THE YOUNG MEN’S BAZAAR,

New Zealander, Volume XX, Issue 2142, 16 June 1864, Page 3

THE YOUNG MEN’S BAZAAR,

Yesterday the long talked of bazaar in aid of the fund for the erection of rooms for the Auckland Young Men’s Christian Association was opened at the Odd Fellow’s Hall, and if wo may judge only by the happy looks and voices of all present, both young and old, the bazaar was a great success. The Hall had been obtained for the occasion from Mr. Thatcher, who has so long filled it nightly by his popular entertainment for the people ; and the thanks of the committee are certainly due to that gentleman for the sacrifice he has made in so doing. The Hall was most tastefully decorated with flags from some ■of the ships in hr.rbour, and with evergreens. On the previous night a party of young men were busily engaged in erecting the stalls, and otherwise transforming the Hall into a picturesque scene. In its centre was situate a nikau tree, elegantly fixed and towering to the ceiling of the Hall. In one of the bowers thus formed was placed a very tastefully executed paste-board model of a New Zealand village in the present century, and exhibiting various phases of modern refinement. In the centre as a corn-factory, with the wind-mill, and at a short distance off the “ Ked Lion Inn ” is indicated by a gaudy sign, suspended from an old tree hard by. There is the running brook, with its pellucid stream of crystal waterj at which a parched and weary foot-passenger, with stick and bundle and old dog Tray, has stopped to catch a draught of that which “ cheers but not inebriates.” Then there is the wooden hoarded bridge, “ one of the °ldeu time,” —but unfortunately not commonly improved upon in this Province, —which crosses the stream and leads to the village church, situate on an eminence, with a parsonage house adjacent. In the old porch may be seen an elderjy couple ahouut to pay their devotions, and smiling placidly as the words recur to their minds, “ How delightful are Thy tabernacles. ’ Coupled with various decorations, and an interior view ■of a model cottage belonging to the middle class, which ra 'veil and economically furnished, this tree and dressings form the central decoration of the hall. At the entrance, and at the opposite end of the hall, there are three arches—the one at tire end forming the refreshment stall, and two continuous stalls on each side of the room, each attended by a bevy of the fair sex. In addition to the hall itself, the large ante-room is fitted up with a phantasmagoria magic lantern, which was in full working order. At the end of the hall, under the nicely d ecorated balcony for the hand of the 50th Regiment, is situate the chef tTceuvre of the exhibition—the gorgeous display of confectionery, jellies, blanche mange, cooling beverages, and bonbons too numercius to enumerate. This stall has been liberally contributed to in response to the pathetic appeal of the committee. The supply, in fact, quite excels their most sanguine expectations. Where all have been so anxious to promote the success of the bazaar, it would be invidious to particularize any persons as even prominent in contributing to ensure that success: the appeal was Sirong, and the assistance of those who rallied to the call has been equally marked and successful. By way of filling up the time between the attractions of the ladies the stalls, the confection store, and the dissolving v iews, Mr. Brown, of the Harmonic Society Concerts, a’cry skilfully performed on a fine-toned harmonium,, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr. Webb, of the Music Saloon, Fort-street, whilst after dusk the splendid band of Il.H.’s 50th Regiment was comfortably ensconced in Hie much-admired orchestra, affording to the other attractions of the bazaar a concord of sweet sounds, comprising the most popular music of the day. We thought on entering that we had seldom seen anything of the »frd prettier than the effect of the gay colours of the stalls, and of the various decorations placed around the .

