St. Catherine’s Convent, Invercargill.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLIX, Issue 49, 14 December 1922, Page 37

St. Catherine’s Convent, Invercargill.

s GARDEN FETE. The Dominican Nuns held their annual garden fete last Saturday week, and the chronicle of its events adds one more bright and cheery page to the history of their fast" developing building scheme (writes a correspondent). Morning dawned with a sky laden with watery clouds which burst at intervals for sever ah hours, but from 11 a.m., the weather chart could be painted with a beautiful .blue sunny sky, and by 1 p.m.— opening hour—the sight of artistically decorated stalls seen here and there through blossoming shrubs, flax, and cabbage trees was a sight to delight an artistic eye. The northern verandah was reserved for art union exhibits. Arranged under a canvas awning these drew the attention of many admirers. Etchings, paintings in oils and water colors of every shape and size were here on view. Each one of these many' works of art is a valuable prize, and the winners will be open to congratulations. The Sweets' stall was most alluring on the school verandah. Patrons were hailed as they proceeded to and from three inner refreshment rooms, furnished with exceedingly dainty tea tables. The pretty color schemes in these rooms added to the charm of.the afternoon tea and supper. The assistants were kept busy from start to finish supplying dainties of the season to their visitors. 'The Kindergarten was set apart for the children's stall. The room looked like a Christmas toy shop with charmingly arranged festoons and' toys.. A produce stall in St.' Joseph's School attracted -as much attention as a city "Paddy's Market." Customers' baskets were much heavier on leaving the stall than they were on approaching it. A plain and fancy goods stall also in St! Joseph's School was well supplied frith everything possible for needle and hand to produce. At 3 o'clock a bell rang to summon ailto the' law to witness the crowning of the queen of the late Princess Carnival— Maisie Kilkelly. The lawn was soon crowded with eager on-lookers. The Very Rev. Dean Burke performed the ceremony, and in a pleasing and happy speech said he hoped that in years to come this young queen would follow the example of her elders by taking part in, and helping on all good and charitable works. Several pretty dances were then performed on the lawn by a band of little tots. In the evening the Hibernian Band, under the conductorship of Mr. R. Wills, played several selections. The band is ever ready to help in any good cause, and needless to say every item was appreciated •to the full. The evening drew even a greater crowd than the afternoon. With full moon and powerful electric lights dotted here and there about the grounds 'the effect was even more beautiful than that in !the sunlight afternoon. * The- excavations for new building are in actual progress and the visitors at the fete were interested onlookers. Altogether the fete was a prononuced success and the Dominican Nuns wish to thank all/ who helped so generously either by the sale of tickets; or by donations in kind. The Dominican Nuns have reason to be proud of their warm-hearted friends in Invercargill for all worked as though they themselves were to gain greatly by their efforts.,; A more geneerous gathering of people could hardly be found in any part of the Dominion. v ""-' -\