CHORAL HALL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 115, 23 May 1885, Page 2

CHORAL HALL.

Grand Oriental Fancy Fair

Foe many months past a number of ladies and gentlemen connected with St. Mary's parish, Parnell, hove been hard at work preparing for a grand fancy fair, tho procoeds of which were to be devoted to tho fund for tho erection of tho now paris-h chinch and other parochial buildings. It, was dooidod thut the bazaar should toko tho form of an Oriontpl Fair, and that in addi- ■ lion to tlio Halo of work thoro eliould I)J I other attractions tliat would maUo tlio affair superior to any bazaar that had previously taken placo in the colcny. Keeping thia object steadily in view, and thoroughly determined not to start before they wore ready, these ladies and gentlemon have at last achieved the object on whicli they had set their hoarts. AVhile the ladies were plying tho busy needle on velvet and plush, and while fair iingers woro at work with brush and pencil preparing worksof art, tho gentlemen corresponded with friends in different parts of tho world with tho object of obtaining collections of curios and articles of virtu. The din of preparation is now ovor, and tho Grand Oriental Fancy Fair opened at tho Choral Hall at three o'clock this afternoon. And how the ladies and their gontfemon assistants have metamorphosed tho Choral Hall! Its Bomowhat sombro aspect has been changed as though by the wand of a magician to tha counterfeit presentiment of a street in an Oriontal city. Tho shop fronts ttro painted like the scenes of v theatre, and, with their lattice projecting windows, aud Arabesquo architecture, have a very pleasing and realistic effect. Tho shops are two stories high, and hero and thoro a"smart Egyptian" poors through tho window into tho street bolow. Tho "ground floors" of the shops are used as stalls for tho display and talo of innumerable articles of fancy work. The painted canvas for these shops, wo may mention, waa imported from Wellington, whore it was used at an Oriental Fair recently held in that city. Tho small spneo beyond tho "street," and adjoining the orchestra, is utilised for refreshment aud llower stalls of distinctly Occidental design, and consequently somewhat out of harmony with the othorportion of tho exhibition. In tho centre of tho hall is a Maypole, from which depend ribbons of many colours, and round which, at the opening, a number of children, specially trained, danced joyously. Tho southern anto-room of tho hall is littcd up as a theatre—stage, proeenium, and scenos complete—and has beon dignified with tho namo of "Tho Royal Egyptian Theatre." Tho northern anteroom contains a I'unch and Judy Show and on Art Exhibition.

Entering the hall from theSymonda-strect entrance, und approaching the street, the first 6hop on tho right hand tide is a largo double stall, provided over by the following ladies : —MesdamesChamberiin, K.Walker, liorne, Cave, and assisted by Mrs H. Cavo, Misses Walker, C. Walker, Howe, C. Home, Chamberlin, Cave, Newby, Rochforfc, and Roy. Tho feature of thisshop is a handsome and valuable collection of art pottery sent out to Mrs Cave, for disposal at the Fair, by friends in Scotland. The articles are really very beautiful, and are marked at prices that will " defy competition." Tho value of this collection is probably £30 or £40. Other features pro come hand-paintings occasional tables, and plaques, executed in tho highest style of art. There is, of course, tho usual ollu, podridtt of cushions, coßiea smokingcaps, dolls and bootees common to all bazaars, before leavirg this Btall wo would like to montion, and tho same remark applies to all tho other Btnlls in tho Fair, that tho promotors, profiting by past experience, whoro it has boen the rulo to charge high prices for waroß and not soil more than half their Block, have determined to appraiso their goods at a cost that will cover tho cost of tho materials only. Next door to tho shop of " Mondaincs Chamborlin and Co" is a handsomely-filled stall, " run" by Mesdamcj Anderson, Ireland, Hose, liloomfield, Wilson, Tilly, Carr.jAbbot, and Maria Clark, assisted by Misses Wilson, Tilly, Carr, Kosk, Davcnoy, Pritt, Abfaolt, A. Abbott, Koyi.olils, and Hook. Tho feature of this stiill is undoubtedly the hand-painted mantel drapos and plaques, the work, wo boliovo, of Mrs lroland. Onu of tho former, a wutor Hcono with lilios and bulrushes, i« a work of url of great oxcollonco. Homo chairs, upholstered on handworked velvetaro very attractive, and thoro is also a lino collection of inland curios very tastofully arrangod. Returning again to the ontranco to tho street, tho liret stall on tho loft-hand tide in found to bo mo.-i tastefully arranged, and to contain hmonj^t numerous othor articles seino artistic hand-worked drupes. Tho ladies connected with this stall aro Mcsdamea .1. Walpole, Fairburn, Klines, Kawling.", and Ruck, assisted by Mrs ituldano, Misses Lush, Mabel" Fairhurn. Ruck, 11, Ruck, Rooks, and M. Robertson. The characteristics of tho other three stalls aro much tho samo as those already described. No. .'! is under tho charge of "St. Mary's Working Party," comprising the following ladies:—Mosdamea Sowoll, H. Smith, F. Kotnpthorno, assisted by Miasos 11. Smith, K. H. Smith, M. Kempthorne, Kemp thorno, .1. Brothers, mid Piric. No. 1 .stall:—Mosdaincs Moss, Porcy Smith, T. Kissling, Thomas, nnd Walpole, assisted by tho Missos Moss, Percy Smith, Rees, Viva Martin, E. Bubor, Metii Hull, A. Radford, and the Misnes Errington. No. 2 stall. Mosdames , Clayton, White, Cheesomau, W. C. Walkor and Wayinouth, assisted by the Missos White, the Misses Yon dcr Hoyde, tho Misses Cheeeoman, Missos Wright Clayton, Wyldbrown, Flood, Pirio, Maunsoll, Casbell, and Lyle, The flower stall is a groat attraction, boing woll stocked with flowers and lino foliago plants. Tho presiding genus is Mr Dewes, assisted by a bevy of young ladies—like the advertised attractions of a circus—"too numerous to particularieo." Opposite the flower stall is the refreshment stall, presided over by Mr Herbert Walpole, assisted by Misses Mowbray, Corbctt, Fairbnrn, and A. Wilkie.

At three o'clock the Fair presented a very protty appearance, tho handsomo stalls and the picturesque Oriental costumes of the fair Egyptians presenting a very animated picture. The 'opening ceremony was performed by Sir G M. O'Rorke, who was led to the orchestra by Messrs K. Maris Clark and S. Percy Smith. Sir Maurice in a neat and happy speech declared the Fair open. In course of his ramarks ho mentioned that when His Excellency the Governor was laat in Auckland he had promised to open the Fair. State business had prevented |this. Ho road a telegram from His Excelloncy expresbing the regret ho felt at not being present and offering good wishes to St. Mary's Church. After the opening ceremony a selection of music was played by the band, the children danced the Maypole dance, and tho singing of the National Ahthem concluded the formal portion of the opening ceremony. At 7.30 to-night the followiug tableaux will bo represented at tho "Royal Egyptian Theatre," "Mary, Queen of Scots,' "Old Woman in a Shoe," and "Auld Robin' Grey," At a quarter-past eight, a gratid concert will take place, the vocalists being Mr Manna, Mosdames Revitt, Stevens, Pullan, Ames, and Miss Corbott, while at nino o'clock tho comedietta "Dearest Mamma " will be performed with a strong caste.