FLORAL FETE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXV, Issue 23, 9 December 1905, Page 23

FLORAL FETE.

CARNIVAL OF FLOWERS AT ELLERSLIE. • A BRILLIANT SCENE. 'Hie floral fete of 1905. held at Eilerste on Saturday, was as brilliant, u success as its humanitarian object warranted. The fete of the Auckland Ladies’ Benevolent Society has come to be regarded as one of the events of tho year from n popular standpoint. It is tho only direct, appeal that this society makes to the public, and generously the public, responds to the appeal. The workers ■in the society, and they do another [work among the poor of the city, made earnest efforts to secure the full success of the fete, and their efforts have met full reward. The attendance is difficult of computation, but on a rough estimate it is calculated that there were between 15,000 and 20,000 people of the ground nt one time during the afternoon, and there were numbers constantly coming and going. The amount taken on the course is estimated to exceed £375, and there is also a very considerable, sum to come in from other sources.

A splendid display of Scottish dancing was given by the prize-takers of the St. Andrew’s Society, those taking part being:—Girls*M. Barber, M. Gardiner, N. Mackay, Grace Sutherland, Janet Sutherland, Grace Hutton, Hazel Andrew, Mabel Andrew. Boys: J. Gardiner, Neil Mackay. Chas. Simpson, Dunean Simpson, W. Geddes, Jack Hutton, John Barber, H. Johnston. Pipe-Ma jor D. Crawford and Pipers Gardiner, Evans and Heave provided the bagpipe music. POSTERS. The poster of Mr W. Crosher, electrician, was Miss Hesketh, who carried a staflT made of the simplex conduit used by the firm in all its electrical fittings in buildings, etc. On the top of this was an electric fan, while at- each corner was a coloured electric light globe, the device ’‘Simplex” being borne below the fan, together with the- name of the firm, The bearer of the standard also displayed the name on her sash, the whole forming an attractive display.

Mr G. Mackay, seedsman and florist,, of Queen-street, was represented by Miss Winnie Grainger, of Ponsonby, who looked charming in a floral costume of eream silk. The skirt was trimmed with sunflowers, with a broad band of cream coloured ribbon with the words, “Mackay’s seeds, plants, bulbs, and flowers," on the front, and on the buck a green band with gold letters, “Florist.” Her hat consisted of a large sunflower, surmounted with a golden butterfly. Miss Grainger carried a floral staff supporting a beautiful bouquet of choice yellow flowers and foliage and green streamers. The poster of the English and Foreign Plano Agency (8. Coldicutt manager) was Miss Hazel Nairn, of Remqrra, who wore a striking costume of butter glace silk, panelled with cream silk, bearing the names of the famous English pianomakers, “Broadwood,” “Eavestaff," “Allison.” 'Hie whole of the front bore the words "Pianos and organs. The English and Foreign Piano Agency. 8.. Coldicutt manager.” On the waistband and shoulder straps were the names ofthe foreign piano houses, “Era rd” and. “Bluthncr.” The bottom of the skirt was deeorated with bars of music beautifully worked in black velvet. Miss Nairn wore a champagne straw hat with a tambourine crown, adorned with a small drum and silver lyre. She carried 1 a miniature piano, the effect being a ’splendid advertisement for the enterprising piano flrm whom she represented.

i For completeness of design, and artistic effect, it would be hard to excel the “Hlar” poster dress which was worn with distinction by Miss Rhodes. The ekirt, of rich white satin, was formed of pleated panels printed in red and blue in the well-known front [rages of the "Star,” while alternate panels announced that this journal is “The People’* i’aper.’’ tn the front was a very beautiful hand-painted floral panel, executed by Mr. J. E. Ward, of the “Graphic’' staff, the words “Ladies’ Benevolent Society Floral Fete" being garlanded with, painted roses, and »unasunt»

ed by a golden star bearing the monogram of the Society. The bodice wad composed of satin and rich lace, spai.'gled with silver stars, and a Lrge picture hat trimmed with black and wh.ta ostrich feathers bore the words “Auckland Star” in gold letters on the upturned brim. She wore black silk stockings and kid shoes, dusted with tiny i-ilver stars, and in her hand she carried a banner bearing the “Star’’ Calendar for the month, and streamers with announcements of the “Graphic.” “Farmer,” and other well known publications of tho Brett Company. The dress, which was designed and carried out by Miss McElwain, of the Victoria Arcade, was universally admired, and that it won a special prize, as well as first prize, was admitted on ail sides to be no more than its due. Miss McElwain, who makes a specialty of designing fancy costumes, etc., was much congratulated on her success.

