ST. BENEDICT'S CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9025, 11 April 1888, Page 5

ST. BENEDICT'S CHURCH.

PATTERN AND FANCY FAIR.

A pattern and fancy fair in aid of the funds of St. Benedict's Church and the monastery of the Benedictine Fathers, was opened yesterday evening in the new church building, East-street. The handsome new structure which has been raised on the ruins of the first St. Benedict's Church (destroyed by fire) was only given up possession of by the builders on Monday morning, and Mr. Owen Mahon, with a staff of assistants, at once commenced preparations for the exhibition. They were engaged during the whole of Monday night and yesterday in decorating the building, erecting stalls, and completing the other arrangements necessary for the success of the fair. The result of their labours is worthy of the greatest praise. The decorations especially have been carried out in a most tasteful manner; huge nikau palms, with shrubs and evergreens, have been so disposed that the walls of the church have been almost hidden from view, whilst nikau and fern fronds, together with innumerable choice bouquets, have been used in profusion in the adornment of the various stall? and conservatories. The effect, of j the charming scene is heightened by the bunting suspended from the roof and walls. At a conservatory in the centre of the room, flowers and hothouse plants, displayed in choice profusion, are offered for sale, Mrs. J. Boylan, Misses Boylan, O'Sullivan (2), Mulvaney and Kelly being in charge. A line of stalls has been erected at the eastern end of the building, and the first of these is for refreshments, the " festal board" being laden with an appetising show of tooth some morsels. Mesdames Mcllhone, Condon, Moore, and Misses Field, Scbtt, and Hayden presided over this stall, whilst Misses Willis, Heath, Murphy, Burke, Chitty, E. Burke, and P. Danzey, and Mrs. O'Donoghue are in charge of the fancy goods tables, the display here being rnoSt creditable. A valuable walnut escritoire, presented by Mr. P. Brophy, is a feature at these stalls, whilst the collection of vases, epergnes, and bric-a-brac, work - baskets, cushions, crewel and embroidery work, etc., is worthy of attention. The western wing of the church is devoted to the purposes of an art gallery, a large number of pictures being exhibited. The "children's fairyland is under the direction of Misses Boylan and Scanlon. Though there is little that is aesthetic at the first stall on the western side, there is a good deal of the practical, for the exhibit is one of first-class potatoes, onions, etc., shown by Mr. M. Burke. A number of other exhibits are also shown here. The exhibition was opened shortly after 8 o'clock by Bishop Luck, who briefly addressed the large assemblage, amongst those present being the Rev. Dr. Egan, Very Rev. Fathers O'Sullivan and Downey, and Rev. Fathers Lenihan, O'Gara, and Wissell. A fancy dress procession followed, and the maypole dance by twenty four children then took place under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Mahon, the movements being accurately performed by the children," who were loudly applauded at the termination of the dance. Mr. Sheahan's band was present during the evening, and played several airs. This evening the exhibition will again be open, and a concert will be given.