GISBORNE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIX, Issue 23, 7 December 1907, Page 52

GISBORNE.

Dear Bee, November 30. It is the customary thing to complain of the weather at the start of a letter, so 1 shall not break through the custom, for we are in a fair way to be roasted this summer, judging by the heat we are experiencing now at this early season. Besides that, we are smothered in dust, the roads being inches thick in some places. I expect the heat is affecting the people. for there is not much on just now. 1-ast Wednesday afternoon THE DOMINION FAIR, in aid of foreign missions, was opened with great eclat by the Mayoress, Mrs. Townley. The theatre presented a charming appearance, and in the hands of Miss F. McCormick (formerly of Auckland), the draping and decoration of the various stalls was a great success, each stall being festooned with flowers. The stalls were loaded with a profusion of useful and ornamental articles, and a brisk business is reported by different stallholders. Miss Lang’s orchestra contributed several selections during the afternoon and evening. In the afternoon, Miss Bonar Millar contributed a song, which was much appreciated. The entries for the competition were few, but the quality of the exhibits was in each case excellent. For Hte best shirt blouse Mrs. H. Simeon was the successful competitor out of an entry of four, Miss McConncl and Miss F. Black were awarded the prizes for plum cake a*4

sponge sandwich respectively. Mrs. H. De Latour won the prize for the sweetmeats competition. Afternoon tea- was served at the back of the stage, which had been tastefully fitted up for that purpose. Mesdames Bright, Crawford and Chrisp were iu charge of this department, their assistants being Misses Bright, D. Chrisp, Agnew-Brown, and Crawford. All the ladies assisting wore white dresses, and white and black pierrot hats, which, with the profusion of flowers, added greatly to the quaint appearance of the fair. The following is the list of stalls and stallholders:-— Plain work: Mesdames De Latour, Goffe, and Haultain; junior guild: Misses Black, Murray, and Coleman; sweets: Mesdames Thomas and V. Barker, and Misses Witson, Clare, Beeson, and Kingston (2); ice cream: Miss Sheratt (2), and Rutledge; produce: Mesdames Akroyd and Kingston, Misses Miller and Akroyd; fancy: Misses Brooke-Taylor (2) and Carter; flowers: Mrs. Willock, Misses Nolan, Fer-

gusson, and De Latour; jumble stall: Mesdames Kissling, Seymour, Wilson and Blair; fish pond: Misses Black and Hamilton; bran pie: Misses Goffe and Matthews. A brisk business was done at the stalls during the evening. The club orchestra gave several items. The cigarette rolling competition, in charge of Mrs. Stephenson, was won by Mrs. Elliot. The evening was concluded by the amusing farce, “The Area Belle.” On Thursday evening an amusing competition, hat trimming for gentlemen only, was won by Mr. W. Tuttrell. A capital representation of Mrs. Jarley’s waxworks concluded the Dominion Fair. Mrs. Watson, Waimata, gave a small dance last week for Miss Hoadley (Napier). Miss Nolan organised a small moonlight picnic last week, two boatloads going up as far as the Hole-in-the-Walf. Owing to the very mild night, this wa< particularly enjoyable.

ELSA.