Miss McElwain, of the Massage Par-' lours, Victoria Arcade, wan represented by Miss J. Lewis irl the character of “Liberty.” The gown was a beautiful one, the white skirt being trimmed with bands of red ribbon, and a border of gold stars. The bodice was nLo studded with gold stars, and a gold and jewelled crown, worn as a head-dress, completed an effective costume. Skea tee Bros., the well-known jewellers and clock makers, of Queen-street, sent- a “striking’’ representative in a very pretty pink costume, traversed by a broad sash embroidered in handsome letters with the name, of the firm. A banner with watches and jewellery on one side, and “Old Time” on the other, completed the poster.Tho novelty and good taste shown in the exhibit made by Messrs. T. H. Hall and Co. for Fry’s famous manufactures attracted general attention. The exhibit was a mounted knight in plated armour, hi* steed fully caparisoned for ■defiance and defence, himself “armed at (joint exactly cap-a-pie,” bearing-on his shield.the device, “Purest and Best.” He anight have been any one of the “nine and twenty knights of fume” who ’bung their shields in Branksome-Towers.” He seemed, indeed, to have stepped out ot some old picture, and to have taken down his shield, assumed his armour, mounted his war horse,.and. repaired to ♦he lists at Ellerslie to do his devoirs in defence of Fry’s Cocoa and Chocolate.

Mr. Bartlett, who is always to the ■front in the photographic world, was represented by Miss Haul tain, who personated his new process, the India Proof portraits, in a tasteful cream dress, draped artistically with dark brown voile, while the bodice of cream silk was draped with brown silk of a different shade, the idea lioing to reprosent the sepia tones of this beautiful new process, for which Mr. Bartlett is justly becoming noted, and which Is attaining a great popularity. Messrs McCullagh and Gower were re presented by a very unique design worn ■by Miss Ruckwcrtli. It consisted of a ivery cleverly arranged costume in which ■no fewer than 20 dozen fancy white ihandkerchief*, many of them lace(trimmed, were employed. A good deal (of ingenuity was shown in the arrangement of these rather difficult maIterials, nnd the effect was successful and I striking. The handkerchiefs were ■ caught in tho centre and tacked on to ■the dress foundation, the corners baling loose and fussy, giving the effect ot la very much frilled costume. The hat was cf a gipsy or Welsh shape, of crimjeon satin, with a huge reel of white [cotton for the crown, with the firm's | name and tho number of yards, 20 ■ miles, on the top. A staff headed ■with a large gold sovereign completed 'this costume. The dress was made in (the firm’s well-equipped dressmaking [department.

Messrs Smith and Caughey'a representative, Miss Winnie Lewis, was a complete epitome of the departments of that Ann. The .skirt and angle sleeves of the costume were of white satin. The ekirt was kilted from waist to hem, having alternate panels with printed il-< lustrations representing the different' departments of the firm. 'lbe bodiee, was a shirred lawn with iranspareutt lace yoke. The very picturesque Napoleon hat was niarfe of ruehea white l Valenciennes lace, and on the upturned hriin were tho large letters 8. and C., In a deep shade of yellow cowslips edg ed with black velvet, and long white) autin streamers with the firm’s name ini gold letters were crossed on the crown! mid reached to the hern of the skirt.-

This costume was made under the supervision of Miss Carter, the costumier. The Marseilles Tile Company, represented in Auckland by Messrs Briseoo and Co., had a novel display In tho form of a fancy costume of maroon and tile coloured silk worn by Miss Von Meyern to represent leadlights and tiles. The maroon silk skirt was short with hip pauiers and berthe of the brighter shaded coloured silk cut to form pointed tiles. The hat was i.r a bell shape to form the cap of an oriel and spiral window. Miss White, representing the Kapai Corn Broom Co., was dressed ia pita green with voile overskirt and bodice, a crossover blouse with late front and cuffs, skirt flounced with broom corn, a unique burst and green straw hat trimmed with tassels and sprays of broom corn; surmounting the whole was a picturesque umbrella made of corn brooms decorated with Kapai labels.

