AUCKLAND CITY' MISSION AND CHILDREN'S HOME BAZAAR.

New Zealander, Volume XXIV, Issue 2618, 7 April 1866, Page 3

AUCKLAND CITY' MISSION AND CHILDREN'S HOME BAZAAR.

The bazaar in aid of the above excellent and useful institution was opened for public patronage at noon yesterday. The necessity for the existence of such a local charity is apparent and freely acknowledged, and its maintenance is an object which should commend itself to the feelings and practical sympathies of every benevolent and Christian person in Auckland. From its establishment its managers have had many and varied difficulties to contend with, and trusting to the liberal support of the public a considerable debt was entailed in the erection of the building, and supporting those destitute children admitted into the Home, of which about £7OO still remains unpaid, Since the opening of the institution the average number of children under its care ha 3 been thirty, who have been fed, clothed, and educated. It had been eonducted on the most economic system. The expenditure for supporting the Home and carrying on the mission had been about £ls per week, which has now been reduced to £l2 10s. They have been obliged to close the dayschool, in order to bring the expenditure within the income. Some time ago it was felt that an effort should be made to liquidate the debt, and it was resolved to hold a bazaar for that purpose. A working committee of ladies was formed to carry out the undertaking, and those favourable to the laudable object were requested to forward contributions to the following ladies :—Mesdames Colonel Gamble, R. Graham, W. Morrin, Fischer, Philson, J. Morrin, Macdonald, Hooker, Hill, Bennett, S. 11. Smith, Edwards, Cornford, and Cunningham. Contributions of more or less value were sent from the Christian people of Auckland. The ladies on the working committee were most zealous anil energetic in their exertions to contribute to the success of the bazaar. They met on every Tuesday afternoon at the Mission for the purpose of making up articles of needle-work for sale, some of the material used having been gratuitously given them. Among the principal contributors we may mention the names of Mesdames Bennett, Fisher, S. Hague Smith. Cornford, Mason, Booker, Macdonald, Henderson, and Hall. The bazaar was opened on Wednesday, at the Young Men's Christian Association rooms, corner of Albert and Wellesleystreels; and the display, both as regards the extent and value of the articles, is lrghly creditable to the promoters. The reading-room presented a rich aid attractive appearance from the flags and gay festooms with which it was profusely decorated, and the array of various objects of beauty and worth so temptingly disposed on the respective stalls, which were tastefully and judiciously arranged around the spacious assembly-room. Without attempting to particularise the various articles displayed for sale, we may simply state that they consisted of the usual variety of merchandise to be obtained at such fancy sales, many of the articles being the result of the applied intellect, skill, and industry of the fair and generous contributors. The stalls were presided over by the following ladies:—No, 1 stall : Mrs. Cornford, Miss Page, Miss Carson, Miss Edwiirds, Miss Carter, Miss Black. No. 2 stall : Mrs. Clark, Mrs and Miss Bennett, Mrs. Copland, jfo. 3 stall: Mrs. Hall, >li». rTisber, Miss

Rout, Miss Somervell, Mias Bloomfielcf. No. 4 stall: Mrs. Cooper, Mis* Uhthank, Mrs. S, Hague Smith, The refreshment stall was amply provided by Mrs. Cites, Queen-street. During the afternoon, we are glade to slate, the bazaar was largely patronised, and many of the articles disposed of to the visitors. The artieles of needlework are exceedingly handsome, and the) prices asked not unreasonable high. The fair saleswomen seemed to fully understand their business, and are most indefatigable in their endeavours to make the most of the undertaking, and to emulate each other in the extent of their business transactions, and the prices they were able to realise. The proceedings were enlivened during the evening by the performances of a band. The opening day of the bazaar has been most encouraging, and it promises to bo successful. We sincerely trust it will result in permanent good in the maintenance of an institution which has conferred incalculable benefits on the children of the poor and friendless in this city, and which never was more needed in Auckland than at the

present time. The bazaar was continued on Thursday, and yesterday, and we have reason to believe that altogether a very handsome sum has been realised.