KUAOTUNA NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 212, 7 September 1899, Page 3

KUAOTUNA NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) KUAOTUNU, September 5. Friday and Saturday last were redletter days for Kuaotunu. The recently formed Ladies' Benevolent Society (local) arranged for these dates a grand bazzar and fancy fair, and, as a result I have to record a great and well deserved success. Our hall was transformed from its normal condition into a paradise by the joint efforts of Messrs Martin and Tonge, assisted by the ladies of the committee. The stalls were presided over by Mrs Martin, Mrs Geo. Hunter, Mesdames Barnes and iLa Prelle, Mrs Bagot Birch, Miss Murray, and Miss Mary Condon. Probably the central attraction of the bazaar was the Christmas gift tree, from which each ticket holder received a present from the hands of Mesdames Livingstone, Brown, Marshall, Thomson, the Misses M. Peterssn, Condon, and Ryan. The public were offered the popular attraction included in the term of "art-union." In this connection the efforts of Mesdames J. Wilson (chairwoman of committee), D. Sustins, and the Misses E. Peterson and Sadg-rove were instrumental in attracting to the bazaar treasury a goodly amount of. the coin of the realm. On both nights a most pleasing interval was afforded by the introduction of a musical programme, under the direction of Mrs Bagot Birch, amongst those assisting being Mrs G. Hunter. Messrs D. Hardma.n, C. F. Brown. Reader, J. Geard, and some of the children. Mrs Bagot Birch sang, by special request, the song which she has made so popular here, "Coming Thro' the Rye." As a result of this most creditable and successful initial effort of our Ladies' Benevolent Society, it is pleasant to be able to report that a sum of £65 has to-day been lodged in the Savings Bank to the credit of the Society, this sum representing' the profit on the venture, a sufficient sum having beeu retained i out of the total takings to cover all .expenses, which are few, Mr Eitchie

having given the hall tree, and most of the articles costing nothing1 for labour. It is hoped that a Government1 subsidy may still further swell the funds. A huge part of the credit for! the result achieved belonged to the ladies of the committee. In opening the bazaar Mr 11. Bennett (manager of the Waitai G.M. Co.) was particularly happy in his remarks chosen for the occasion. i