Yates and Co, were represented by two posters. Misses M. Haultain and Lewis, who were attired iu yellow and purple, with strings of seeds around their necks, reed hats on their heads? and staffs decorated with green stuff. Mr M. J. Bennett had an effective y stor display, his son being encased within a huge cardboard paint pot, through the sides of which tiis arms projected, while he carried the tools of the trade, including a small ladder. The daughter walked by his side, carrying a bannerette 'bearing the name of the exhibitor of ,the poster.. Byerofr- Biscuit Co. was represented by Miss Shepherd, attired, in blue with band* of biscuits down her skirt and blouse and round, her hat. She bore a staff on which were two of the smaller? tins used by the firm.

Mr Lxi Roy was represented by Mis* Hume, who wore a rainature tent u » hat, and carried a bannerette with the' name of ths firm emblazoned on it. The Pearson’s sandsoap poster- was> 'Miss A. Cowan, who was attired in a dress of material coloured similarly to’ tho wrappers of the sandsoap, with skirir tucked up ready for scrubbing, and wearing as a hat a larga wrapper displaying the name of the soap. Mr 8. Barry, optican, was represented by Miss Laird, who-wore the name of the exhibitor in large letters on her skirt, together with a number of prints of spectacles, etc. Miss llarrowell represented the Auckland Fresh Food and lee Company in a ■white dress and the company’s white peaked nap, on which were balls of snow and labels of white with the company’s. name printed thereon. Miss Steele, Nelson Moate’s exhibit, was dressed in red, whits and blue with badges and advices to drink the company’s tea across, and a staff to which were attached streamers.

Messrs Wiseman and Co.'s poster* 1 Miss Cook I was dressed in royal blu* cotume with white kid aprons and facings, a nurse's bonnet for hat, a whipfor a staff, and a handsome eross-belh presented by the firm to the Ist Regiment, A.M.R., for shooting was also worn-

'Hie Northern S.S. Co.'s poster (Miss Reid) was a very effective display. Thei lady was dressed in a white sailor costume with ths company’s initials in red on the collar, had painted flags and ships: on the front of the dress, and the. lumft

of the company along the bottom. Iler: belt was some rope and tackle and from it was suspended a gilded anchor and chain. Her stuff was a small white mast from which flew the company’s, flag.

I’ostlea and Palmers were represented by Miss D. Haultuin in a mill.ary uniform with yellow facings, a red sash crossing the bodice with the name of th, Arm thereon.

The “Herald” was represented by al smalt boy in blue armed with a trumpet.The Acorn butter exhibit was a buttergirl (Miss Hanna) in light yellow, with. « milk pai! in her hand. Cinderella Baking Powder had! twol posters—Misses McKenzie and Lewis—--one of whom was dressed in green and, :wore the famous glass slipper. 'lTte Reynolds bicycling flrm showed ai 'boy dressed as a cyclist with a staff [representing the Budge Whitworth! Him.

’Jlie Highlander Milk was represented 'by Mias P. Hamlin attired as a “Highland Ijwsie,” bearing a bannerette with. ■ the name of the firm on it.

The South British hmuran. c Fire, Marine and \i cident Co. could not hare trusted its portrayal Io more capable

hands than those of Mrs Devore, at thif. eta go, too, of the undertakings of the company they include accidents as part of their ordinary business. A large trolly coveied in red and white, on which

was a handsome gondola covered with Fi at let and white flow ers and tasteful greenery, the deck being entirely white; a canopy of white, wreathed in flowers find lycopodium covers or rather shades, the pith of the whole exhibit —-fire, marine and accident were all there. In the ’bus were Miss Kirker and Mbs Devore, in cream skirls, scarlet eoats, gold buttons, gold helmets, on which were ribnous bearing the company’s legend. Firemen's whistles and axes represented the fire depart num t with accuracy hard to understand unless actually seen. On the middle seat were Miss Blanche Devore mid 3!iss Mary Carrick as sailors, dressed in blue serge dresses, white vests and hats, with South British ribbons representing the marine department of the company. Tn the stern seat were Miss Tibbs and Miss Kato Devore nurses—very dainty nurses—in grey,

