs Smith’s gig was slightly overladen with colour, but as an example of painstaking decoration, it was exceedingly praiseworthy. The entries for the gig competition were Miss Etty Ireland Miss Reid and Miss K. McMillan, Miss Sellars, Mr F. Winstone, Mrs Bewes, and Dr. Purchas, junr., but as has been said, several from the dog-cart class preferred to show in this.

Taken as a whole, the trollies were scarcely things of beauty. The temperance people made a big effort to improve the shining hour with one of Mr J. J. Craig’s waggons with pictures of the evil effects of drink. The introduction of such pictures was in abominable taste, and this trolly was the only ugly and vulgar thing seen that day. The introduction of the temperance question on an occasion of this sort was but another example of the utter tactlessness which does so much to keep back the cause of temperance in this colony. The West End Rowing Club have been mentioned elsewhere. Theirs was, of course, far the best trolly. Nothing much can be said on behalf of the carts and express carts classes. The prizes in the former were taken by Mr Chapman first, and Mr E. W. Morrison second. Mr Ware was the only exhibitor in express carts, and of course took the prize. His cart was prettily decorated. I'OLO PONIES. The polo ponies were an excellent class, but everyone admitted that Mrs W. Bloomfield well deserved the prize she gained. The rug of white marguerites with which Mr Bloomfield’s clever-looking little nag was covered was a veritable work of art, and must have taken a very long time and an inconceivable amount of patience in its manufacture. Mr Chas. Purchas’ (and prize) and Mrs E. D. O’Rorke’s (3rd prize) ponies were also most tastefully decorated. hicyci.es and tricycles. These were divided into two classes. In the first there were two entries-—Miss Rica Goodall and Miss Jessie Webster. Both machines were very prettily decorated, and deserved prizes. In the second class, the adults, the entries were very numerous, and the display made by the representatives of cycling was altogether creditable to the wheeling fraternity. The comic costumes of several of those who took part in the * bike ’ procession provoked much laughter. Those who had rigged themselves up as the New Woman were greeted with outbursts of mirth wherever they went. The following were those who entered: —Messrs John Rendall, J. E. Skeates, P. T. Upton, James Whitelaw, S. Upton, Herman Schmidt, J. A. Peacock, G. A. Morton, Surman, H. Martin, 1,. Henning, W. M. Service, T. Inglis, Harrison, J. W. Browne, C. Gilbert, L. Hoffmann, R. G. Dacre, J. Selby, C. Waters, T. A. Patterson, T. Gould, H. Foster, Nicholl, C. Palmer, H. B. Gordon, A. G. Buchanan, Curteis, E. Trendell, H. Trendell, W. J. Dallen, and A. Foster. The first prize fell to Mr J. E. Skeates, the honour of decorating whose machine belongs to Mr Edward Turner, of Karangahane Road. That gentleman must be pronounced a connoisseur. The work was beautifully done, and the mass of lilies which filled in the entire body of the machine was exquisitely beautiful. The handles were in white and blue, showing the initials of the artist, and the wheels were effectively done in lilies and gladioli. Mr J. A. Peacock took second. Mr Jas. Whitelaw was placed third, and Mr Foster was very deservedly highly commended. PETS. It was an extremely difficult matter for the judges to make the awards. Several classes had proved puzzling, but how to deal with this, when each pet had an attraction of his own, was a problem few would have cared to face. Three prizes were given—Mrs H. N. Garland’s dog, Ist; Mr Rose 2nd for a dog ; and Miss Cashel for a Persian cat. 3rd. But it was felt at the time that no one in this class should be sent empty away. One pet is

just as good as another, and a great deal better in the eyes of the owner. It was therefore decided to give each exhibitor a memento of the occasion, and these can be obtained by those forwarding their names to Mrs Campbell. The pig might well have been awarded a special. He was a gentlemanlike fellow, and had no grave differences of opinion with his master, Mr E. Smerdon. A pink poodle, dyed, and owned by a very pretty young lady, excited some interest. One wonders, also, how he looked after the rain. FIRE ENGINE. The Auckland Fire Brigade were awarded a well-de-

served special for a tastefully-decorated hose reel and manual engine. PARASOLS. Those who entered for these prizes were : Miss Jessie Webster, Miss Rendall, Miss Owen, Miss C. Donald, Miss K. Williamson, Mrs Lyons, Miss Westwood, Miss A. Thompson, Miss J. Thompson, Miss G. Thompson, Miss E. Andrews, Miss M. Hesketh. The honour of first place fell to Miss A. Thompson, whose parasol was

certainly a work of art, and of remarkable beauty. Miss Hesketh ran a close second, and Miss Rendall third. All those who exhibited in this class showed taste, and many considerable ingenuity. COOKERY COMPETITION. In connection with the Fete the committee had arranged a cookery competition. The following has been furnished as the prize list in this department :—Special, for largest and best exhibits cooked by gas : Miss Rosa Beedell. Iced Cake : Special prize, Miss M. Fort. Plum Cake : Miss W. Kissling, 1 ; Miss Alice Harris, 2.

