BAZAAR.

Press, Volume XLII, Issue 6304, 2 December 1885, Page 5

BAZAAR.

A Bazaar and Swiss Fair in connection with Trinity Congregational Church was opened yesterday afternoon at the Oddfeibws Hallby the Governor. The interior of the hall has beentranafermed into the representation of a Swiss street. The illusion is further kspt up by all the ladies in attendance wearing Swiss costumes, and the scenic artist having faithfully copied the peculiarly quaint architecture of the Swiss villages, one might be forgiven for supposing that, for a time at least, a portion of Switzerland had beentransferredtoCanterbnry.Theladiesof the congregation who have charge of the stall?, it may be noted, are to be complimented on the correctness of their costumes, as well as their elegance and completeness. The stalls are ranged on either side of the hall, leaving a clear space up the centre to the stage. There is everything displayed on the stalls that may be required, both as regards usefulness, or ornamentation; and the fact that for some eighteen months the ladies of the congregation have been assiduously working at the many articles displayed is an earnest that the variety, which we are assured is charming, exists in no small degree. To .attempt to describe the contents of the various stalls would be useless, insomuch as the task would be too great; - It will suffice to recommend all and sundry to pay a visit to the bazaar and see for themselves. In addition to the attractions of the stalls, the stage is occupied by a most tempting refreshment department, which is presided over by quite a number of merry Swiss maidens. From the stage, also, any one who is diposed to fish in the magic pond will secure a prize, and as the payment for the nee of the tackle is but small, no doubt the stock of fish in the pond will be seriously diminished before the bazaar closes. Near the door is one of the most interesting; portions of the exhibition, as it is the most curious. It comprises a fine collection of no less a number than seventy-nine works of art; in fact, copies of the old masters, which have been most generously placed at the disposal of the Committee by their owners. The collection ia without doubt unique in the Southern Hemisphere, and should be seen by all true lovers of art. His Excellency arrived shortly after three o'clock, accompanied by Mr Pennefather, and was received by the Bay. John Hoatson, the pastor of tho Church, the Orphanage Band playing the, National Anthem. The Governor haying been conducted to the s'tag>Y The Bey. Mr Boatson said that before asking His Excellency kindly to declare the bazaar open, he desired to .say. a few words explanatory cf the.purpose for which the bazaar was projected and the objects they had in view. The church which he had the honor to represent had been in existence some twenty one years, and about ten years ago a move was made in, the direction of the building of a new church, which had resulted in a debt remaining thereon to the extent of some £2400. No serious effort had been made since then to reduce the debt, but they had felt that the effort to keep up the provision for it somewhat heavy. : It had been, therefore, resolved to hold abaziar, and so long back as fifteen months ago preparations "were commenced by the ladies with, vthati view. They had, it wsb true, been forestalled' by three or four other bazaars, and were the . last of the season, but though this was bo' they did hot so much regret it, inasmuch aa it had procured them the pleasure of his Excellency's presence amongst them that day to perform" the*" opening . ceremony. ;CApk planse.] He desired to thank hie Excels lehcy for his kindness in consenting to perform the ceremony. The ladies had, as they did on all occasions, come forward to lend- their valuable aid, and he trusted his Excellency would be pleased with what he saw around him. [Applause.] Bis ExcELLSNcr said he could assure the ladies and gentlemen present that it needed no wwds of thanks on the part of his reverend friend for his taking part in the ceremony of that day. From what he saw before him, there was every probability of his being, as he had read elsewhere, bewildered by the amount of novelties. The bazaar seemed to have been arranged and designed with excellent and artistic taste, and he trusted that the object tor which it had been projected would be fulfilled. He could assure them that he always felt a degree of diffi- ! culty when called upon to open a bazaar. ; It was constantly said by people, why could not people give money for any object that ; might require it without the intervention of bazaars or other entertainments P He had been informed by Mr Hoatson that they wanted .£2400 to extinguish their . debt. Welly some people would Bay, why could not the people who were concerned in the matter set to work and subscribe towards that amount without having recourse to entertainments or any other means P This was all very well, bnt even supposing all the Cocgregationalists in the place subscribed literally, they would be hard put to it to raise .£2400. The fact was, in a case like this some stimulant was required, and this stimulant was supplied by tiie bazaar, and he only trusted that they would be able to do something towards it. He remembered an anecdote of the late Bishop of OxfordBishop "Wilberforce—who, afterpreachihg a most eloquent sermon on behalf of some charity, said that after listening to the appeals which had been made, they would go and put a miserable sixpence in the plate. If the people in the present instance fulfilled the remark of the Bishop of Oxford, and only pnt a miserable sixpence in the plate, it would be a very long time before the debt was extinguished on the principal Congregational Church inChristchurch.He therefore trusted that they would put their hands deep into their pockets, and that the result of their labors would be that the debt would, at any rate, partially be cleared off. He bad now much pleasure in declaring the bazaar open. [Applause.] His Excellency then proceeded on a tour of inspection of the various stalls. There was a very good attendance of visitors last evening, and business generally was brisk. A string band played several selections during the evening, and the minstrel troupe, known as the Dunstable Black Straws, gave several entertainments, whioh, judging from the laughter and applause, were very highly appreciated. The bazaar'will be open again to-day and in the evening.