■with white aprons, collars and cuffs and ’’Sister Dora” caps, '‘South British F.M.A.” on a broad band on the left arm, and their nursing wallet being made of South British almanacs for 1906. With such attractive nurses the accident department should not fail to commend itself to the popular taste. Bright flags decorated the gondola, and broad white satin streamers, painted in scarlet, set forth the nature of the exhibit. The steersman was dressed in picturesque white suit with knotted sash and scarf. Four of Mr Winstone’s fine bay horses, with the driver artistically attired, had the pleasure of drawing this extremely pretty device. And they were made, gay and smart with handsome white velvet horse-covers with designs of scarlet and gold leather and heavygold fringe at the corners, and the initials of the company on each one. Altogether the device was unique in its conception, and the artistic details did infinite credit to Mrs Devore and the ladies who so generously assisted her. DECOBATED VEHICLES. The display of decorated vehicles was very fine, indeed, the procession being the outstanding feature of the show. A splendid exhibit was made by His Worship the Mayor of Auckland and Mis A. M. Myers, in the shape of “Ye Okie Englishe” State carriage. It was a gorgeous representation of a State coach of the olden days, and was a mass of blooms from the horses’ heads to the back of the carriage. An open landau was the base of the decorations, but very little of the original vehicle was visible beneath the wealth of blossoms of all kinds with which it had been covered. The colour scheme was in red and white, and distinct bands of flowers in these colours ran through the deeortions. The panels beneath the coachmen’s seat were of red geraniums, surrounded by white candytuft, while the edges of the passengers compartment behind were picked out with bunches of delicate white sweet peas and gladioli, and doors were covered with a mass of earnations and red geraniums. This latter bloom also was the flower utilised in tire semi-circular cover of streamers, relieved by the green tint of lycopodium. This eover was surmounted by a beautifully-made crown of exquisite white roses, and that again by a pretty red cross of the predominating geranium. The wheels of the carriage were smothered in bands of white lilies and candytuft, pretty ropes of the latter flower being hung from the axles to the steps. The horses were four bays, whose harness was covered with white flowers of various sorts, and the reins were swathed in red ribbon. Coachman and footman in effective dark blue uniform and gold buttons were on the box and within the carriage as it drove round the ring were Mrs Myers and her little niece, Miss Rhona Myers, dressed charmingly in white muslin, and the Mayor in the orthodox of an every-day citizen.

Yellow was the dominant note of Miss Kent’s four-horse lorry, which was decorated in very attractive style. The sides of the waggon were picked out hi large yellow daisies, intermingled with white, and set off with lycopodium. 'Die spokes of the wheels were similarly decorated in similar style, and the lorry was canopied by a huge Japanese umbrella yellow in shade, and decorated with yellow flowers, and supported by strings of lycopodium and daisies. The harness of the horses was picked out in yellow, and was decorated with flowers of a similar hue, altogether a striking exhibit.

Among the two-horse carriages was a very prettily decorated landau, occupied by Mrs Houghton, Mrs Holmes, Miss Denniston, and Miss Ireland. The prominent flower was purple-tinted sweet-pea.

Mrs W. Jaggers rode in a charming dog-eart decked with ivy geraniums and lycopodium. Mrs Hewitt (of Mount Roskill) and Miss Hooper occupied a sulky trimmed jvitli yellow and white Marguerites. Mr George Court's Beehive establishment was conspicuously represented by a lovely little sulky, over which —almost •a big as the sulky—poised a glittering queen bee. Smaller worker hees buzzed around the wheel and around the little Shetland pony’s ears.

The Children's Home, Remuera, had an attractive vehicular exhibit, arranged under the direction of the secretary, Mrs Hay. The occupants, six of the children with Miss Bullen in charge, sat beueath a striking crown of yellow and white flowers; an archway spread across the front, and around the vehicle ran several daisy chains. A pageboy carried a horn. After the judging a number of flags bearing the name of the home were erected, ami as the conveyance passed the grandstand bunches of daisies were tossed out.