Sponge Cake : Miss Upton, 1 ; Miss R. Parsons, 2. Madeira Cake: Miss Binney, I. Jam Sandwich: Miss Muir 1 ; Mrs Hyatt, 2. Rainbow Cake : Miss F. Preece, I. Iced Cocoanut Sandwich : Miss Gregory, 1. Seed Cake: Miss Bain, 1. Pastry: Miss R. Beedell, 1. Scones: Mrs Hale, 1 ; Mrs Bruce, 2. Home-made Bread : Miss F. White. Sponge Squares : Miss A. Giilott, 1. Sweets: Miss Abbott, special prize for exhibit of 25 different kinds of sweets. Turkish Delight : Miss Nora Hay, 1. Cocoanut Ice : Miss Rosa Beedell, 1.

JUVENILE COMPETITION. Toffee: Miss Gubbins, aged 11 years, 1. Turkish Delight : Miss Cora Anderson, aged 14 years, 1. Plum Cake: Miss Effie Hanna, aged 13, 1. Rainbow Cake: Miss Cora Anderson I. Sponge Sandwich : The first prize was awarded to a competitor, aged 12 years, whose sole identification was the initials L.N.W. There is not much ‘ a mere man ’ can say of this competition saving that they were a considerable temptation to‘the Press’ who had been obliged tocometo the show before it was possible to get any lunch. Miss Rosa Beedell, who took the special prize, a fine gas stove, well deserved her honours. Her exhibit was a very creditable one. She has evidently the housewifely instinct, and many a man with a bad manager at home and a wretched cook must have envied the household where that stove will go. Miss Abbott’s sweets, too, deserve more than casual mention. They looked very good indeed, and were, moreover, nicely arranged. Miss Cora Anderson is a clever and promising cook for cakes. She took more than one first prize. Judging had now taken at least twice as long as was originally expected. It was approaching four, and there were yet no signs of the announced grand procession. Throughout the afternoon rain had threatened, and while the judging was yet incomplete it commenced to pour in a business-like way that made it evident that unless a miracle happened, and the rain supply was turned off abruptly, the Jete must be ruined midway. For some time both public and exhibitors struggled on bravely, and tried to ap pear as if they thought it might clear up shortly. The unfortunate children who were doing the Maypole dance persevered pluckily in the drenching wet, but the spectacle was not inspiriting, and as the violence of the downpour increased the patience of performers and onlookers was alike exhausted, and a break made for the friendly shelter of the sheds and stables. That was the beginning of the end. The judges descended from their posts, doubtless feeling as Coleridge felt when he wrote:— Oh rain, it you will but take your flight. Though you should come again to-morrow. And bring with you both pain and sorrow. Though stomach should sicken and knees should swell. I’ll nothing speak of you hut well: Hut only now for this one day. Do go, dear rain, do go away. But, alas ! the watery god would not be appeased. The rain increased in fury, and it quickly became evident that the only safety lay in flight. ’ ’Tis all over,’ said the Committee in despair. And then that dread order—an order never issued save in moments of tragedy—was given, the order— ‘ Sauve qui pent.' It was a cruel ending tooneof the most brilliant functionseverseeu in Auckland —a function which we hope to see become an annual fixture. To Mrs Nelson, Mrs Goodall, Mrs Haines, and the other ladies who took so arduous a part in arranging the affair the utmost credit must be given. Their task was one of the utmost difficulty, and the manner in which they carried it out must be a matter of pride and congratulation to them for ever and a day.

The photographs reproduced in this article were specially taken for us by Messrs Walrond, Utting, and Frith. Owing to the rain, a number of exhibits which would otherwise have been photographed were missed. A fine negative was obtained of Miss Ireland’s turnout, but an unfortunate accident prevented our reproducing it. This is a matter we greatly regret, as the tandem was one of the prettiest things on the ground. Considering the badness of the light, and the difficulties in the the way, we think the photographers did exceedingly well, and that the present issue will be appreciated by all.