O'Ranaghan's warning is stronger, and gives a reason for the demise of the races. No buggies or carriages will be allowed on or near the grounds selling intoxicating liquor. There will be a committee appointed to watch those smugglers at the gate and bush where those gentlemen resort. There is too much of this business done at Tea Parties and Horse Trots. Take notice, that if you come you will get your liquor spilled. (8)

That the same fate did not befall the tea party is explained by the fact that Father John J. had a very important use for it, namely, it was to be the main technique for raising funds to build a new church. Not only were there annual tea parties, they were more elaborate, well organized and largely attended. Each had a special theme. In 1892 the Tunnel Tea was held at Cape Traverse to take advantage of an exibit of the proposed tunnel to connect P.E.I. and New Brunswick, which was illustrated by Senator George W. Howlan. In addition, "the great wonder of the age -— the Phonographg was on‘display. Special trains: Br‘o\13f1t : people from Charlottetown

and the West for a return fare of seventy-five cents. (9)

In 1894 the feature attraction at the "Roseberry Tea" was an "American ice-cool lemonade hut, gaily decorated in stars and stripes? and presided over by two New York women, Mrs. Davis and Miss Gaul. At this tea party there was a contest for the most popular man in public office; it was won by the Conservative politician from Summerside, Richard Hunt. (10) In 1898 a "Novel Tea" demonstrated the "basket-social principle", according to

which each woman contributed a meal—for-two in a basket, which

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