A party of nine Eden school cadets dragged a real one-pounder field gun on a decorated gun carriage. The gun was given to the cadets some time ago by Mr. H. W. Francis, and is said to have seen service on a. warship. The exhibit was entered in Mr. Francis’ name, and the cadets in attendance were Masters F. Newman, S. Jacka, R. Newman, E. Nicholson, S. Denvers, B. Brown, P. Douglas, W. Hewson, and J. Low. Mrs. Dalziel's school was in evidence by virtue of a vehicle carrying a huge imitation Christmas cake, in which the heads of 12 pupils represented the plums. The driver looked exceedingly unhappy as Father Christmas. The words “A Merry Christmas,” picked out in pink geraniums, ran around the eake. A design which necessitated a considerable amount of work and a lavish supply of flowers was entered by Mr A. Bevins. Two ponies mounted by pink cupids decorated with garlands of flowers drew a phaeton completely covered with flowers. A full complement of boys and girls dressed in white and yellow rode under a dainty awning of a white silk sunshade forming the centre of a series of beautiful floral festoons. Yellow and white Marguerite daisies, closely arranged, covered the body and wheels of the vehicles, making an effective and charming floral display. The St. Barnabas’ Musical Society’s exhibit was a Japanese tea-tent, intended to represent a scene from the opera, “The Geisha.” In the middle of the kiosk, which was constructed on a big waggon drawn by a handsome team of black horses, were assembled a number of geishas serving tea to some British naval officers in white, illustrative of the entente between the two races. The ladies were Mrs. Gilfillan, and Misses Hemming, Land, Drower and Webb (2) and the gentlemen were Messrs. Macdonald, Currie, White (2), Drower and Hamon. The driver was also in Japanese costume. Mesdames Butler and Hay's exhibit (representing Grafton) was a quaint Dutch windmill, which worked as the vehicle moved. The blue sails were picked out in field daisies, and the sides represented a hawthorne hedge in which daisies grew. The horses were decorated with blue delphiniums, and their traces and collars, and also the wheels of the lorry, were covered with the field daisies. Inside were two dames and some little girls dressed as farm-hands working around the mill. Misses Colbeek and O. Smith were the “.dames,” and the little girls were Misses M. and E. Reed, E. Young, D. Butler, E. Cooke, W. Clarke and M. Carver.

Tire New Zealand Dairy Association was represented by Mrs. Curry’s decorated butter-van, which was decorated chiefly with white daisies and golden butterflies. From tlie floral hoops on the top was suspended a beautiful anchor in flowers, and a similar device in lilies, within a circlet of yellow, was on the back door. On the box alongside the driver- was little Miss Curry, dressed as a bottle-fly, and the horse was covered with a gorgeous rug. A very elaborately and beautifully decorated gun carriage was exhibited by Miss Torrance, Mrs. W. R. Bloomfield, and Miss Bullock-Webster. The scheme of colour was in red and yellow, carried out with summer chrysanthemums, red geraniums, and variegated laurel. The gun, an old six-pounder by the look of it. was drawn by six horses ridden by Batterymen in khaki. PRIZE LIST. The following are the awards:— Carriage of any kind (drawn by two horses): Mesdames Holmes. Houghton, Misses Denniston and Ireland. 1; Mr A. Bevins, 2; Mr Fred Tyler, 3. Buggies. Dog-carts, Phaetons, Waggonettes (four wheels): Remuera Children's Home, 1; Mrs Churches, 2.

Dog-carts, Glkh, Sulkies, and Roadsters (two wheels): Mrs W. Jagger, 1; Mr Geo. Court, 2; Mrs Hewitt, 3.

Decorated Gun Carriage: Miss Torrence, Mrs W. R. Bloomfield, and Miss Bullock ■Webster. 1; Special entry, child's mode) of gnu carriage. Master It. W. Francis. 2.

Milk Dandy: W. H. Davla tLeamiuglou Dairy, Newton), L

Buys’ Pony: Master F. Mncmmaijuln, 1; Master Eric Clark. 2; Master Archie McMillan, 3; Master Percy Tapp, special.

Girls’ Puny: Miss Kathleen Mair. 1; Miss Lesley Sanderson, 2; Miss Myrtle Lee, 3; Miss Blom tic hl (pony with paniers). special. Children's Vehicle uf any kind pTrawn by other animals than horses: Miss Marie Dufnur, 1: Miss Elsie M. Tyhlen. 2; Mrs T. Patterson, 3; Master Lyn Dawes. special.

