PRESBYTERIAN BAZAAR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLII, Issue 4320, 16 December 1874, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN BAZAAR.

The members of St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, haring decided to erect a handsome stone edifice of dimensions suitable to the rapidly increasing strength of the congregation, in place of the timber buiidinefiow, used for public worship, found that subscriptions, though given with liberality, would not meet the necessary expenditure, and under these circumstances it was decided to'hdld a bazaar. After some months of busy preparation, an attractire emporiaiu of this kind has been opened at, the Oddfellows’ Hall; ' Although bazaars have been numerous of late,- that opened at the Oddfellows’Hall yesterday-will bear comparison with the best of, its prede- , oesaors, the stock of goods being }&rge,andthe arrangement of i them very. tasteful. On entering the hall an attractive picture meets the view. The stalls which are ranged against the ’sides of the hall odhipfetely en- . shrouded to more than, the height with a heterogeneous collection of articles in every shade of colour, producing a gorgeous effect, which is further heightened by .eyergrcen decorations on the upper portions of the stalls, numerous flags suspended acroSs the'ceiling, and several stands of pot pllhts <m the floor of the had. The general ensemble is good, and creditable to those in “charge ..of the arrangements. Many willing htods assisted in the work, but Messrs Scla’qdert %bd Sutherland were the chief contributors in this respect. . It had been arranged for Mr John Anderson to open the bazaar, and the early,arrivals bad not time to take more than aoursory glance round the hall before the ceremony commenced. At request of, t)m' j! l3te\f A. F. Douglas, pastor of St. Paul’s, thope present sang the 100th Psalm, after which a portion of Scripture was *read, tod prayer offered up. The Rev.-A. P. Douglas then "briefly introduced Mr^Anderaon. Mr Anderson said he regretted the inclemency c£ the morning, as it had no doubt prevented many of .their friends worn being present/ fie was glad, however, that he had not been left to make a speech to,the .dolls and children’s dresses, for a more uninteresting and dispiriting audience no man,, could have. The object for which they had met together mi to aid in erecting a place for the worship of God, and he was prepared to justify a bazaar for snob a' pirpose. “ anyone went the length, of , asserting that bazaars were swindle* be had nothing to say to that objection, but Wdtrtd ask them to look hi the face* of the, ladies who ;had charge of the stalls, and say whether it to be thought they would cheat or [take> n - body in. (Laughter.) Great appifpf money had been raised in the old country for church purposes by means of bazaars. He was old enough to remember the days Of the abruption of the Scottish Church, »d thr vast sums that were raised then. They had not degenerated, and they would no dmlbt remember the proverb, “ God helps those who help themselves.” He would now declare the bazaar open for the tntomotion of - business, tod express a hope that tile financial result would be satisfactory. (Applattse.) ..... . The businest of the bazaar then tod to opportunity was given ifoceiaoßnnig the various stalls. The flrit’itiet the right was the. teacher’? supervision of the Misses Gavin and Cook, was stocked with a variety of goods, the chiei features being specimens- of ' Wool-woM'and collection of dolls. The former comprised * diversity of articles, useful and ornament », and the latter were well made and test etui y dressed. There were also handsome,', copies, smoking caps, cushions, fender stool? ncni) covered, , and wbrk-boxes on. the s “ • Mesdames J. Anderson, Duncan, and Misses Anderson had charge of the next sfau, which was heavily stocked with artier, very few of which could not classed under the head of the stnc . useful. They comprised some pretty wa colour drawings, including a 6°°“ °{J. . Warwick Castle, richly-worked cushions, fender stools, cosies, and slippers j rega» caps, in all colours,- a large collection of go pl“n wearing apparel .-several charm. nd on or two good-sized wheelbarrows. To the « of this stall, and immediately m front platform were two Christmas trees, lad with prizes, and attended to by Mrs M Doug Sd t&es M'Dougall- The succeeding stall was presided over by Mesdames Oa P and Watts and the Mi «seß striking feature in conneotion with t w display of cabinet work Campbell. This comprised a 100 inlaid top, two stands for holding tw> a lady’s toilet box, a violm , leßg lady’s cotton holders, al design inlaid with native _ woods. » Ih<r in each instance being very

■articles J were all the, re&Ofc,. ' off Jsr! UampbeU’s own handiwork, and didroredit alike, to his taste and skill. The stall itself was Very fully stocked' With articles, noticeable among whifh were lustres, l*kKU». ’ leatherware m a variety of designs, •> qirahfty of very useful children’s clothing, handsome specimens of Biaok!nk4iJ)eiSlitojMrt,j and a «£iatiwi IpiM IText to this stall was, one wbmh’hore the; attractive title "Young ladies’ stall,” and a! prominent feature in its varied assortment of articles on sale wasadoUbridejhandsomely and appropriately dressedhyMiaaliaird. The surrounding goods comprised a very Choice' lot of vases, sheep, goat, send kangaroo skin mats, wool work, rabbit skin . chest preservers, a small ottoman with beautiful cover, a dollhouse furnished in a modem and alegftht style, stacks made by Mr T. Napier and Mr Coulter, one . having a most grotesquely carved head for the handle, anda number of garden tools. To the left of thli stall was the refreshment department . UDderthe able care of Mesdante* Bruoeand Broadley, where luncheon, based on a very liberal bill of fare, could be had at ode shilling each. There was also a choice stock of fruity confectionery, and general refreshments on sale at remarkably moderate charges. The stands of toot plants previously adverted, to were under the business management of the Misses Wilson and, Mr Frederick Anderson, who neglected no opportunity to effect a sale, and were rewarded with a large amount of success. The attendance during the day whs rather limited, owing, no doubt, to the unpleasant weather ; but in the evening there was quite a crush of friends anxious to invest loose cash in aid of the new church. The receipts for the day thus became tolerably good, but it is hoped that much more Will be received to-day| During the; evening, some excellent, selections of instrumental music were contributed! by Messrs Poore (flute), Weber (piano), Oppen* beim (comet), and Spensley (violoncello)., The Wizard of the South also gave a series of performances, which were well attended and very successful.

The bazaar will open again this afternoon and evening. ■