sides of the building—of the bright dresses and brighter faces of the ladies who were to be the sellers of the various articles arranged on every hand. We congratulate those whose task it was to prepare the hall on the result obtained by their diligence and good taste. Some ladies, no doubt, will be not a little surprised, like ourselves, when they hear that such a gorgeous and withal tasty display was the handiwork of half-a-dozen members of the Young Men’s Christian Association, and was produced without the assistance of any members of the fair sex. Some would fain have us believe that the young men of the present day are quite innocent, of all decorative taste or artistic skill, devoid of the patience and refined feeling necessary for such a work,’ and given up to vain amusements or vulgar practises. But the devoted labours of those who spent their time and talents in the adornment of the Odd Fellow’s Hall for the purposes of this fancy fair proves that Auckland possesses some rightminded sensible young men, who do not merit all the illnames bestowed upon them by- fastidious relatives and maiden aunts. But praiseworthy as were the labours of the young men, and successful as their efforts have proved, we are compelled to turn from them to notice the services of the ladies on this occasion. When looking at the taste of the young men, we for a moment entertained the idea that the ladies were not indispensable requisites to the success ot a bazaar, and that the halfdozen young men alluded to, would prove formidable rivals to the bazaar fancy ; but by evening we abandoned the idea as utopian, and proceeded to award them the meed of praise so justly due to their exertions. Fancy fairs and bazaars have long been favourite modes employed by our fair friends when they wish to raise funds for any object they may-have at heart. We have seen bazaars held for all sorts of objects ; in fact, Thatcher says—- “ Bazaars are fashionable here, And in this town, I vow, To raise the wind for lots of schemes, The folks employ them now ; To pay- the debt that’s on a Church, Get up bazaars they will ; And actually the Volunteers Once paid their tailor’s bill. Through the medium of a bazaar.” But undertakings of this kind are sometimes entered on to serve some really meritorious purposes, and the bazaar held yesterday- and to-day in the Odd Fellow’s Hall,’to raise funds for the erection of a building for the purposes of the Auckland Young Men’s Christian Association, comes within the latter category. The ladies having taken the matter in hand, proceeded with their accustomed energy to make the necessary preparations, and hundreds of busy fingers have been employ-ed for the past few months in preparing the thousand and one articles for use and luxury which go to make up such an exhibition. It was a pleasing thought which struck us as we promenaded the room that everything we could see was a free offering, so that each stall was an indication that many- kind hearts and willing fingers had been working away to add their gift te the good cause. The stalls on the right side of the hall were presided over and contributed by—Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Bain, Mrs. Dacre, Mrs. Lloyd, Mrs. Long, Mrs. Philson, Mrs. Seabrook, and Mrs. Warren ; and those on the opposite side by—Mrs. Hamer, Mrs. Warner, Mrs. Alexander, Mrs. Cornford, Mrs. Hill, Mrs. Macdonald, and Mrs. S. Hague Smith. The stall at the upper end of the hall was that indispensable to every gathering of Englishmen, whether at home or at the antipodes, the refreshment stall, at which Mrs. Leaning, Mrs. Cadman, Mrs. Hazlett, and Mr. Lincoln were assiduously engaged in dealing out the creature comforts. Their presence was a sufficient guarantee of the excellence of the eatables and drinkables provided. The articles contributed were too numerous to enumerate, but there were some demanding more particular attention, as sketches of New Zealand scenery-, books of ferns, embroidery, well-executed models in card-board, carefully drawn maps, wax vases and flowers of exquisite workmanship, choice plants, pet dolls, favorite cats,, liliputiau frocks, model villas, leviathan wax-work, &c., &c. In the evening a prominent feature of the bazaar was the exhibition of the dissolving views by Messrs. Harrison and Berghan. The anteroom in which this interesting display- was given could not be approached by- those sensitive of steel pressure or pokes in the ribs, so great was the crush. On no former occasion have we witnessed the pursuit of pleasure under such difficulties. To see the contents of the stalls was utterly impossible in the evening, so great was tbe throng of visitors. Some my-sterious mode of enlarging the confined limits of the Odd Fellows’ Hall on the occasion would have been a happy- relief to the almost stifled visitors, and a great boon to the fair stall-keepers, who would by this moans have realised double and treble their receipts under tbe circumstances. The band of the 60th Regiment, under Mr. Gassner’s able conduct, contributed greatly to the evening’s enjoyment. The lighting of the room was veiy- successfully- undertaken by Messrs. Stanford & Co., of Queen-street, who have succeeded in gaining a notorietv for lighting tbe town with their patent kerosene lamps. The display made by this firm added greatly to the beauty of the scene, and reflected the highest credit on the taste of the person who arranged the lights, as well as for their tasteful selection. As we could not get near enough to seethe contents of the various stalls, ,jt is impossible to give fuller particulars of their numerous contents. Suffice it to say, tbe exhibition has not been excelled by any- previous display of fancy goods in Auckland, nor has the number of visitors been excelled, judging from the crowded state of the Hall last evening. A prominent feature of this Bazaar was tbe dispensing with all raffling or questionable modes of disposing of heavy goods. The committee had set their faces against such methods of disposing of goods, and consequently the services of the young ladies who are usually so indefatigable at this business were not called into requisition ; and their listlessness last evening compelled them to confess that “ their occupation was gone.” Gambling calls for the censure of all right-minded individuals, but the innocent method of disposing of certain articles by means of prizes and blanks cannot be said to come under the category of wrong-doiig; whilst it affords allowable interest and amusement to tbe visitors. True, it fre quently happens that “little swindles ” are perpetrated under this guise ; but what scheme has not its counterfeit ? However, the committee determined to be on the safe side, and we can fully sympathize with their determination. We trust and believe they will not be losers by their laudable effort to maintain a good principle. The amount of the proceeds yesterday may be roughlyestimated at £228, which—the inconvenience of the room taken into consideration —may- be set down as a very- successful realization. Had the Hall afforded better accommodation, a much larger sum would doubtless have been realised. As it is, however, the bazaar may be considered a decided success for the object contemplated. We were much pleased, too, to see the general support given by the church people and dissenters. It is a common acceptation that what is everybody’s business is nobody’s, and it has on more than one occasion been feared that this useful institution would lose its local habitation and name because it was not under the auspices of any particular church or congregation. The catholicity of its aim has, however, in the present instance, been amply acknowledged by the very general support it has received ; and we trust that the Auckland Young Men’s Christian Association will long continue to receive such support. The bazaar was closed shortly after ten o’clock in the evening, and will re-open at noon this day. The dissolving views, which are chiefly illustrative of natural history, and deserving the highest encomiums, will be again exhibited this evening. A notice appears in our advertising columns intimating that in consequence of the over crowding of the bazaar last night, there will be no half-price this evening, and no children admitted without their parents —a very wise arrangement, seeing the loss sustained by the uncomfortable rush last nir-ht