WAIMATE ROMAN CATHOLIC CUURCH BAZAAR.

North Otago Times, 23 May 1908, Page 1

WAIMATE ROMAN CATHOLIC CUURCH BAZAAR.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent,) - St. ( Patrick's Church, now in course of erection, is sufficiently forward to ihow that it will jbo a beautiful and .ommodious church building. .Towards, .'he-expense of the building the sum ,}f JMOOO has been already 'renLssJ, Vnd tho balance of cost, about i1',,00,it is expected, will be rcals.d by the proceeds of "Tho Grand Imperial ii'air," opened on tho 21st in't, in the Volunteer, drill shed. There was n targe assembly of people at the opening last Thursday. The drill shed was instated, as, the largo num! er ol jcople present would not Lave room if seats were provided, Ono side of tho hall was taken up with five good-sized stalls, well h'llo.l with pictures, embroidery work of various lands, and other useful and ornamental art'clcs, I'ho stalls hud tho emblems and words •' Dominion," ',' Ireland," " Engln d," "Scotland," and "Produce" respectively over them, and each \ resided over and aftonded by ladies in suit' able dresses. The other, side of W mil was occupied by a shoofng gallery, and the end. of-the hall, opi'o iti the entrance wail taken) up with a largo ilatformthe full breadth'of tho hall. Tho Wnimate Brass Band performed outsido tho building heforo tho opening ceremony. Tho orchestra consisted ol six violins, ono buss, two cornets, mil piano. Thero wero on tho plat form at tho opening ceremony Mr N, jirnncis .(Mayor of Waimntc, in chair), Sir W. J. Steward M.P., Mr J. Man. Chester (ex-Mayor), Bova P, Begnault (Dean), Lcmant do Chesnaut neral), • Monsignor M'Kay of Oamuru, Revs, Aubrey (P.P.) nnd'Timmonn (CO.), Lady Stewart and other ladies.

In introducing tho Cha rman of the meeting Dean Rcgnault Bpoko on the efforts of the congregation of St. ratrick's Church, Wnimate, to erect a new building for church purposes, thi old; building being of wood, ahd from incrcaso of congregation enti'.olj Inadequate to the requirements o! tho , continually increasing congrega lion. It was iat first proposed to add to the old Church ro as to increase tho'accommodation, but niter discussion on the matter it was considered moro advisable, to erect a new buildiiig altogethcu of stone and brick, and this plan was accordingly adopted, Previous donations and subscriptions with tris object amount.d to about £IOOO. The. estimated coat willbi. about £SOOO, and it is hoped thai the effort by this means of a "Grand Imperial Fair" and tafaar wi'l result in the obtainment of tho balance, no that when ercckd the; new church ivould bo fro! of debt. Ho ncVnowlodged with gratitude and pleasure tin able help cf Fathers Aubrey (P.P.) find Timraons (curate), and the pco plo of Waimotc, especially the ladies of tho' congregation for generous and enthusiastic support in carrying oat the idea, and hoped for'successful issue. Ho also expressed great pleasure at the presence that ovening of \Vai. 'mate's hew. Mayor, Mr N.'Frtai'ls/Jlr J. Maitchey'ter, immediate o'xrMayor.. Moping [the now Mayor pay provo as good' and liberal as his predecessor,; also ; ok;-tho. presence of Sir.W. J, Steward, whoso publio services of o\'ei thirty '• years as member of tho district , wore acknowledged so efficiently by" aiicli • lArgc .majorities of electors at tho' several elections. Ho (Dean Reg nault), felt very sorry to have to leave ffalmate, after,'nearly twenty ywrsol Very pleasant and|hnppy.experiences of tho kindness of tho people and 'thf healthy,, prosperous,. and progrcssivi condition of this beautiful, district U-hlch 'lie loved so-well., He. Thou moved Mr Francis to the chair ffli the opening 'of the Itoar, y iMr-Frnricjs thanked the Deani for hi) Idnd rcierenco to him as Mayor, ;and Joined 'with Hm in.hoping hq would • creditably fill tho' position eo ably fill: eel hf Us predecessor; Mr Manchester ft Francis wm also thankful for-'tfit

honor coiifcn-ccl on him'by invitatiou lo this ceremony at this very lorgq dssemblagoof people. Ho'congratulat, od the Dean and ukvgy a'rd the con grcgntion of St, Faitrick'fl. Church 011 the progress of their teautiful church building, tho success oflh| financial work so far, and the fait prospect of success to open tho chureli freo of debt. Ho wished happiness and prosperity to tho promoters and helpers-in tho work, and good suc.'es) to'itho bazaar, ' Sir W. J. Steward and ih J. Man chestcr also spoke in terms of congratulation on tho present lavcrablf conditions, and on tha near rrospecj of sficccsa and completion cf tl:o-wor\ of erecting a-new church for their Roman Catholic friends, Threo cheers wero jiven for the Mayor, for Dean Bognault, and the bazaar, •

Tho "Waimate Grand Imperial Fair" was then declared by Mr Fran' cis to bo open for the butiness for which it was instituted. After tho conclusion of tlio opening ceremony.a very pleasing, and well organised "Floral Dauca" by forty young girls was carried out in porfoet order,' stylo and time, to (he music of a. strong land, The girls wore dressed in a pleas ng vorio ty"of J(vila.druses, .onolMvitHsjerai-ciiV oulnr floral wreaths held >..y both hands. Tho beautiful fisurrs r.nd variety of evolutions in this spectaculai exhibition wore admired by all ire. sent, after which •flic'onh.s'r.i, con. sisling of six violins, one ]ps", two comets, an/1 l'iano, under tho conduc. torship of Mr I.o o mu rendcrd a well selected . scries of mostly I-Mi airs in good style. The ordinary bazaar business by the stall il'eopen and numerous; daintily dressed attendants and tick'et-sellcra was then commenced, and apparently brisk and, no doubt, profitable financial work prevailed. It is proposed to~ l continuo 'he baraor to tho 30th inst.