Motor Cars: Misses Tayror and Barrie, 1; Messrs Dexter and Crozier, 2; Mr R. L. Hughes, 3. Lady’s Bicycle: Miss Petrie. 1: Mrs Lawson. 2; Mi»s Kathleen Hickson. 3. Child’s Tricycle: Robin Ainslle. 1; special entry ot’ boy’s bicycle, with trailer, Master Roy Roth Burns, special.

Go ('in is, Perambulators, \V he. ’.bar rows: Miss Girlie Hankinson (go-cart, drawn by two boys), 1; Miss Nelson, 2; Miss Fairweather. 3: Mrs Grant, h.c.; special entry of a string of wheelbarrows, Miss D. Metcalfe, special prize for grand exhibit. Best Doll’s Perambulator or Go-Cart (12 years and under): Miss Ze] m a Kecsiug, It 311*4 Girlie Russell. 2; Miss Eileen Parkes aiul Dorothy Montague, 3; Miss Keitha PotttE h.c. ' Garland or Wreath: Miss Braithwaite, 1. —Decorated Hat: Mrs Wilson Smith. ’-*• Best Decorative Design: Mrs Moriarty. 1; Miss Lynette McKenzie, 2. Best Decorated Parasol: Miss (’auller, 1; Miss Dunn, 2; Miss Blanche McNeil. 3. Best Decorated Dog: Miss Vera Cashell, 1; Miss D. Barnard, 2; Miss Doris Stopford. 3. ~ _ . . Posters: ‘'Auckland Star,” 1 and special. G. J. Mackay, 2; Smith and Caughvy (two posters), 3. Flower Girls: Grace Darting (Mrs Browning), J; Miss Hanna, 2; Miss Steele. 3. Brakes, ’buses, lorries, or waggons drawn by four or more horses: Miss Kent. 1; Dalzell, 3; Messrs Fullan and Armitage, 3. Lorries or waggons with device: Mrs Devore, 1 and special; Mesdames Butler and Hav. 2; St. Barnabas’ Musical Society, 3Vehicles draw Ji other than by horses: Mrs F. Patterson. _ Borough Council vehicle: Auckland City Council, 1 and 2. Milk float: W. H. Davis (Leamington Dairy), 1; Auckland Fresh Food and Ice Tradesmen's cart: Mrs Curry (N.Z. Assoc.) 1; T. W. Welch, 2; McGregor and Montague, 3.

Cookery competition (judges, Messrs Buchanan and Nairn).—Gas stove looking. Misses A. S. Keesing. 1; H. Bent and Braithwaite, 2: MeClatlile. 3. Children s C lasses.—Sponge sandwichMiss Zlka Ifwerson, 1. Poam. cake. Missis Esse) Cott, 1; Norina Ifwerson, aged i, speCi< Bpcclal exhibit:—Miss J. Barber. Cream sandwich: Zita Ifwerson, 1. Amateurs.—Seones: Mrs Smart, 1 Miss Ada Catchpole. 2. Gingerbread. Miss 1. Griffiths, special. Jam Sandwich: Miss Thornes, 1; Miss Freis, 2. Vlctoiian Sandwich: Miss IS. Thornes. 1; Miss M. 2: Mrs Griffiths, h.c. Jam Roll: Mrs Biddams. 1; Miss C. Gee. 2. Fruit Sponge. Miss Zoe Bartley, 1; Miss Morton, 2. Assorted Pastry: Mrs Hale, special. Cheese Cake: Miss Ada Catchpole, 1- Madeira Cake: Miss Ada Catchpole, 1. Assorted Tee: Miss Gee, 1. Mixed Confectionery: Miss Holloway, 1. Turkish Delight: Mrs Morton, special. ANIMAL RACES.

Miss Beatrice Barnard’s little fox terrier won the dog race, with Miss Z. Keesing second and Miss Hillyer third. The menagerie race was very funny, the lamb running with every indication of winning till the last moment, when the fowl driven by Miss G. Beale got ahead and won, the lamb (Miss G. Friar) being second. A goat and a seagull “also started.”