FANCY FAIR.—ST. LUKE'S PARSONAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4666, 27 October 1876, Page 3

FANCY FAIR.—ST. LUKE'S PARSONAGE.

A aid crf fcfieMffinitff WBaßP3SSNldrii^sSi^iaEa^3MH£! [opened yesteid4y t "in;;&s.»&Wisnilding »d* joimag~theßank of New-Zealand. It- had | originally been determined to hold the (bazaar in Hobson's Buildings, bat almost at f the last moment the negotiations proved unI successful, and Borne little trouble was experienced in procuring a building suitable for | the purpose. However, determined persei severance met with its due reward, and the establishment which has been secured is ' eminently suited to the requirements of the i occasion. -The display of goods was pleasing ( in the extreme, and their number arid variety shewed beyond a doubt that the lissom fingers of" the ladies have been kept fully employed during the last few weeks. There are three stalls on the eastern side of the room, one at the southern, and one on the western side, while seats are placed down the centre for the convenience of visitors.- The place was beautifully -decorated with festoons of flags, flowers, and.ferns, which set off to great advantage the innumerable articles disposed around the walls and at the sides and fronts of the different stalls'." No. 1 stall (St. Sepulchre's) is presided over by Mrs. Dudley and a number of young ladies belonging to the congregation ; No. 2 (Mount Albert) by Mrs. Captain James, Mrs. Clayton, and the Misses Aicken; Nos. 3 and 4 by Mrs. Webster and Arnold, assisted by a number of young lady friends ; and No. 5 (the refreshment 8tall) by Mesdames Dickson and Gard. A portion of Nos. 3 and 4 stalls is termed the Tavanaki department. At the side of No. 1 stall was a table supporting a collection of Melanesian curiosities presented by the Eevs. J. JR. Selwyn and J. Still. These, comprising • weapons of various kinds, the model of a cutter, and a curious musical instrument, formed of a number of hollow canes or reeds bound together, andewheri blown 'into giving forth sounds similar to a mouth-orgau, attracted the attention of a goodly proportion of the visitors. • There were wool pictures, dolls innumerable, specimens of kauri gum, bead footstools, wax flowers, "an artistically worked ottoman, and baby's easy chair, sketches in water colours, ferns, fly-catchers, brooches, cosies, and various articles of fancy work, the names of which are only known to ladies themselves. At the side of the refreshment "stall wa's'a ; large Christmas tree laden with scent bottles, pincushins, housewives, kettle-holders, babies' bonnets and socks, dolls, packets of bonbons, penwipers, ballß, bookmarkers, &c., &c. At one period of the evening little wax candles dispersed all over the tree were lit, and added an additional charm to the appearance of the room. Though it is rather invidious on bur part to particularise, we feel constrained to notice two well-finished leathern cornices, the' contributions of Mrs. Adnam, a miniature bed with curtains, and other necessary adjuncts, the model of a Thames church, several beautifully ornamented cups, carved from coacoanut shells by the Messrs. Morrow of Newton Road, and a magnificent vase of wax-flowers, the work of a Mr. Samuel Howard, 72 years of age. There was also a vory large and attractive looking doll in a glass case, the admiration and delight of all the little girls who visited the exhibition. At No. I stall a pretty'.little:,fortune-teller was '.kept busily employed—most of the anxious enquirers being perfectly satisfied with the revelations concerning ' their future afforded them. There were not many visitors during the afternoon, but as evening gave place to night, they dropped in by twos and threes, until the place ' was full. The scene was very animated. Young ladies, with attendant squires, were fitting about in all directions, anxious that no one should be forgotten in the great raffle which was about to commence, and in order to complete the list for which " just one more name" was required. - Lucky b a g s were likewise in great requisition, and many and hearty were the peals of laughter which the drawings for prizes elicited. We noticed that bashful young bachelors generally drew a pair of baby's socks, or some other equally indispensable article of infant's clothing, while the young ladies proved similarly buccessful or unfortunate, as they variously chose to consider it, in securing gentlemen's elaborately braided smoking caps. Mr. Crook had a table to himself, on which was mounted a fine microscope. By means of this the gentleman, with great affability and courtesy, exhibited to those present a large number of things both curious and rare, giving at the same time a lucid explanation of each. Precisely at 10 o'clock the bazaar was closed, and will re-open at 2 o'clock this afternoon. The day's takings were as follow:—Door, £8: No. 1 stall, £11 19s 5d ; No. 2 stall, £3 10s; Nos. 3 and 4 stalls, £S 0s 6d ; refreshment stall, £1 6s Cd : total, £32 15s sd. The Kevs. B. T. Dudley and Willis were present during the day, and did their best to make the affair a success. To-morrow and Saturday the refreshment stall will be managed by Airs. A. K. Taylor. A post-office will be initiated to-morrow evening, and the post-mistress informs us that a large mail awaits delivery. On this occasion, also, the proceedings will bo greatly • enlivened by the presence of a piano, upon "which numerous selections of music will be played. We likewise learn that efforts are to be made to secure the services of a brass band which will be stationed at the entrance to the building.