MATAURA PIPE BAND

Mataura Ensign, 18 March 1910, Page 4

MATAURA PIPE BAND

OPENING OF BAZAAR. The bazaar promoted by the Mataura Pipe Band to raise funds to procure uniforms and instruments was commenced in tho Horticultural Hall lust night. The band paraded the streets, and rendered a number of selections, after which, punctual to advertised time, tho doors wore opened, everything being in readiness for a start to business. Tho hall was soon tilled with a crowd eager to purchase, and the stall-holders had a busy time. The Mayor (Mr A. Balneaves) in declaring the bazaar open, explained the objects desired, and said lie was pleased to see the people responding to the call by patronising the function so well. The cost of setting up each player with a uniform and instrument would run into something like £3O, which would bo a great tax on the young fellows if they had to equip themselves. It was quite enough for them to givo their services, and it was only a fitting thing for the people of the town to support the project. There were in the band fifty members, nineteen of whom were playing members. Pipe bands were becoming very popular all over the Dominion and they should in time have a band in their midst equal to any other town. He hoped the people would spend freely and he was sure they would get good value for their money as the stalls contained articles of good quality. Ho trusted the committee would be well rewarded for their efforts.

The various stalls were well filled with a good collection of useful and ornamental articles. The plain stall consisted of articles of drapery all locally made. In the art and crafts stall there were some very good specimens, and in the fancy work stall was a large and varied collation of neat and pretty work. The sweets stall was largely patronised. A good amount was collected for the guessing competitions for the bicycle built by Messrs A. Hill and Son, and for the sheep presented by Messrs Aitken and Telfer. The Christmas Tree was heavily laden with a fina assortment of various kinds of toys, and was well patronised, as also was the bran tub. The refreshment stall brought in a good return, the catering being all that could be desired. One of the principal features of the Fair was the Scotch entertainment, for which the stage was set apart, and for the small sum of sixpence a splendid programme was given. Songs were rendered by Messrs Abernethy, Ewen Cameron, L. Barr, P. Tait, J. Johnston, Mrs \Yaudell and Miss Brown. Miss Stella Glennie gave dances which alone were more than worth the prico of admission. Mr W. Cameron also danced a Highland Fling in his usual good style. Mrs P. Amos accompanied the vocalists, and Mr D. Cameron the dancers.

The following is a list of the stallholders:—Tea rooms, Mrs Evison and Misses Barclay, Sinclair and Scott; Christmas Tree, Misses Adam, McLood, Helm, Nellie Sinclair; bran tub, Misses Dun and Sinclair; fancy work, Mrs Watt and Miss Balneaves; arts and crafts, Mrs Amos and Miss Brown; plain stall, Mesdames Coster and Misses Hastie and Wall; produce, Mrs Waddell; shooting gallery, Mr G. Mncaulay; lollies, Misses Marion Waddell and Ivy Smith.

The secretaries (Messrs Buckley and Watt) were untiring to ensure a successful function

The bazaar will be open Again this evening, when a minstrel entertainment of a very high order will be giv;>n.