BAPTIST CHURCH BAZAAR.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 421, 6 March 1880, Page 17

BAPTIST CHURCH BAZAAR.

A bazaar and fancy fair in aid of the building fund of the Wellington Baptist Church, was opened in the Academy of Music at noon on March 3. A few minutes after the t me fixed upon, the Hon. J. Hall, Premier, aod Mrs. Hall arrived, and were received by the Revs. J. W. Hinton and W. Kirk, and having been shown round the various stalls, the Premier, in a few appropriate remarks, declared the bazaar to be duly opened. The ai tendance of visitors was, as is usual on such occasions, not very large in the early part of the afternoon, but towards evening, and after the gas was lighted, there was a very marked change, the standing room being all taken up for a considerable time. There is a very good display of the class of articles which are usually to be seen on these occasions—the doll and toy department evidently predominating. There are, however, many very select and valuable exhibits which should command a good deal of money Stall No. 1, which is on the left, and close to the entrance, is superintended by Mrs. Hiut ODi( and contains a large variety of goods there being some very neat and showy children’s dres.-es and other articles, which appeared to prove very saleable. The second stall is in the care of Mrs. Fear and Mi s Birch. It contains about as large a selection of fancy goods and toys as could be found room for m the limited space, and if the l.dies * ho are looking after it do not add considerably to the proceeds of the enterprise, Lard alone will be responsible for the unsatisfactory result. Some very tastefully got up dolls’ bonnets and dresses appeared to receive special attention. Mrs. Kitchen has charge of the remaining stall on the left, and displays a selection which is as remarkable for its variety as it is for the abundance and usefulness of the articles. Worthy of special mention are what we might call two glass screens, tastefully covered with ferns. The first stallon the right is uuder the care of Mrs. Kirk and Mrs. Creighton, and if it is not the most showy, it certainly contains & large number of articles that are most likely to strike

the eve of those who desire to see or purchase someth Dg that is uncommon. On a stand in the centre of the division are arranged a number of plants in pots, including many showy ferns. There are also some cut flowers. Several collections of ferns, carefully preserved and labelled with their scientific names by Professor Kirk, F.S. A., are undoubtedly amongst the moat valuable of the exhibits. On a small, separate table are a number of photographs of places and objects which have played important parts in the ancient history of the world. Mrs. Crocombe and Miss Philpott have the supervision of. the next part •on the same side, and as their display is equal, and respects superior to the rest, they will no doubt be in a position to give a good account of their efforts. Next to it is a section which is presided over by Mrs. Godber and Mrs. Philpott. It is remarkable chiefly for the amount of fancy needlework which it contains, and the ladies who prepared th’e articles are to be congratulated on the skill and energy which they brought to bear. On the stage there is a tree the branches of which bear the usual variety of articles. Beside it is a “ peepshow,” so much being, of course, charged for a peep. The remainder of the stage is fairly taken up with refreshment tables, which several lady amateurs appeared to work with consummate skill. The bazaar attracted a large number in the evening, and a brisk trade was done, albeit there were no raffles,, a questionable description of bazaar business which the pastor, appears to have resolutely set his face against. The proceedings were in consequence far quieter than is usually the case at bazaars, but they were enlivened by a number of pianoforte selections, played at intervals during the evening. We have received a “ free passe, in fact, two, from Professor Anatares Higgins, who has opened what he designates his “ o paralleled show,” at the Academy of Music, comprising “the cumpletest collection of wurks of hart ever sene on this side of the Line, a grand axraie of whacks figgers and statoots.. lhe Professor’s show is, we should imagine, as unique as his orthography, of which he presents a startling variety in his programme. The exhibition is a “ side show” to the bazaar, and is not the least among the many attractions.