CATHOLIC ART UNION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXV, Issue 147, 25 June 1889, Page 2

CATHOLIC ART UNION.

We have not yet had to chronicle a more thoroughly successful affair in Blenheim than the Art Union which came off last evening in Ewart's flail. Thanks to the marvellous assiduity of the ladies who ' had the arrangements in hand, the hall was prepared before 7 o'clock for the reception of visitors, but nobody was prepared for their coming in such crowds. Before midnight there were at least 400 people in the place at one time. The room was not very largely patronised before tea. A glance inside just before seven o'clock, however, showed that the most complete and judicious preparation had been made. The hall was swept and garnished. Near the entrance to the right stood the sulky "the observed of all observers." Below stretched the refreshment table, laid in a nice comfortable homely manner, and presided over, with her usual kindly tact by Mrs C. Redwood, who had a host of willing aides. In tea, coffee, and sandwiches, so brisk a business was done that the ladies were able to hand in £6 15s as the proceeds of that table. On the other side were two tables, the one loaded with articles to be raffled and the other bearing the prizes. From the ambuscade behind the former table, Mrs McCabe and Mrs Brown sent forth their skirmishers in the shape of bewitching and sharp eyed girls, who attacked everybody with irresistible requests for shillings for this or that raffle. The result was that everything was disposed of as if by steam. Round the walls were hung pictures, mantel-drapes, banners. The pictures by the Sisters of Mercy attracted great attention, the forest scene, which was on view in this office some little time ago heing facile princeps. Two enlarged portraits of Eev Father Lewis were much admired, and a portrait of Charles Stewart Parnell attracted all eyes. The display though not large, was excellent, and the management perfect. The Hibernian Band attended for the first hour and played some admirable selections. We were astonished at the progress they had made ; their playing last night was admirable, though it would have sounded to better advantage had the weather permitted of their standing in the Hall grounds instead of inside. A few minutes after seven o'clock the Eev Father Lewis conducted His Worship the Mayor and Archbishop Redwood to seats on the platform, and silence having been bespoken His Worshiphad very great pleasure in presiding on this occasion, the more bo, as the cursory inspection he had just made of the articles had . shewn him that the ticket-holders Btood to win genuine works of art ; and the object of the affair was one that must commend itself to them all, viz : the erection of a suitable presbytery for Rev Fathers Lewis and Aubrey. To those excellent gentlemen it must be highly pleasing to see the readiness with which the matter had been taken, up not only by their own people but by outsiders, for the Art Union had been patronised liberally by people of all denominations. Before sitting down he would intimate that the few remaining tickets would be sold at once, and the drawing would take place immediately. He would now formally declare the Art Union open (applause). His Grace the Archbishop then being pressed to speak, said there was nothing left for him to say after the remarks of His Worship the Mayor. He was indeed pleased to be present and to see such evidences, not merely of zeal among the Catholics, but of generosity among the non-Catholics who had rallied aroun3 them. He heartily thanked the. nonCatholics for their generous suppoff of the Art Union. Doubtless there would be some glad and some sad hearts when the drawing was over, but they might comfort themselves with the philosophical reflection that this was like Hfe itself, whioh after all was a great lottery; He wished them all success and enjoyment. (Loud applause). The unsold tickets were not long unsold, for there was immediately . a olamorous demand for them, and just after eight o'clock the modus operandi of drawing was decided upon, and the work begun on the stage, but after a time it was suggested that the committee should retire to a back room. This was done, and the guerilla army of raffle-girls. renewed their attack upon the visitors, and the merry jingle of nimble shillings, and the busy hum of conversation, and continual ripples of laughter kept the hall quite lively. Some of the prize winners, in the raffles were announced from the platform, and when one diminutive, but fashionably dressed doll was held up as the property (acquired by raffle) of a popular medico there was a roar of laughter. The doctor did not however olaim the little lady. "The drawing was conducted with perfect and scrupulous fairness. In a bag were placed all the ticket blocks, and in a ballot-box an equal number of squares of cardboard. One boy stationed at the bag drew out a ticket, which he handed to Mr J. B. Green, who, called out its number, when the boy at the box drew out a cardboard square, and handed it to the Mayor, who examined it, and called "prize" or "blank," as the case might be. There were about 6000 tickets and 50 prizes. The drawing, which occupied from 8.15 p.m. to 2.25 in the morning, was conducted throughout in this manner, ,and we can testify from observation and participation, that the Committee worked with patience' and care. The Committee was composed of His Worship the Mayor, Messrs Jos. Ward, Eckford, J. B. Green, and Houldsworth. Messrs M'Cabe and Kirby relieved each other as "scribe," and took down the numbers. While all this was going on the raffling and other profitable diversions went on merrily, and Mr Gaskill, our inimitable comedian, delighted the audience with several character sketches, in which he was ably accompaaied by Mr W. Haydn Flood. The ladies worked like Trojans, (we use that time honoured expression io all its fulness) Mesdames C. Redwood, J. O'Leary, W. Clifford, and P. Meehanat the refreshment buffet; Mesdames T. Redwood and E. Fairhall at the fancy stall; Mesdames. McCabe and Brown at the raffle stall. , ■ • The first- prize in the art union, the portrait of the Archbishop, (ticket 2422) went to Mr A. M. Leary of Doyleston," Canterbury; the second prize, the much coveted sulky, fell to Master Percy Redwood (159) who was hoisted on the table and congratulated on his luck ; the third, 15 sovereigns (29) to Mr S. Eves. Other principal prize-takers were:— Prize 43, Jas. Nolan; 14, Father O'Connor (Rangiora); 12, Mrs W. J. Verry; 46, W. Fryer jun. ; 44, R. T. G. Goulter; 50, "L»;7, M. Sullivan ; 49, Walter Bell ; 5, —Wall (Scarborough) ; 20, A. Adams; 28, A. Linton ; 37, H. Hammond ; 38, G. Hassell; 41, Mrs Fraser; 21, G. Southborough ; 4, Mrs Chas. Watson ; 26, "J" • 23, John Storey. ' When the takings were counted over it was found that £26 had been taken at the door, £40 from the raffles, and £6 15s 'at the buffet, in all £72 15s, and the ladies had good reason to be delighted at a success which was mainly achieved by ihem. New goods for the Autumn and Winter seasons. The best value in dress mate, rials, including Melton cloths, striped homespuns, cashmeres, and fancy stuffs. Velveteens, plushes, and trimmings. Scotch twill sheetings, flannels, blankets, etc. Millinery in all the leading shapes. A special line of children's plush caps, Is 9d. Men's aud boys' clothing. Mercery and hats in great variety. Suits of all kinds made to order. An early inspection respectfully solicited. — Smale & &x direct importers, London House,