FAIR OF ALL NATIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 6761, 28 November 1884, Page 2

FAIR OF ALL NATIONS.

The opening of the Fair of All Nations took place at the Garrison HaU last night, and the building was crowded with people. Proceedings opened by a grand procession and dance, and during their progress the general public had to be content with a view from the gallery. The procession started at 7.30, and was led by children, followed by groupsof ladies and gentlemen representing five different nationalities. The costumes worn were characteristic and picturesque, and the general spectacle was exceedingly good. The effect of the scene was greatly enhanced by the manner in which the Btalls had been painted, and the credit of this artistio handiwork is due, we believe,- to Messrs Smith and Smith.

The prooesßion dispersed on reaching the top of the hall, and His Excellency the Governor then entered, and was attended to the platform by the Right Rev. Bishop Nevill, the Mayor (Mr W. P. Street), and tho Committco, consisting of the following gentlemen: Ven. Archdeacon Edwards, M.A., Revs. A. R. Fitchett, M.A*,~ R. A. Kerkham, R. Ronaldson, Messrs H. M. Davey, E. E. C. Quick, C. C. Kett'o, J. M. Ritohie, E. H. Hart, R. E. N. T*openy, A. Hill Jack, W. H. Churtop, Captain Easther, R.N., R. Davis, George Stephenson, F. Coxhead, R. M'Laren, J. P. Mpitland, H. Wallis, D'Arcy Haggitt, H. Mander, H. Robinson, and T. Chalmer. His Excellency said: Ladies and gentlemen, both young and old, I cannot express to you the pleasure that I feel %$ being with you on the present occasion. I can say without exaggeration that I have never seen any bazaar anywhere where the scene has been so grand as that which I now see before me.—(Applause.) Whether I take a look at the costumes of the young ladies or the dresses of the young men, or at the young people before me, I see nothing that is not worthy of admiration from beginning to end. —(Applause.) But ladies and gentlemen, if you willuallow,; me t J .wijl-., jusfc ;fpr one moment refer to the~object for which we are all here met together, Well, now, you know that it is the support of the Anglican Churches in Dunedin. In a few words, I may state that the object we have in view is to get money.—(Applause.) I often think, when I happen to be called upon to make speeches at meetings in aid of charitable or religious institutions, that I might gather toge' her all I have to say in one phrase, and that is: "Ladies and gentlemen, we are here met together to get money—now shell out." (Laughter and applause.) But thin is no ordinary occasion. We arc met to got money for five churches. The other day I had the honor of opening an j exitibitiou in Wellington when money waß J wanted to buy a certain church schoolroom, aud I told them we wanted L 2.000. Well,

we actually got L 1,250. Row, considering thia is for five churches, how muoh tffll jot* give ?—L5.000 ? I will lower my bid and say you must give L2,soo—that will be LSOO for each church.—(Applause.) I wish moat heartily this bazaar success, and from what I see before me, I am sure that euccesß will attend jour effjrts. I have much pleasure in declaring it open to the pcblio of Dunedin.—(Applause.) Bishop Nevill expressed the gratification felt at the presence of the Governor, and called for three cheers for His Excellency, which were heartily given. The procession then, by request, re-formed and made a circuit of the hall, and the children afterwards engaged in the "Sir Boger de Coverley," which was kept up for about ten minutes. The dance over, the hall waa opened to the public, who made a rapid descent from the gallery to make an inspection of the stalls. Theße are laid out in a most tasteful manner, and contain articles of every kind, which it would be useless to attempt a description of. We may, however, say that many of considerable value are included, while there are innumerable strange little knick-knack jfvlich many would like to possess. On tne left-hand side of the hall going in is the Swiss stall belonging to St. John's Church, and next comes the double French one presided over by the ladies of St. Paul's. The next compartment is alloted to St. Matthew's, and in this are to be found Russian and Indian goods. On the other side of the hall coming back is the Japanese Btall belonging to St. John's. Adjoining is a double one of All Saint >' (Old English and Italian), and next comes another double one belonging to St. Peter's (Spanish and Scotch). Between the entrance doors is the refreshment stall.

During the course of the evening there was no lack of music, and in the centre of the hall the Swiss bridal danoe was performed.

A side-show upstairs consisted of a French play, " L'lncognito," the cast being as follows:—La Duohesse de Banfel, Miss Helene Fodor; Madame de Krakofman, Mrs M'Kenzie Gibßon; La Mfcre Gertrude, Mrs B. Allan; La Grande Gudule, Miss Olga Tracy; Lina, Miss Ettie Smythe; Claire, Miss Muret; Annette, Miss Frances Baume. Another source of amusement was the " tent of mysteries " on the ground floor, in which visitors may learn their fortunes.