ST. JOSEPH’S ORPHANAGE BAZAAR.

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 9285, 4 May 1891, Page 2

ST. JOSEPH’S ORPHANAGE BAZAAR.

The Bazaar in aid of St, Joseph’s Orphanage was opened at the Drillshed on Saturday evening, by his Worship the Mayor, aud may bo said to have been so far a success in every way. The fact that the bazaar was to have come off last year, but had to be postponed in consequence of the chaotic state of business brou.ht about by the labour strike?, was expected to militate against its success, but judging from the results, in point of attendance and finance of the first night, these is every probability pf the most sanguine expectations of the Committee being realised, and a substantial amount of money secured for the benefit of the Orphanage. The gentlemen’s Committee have evidently worked well and thoroughly in conjunction with the ladies, who have interested themselves in the good work, and the Sisters of Mercy, who on their part have, os is thsir wont, thrown their hearts and souls into the work, The Committee referred to are Messrs McAlister (secretary), Redmond, Davis, XCohn, Maginnity, Barnes, Byrne, Duignan, N, Reid, Carrigau, Healy, Coogan, Hyland, Dr G«ace, aud Cumin, and O’Meara (treasurer). Those, one and all, have done their work well, but without the ladies, who did their full share, their efforts would have been futile, so we can say that the success of the bazaar redounds to every ladivida.il pareia connected withic. All Friday and Saturday were occupied with getting the Drillshed decorated ami the stalls properly fitted up, and it was all the Committee could do to get everything ready in time for the opening. The ball, though not profusely deooroted, ia made very attractive with parti-colourod streamers covering the ceiling, and groups of ferns and os’ergroeus round about the stalls, the walls being covered with crimson bangings.

The opening ceremony took place a few minutes after 7, when the hall was crowded. The Hon Dr Grace, M.L.0., presided, having Hia Worship tha Mayor on bis right and members of Committee grouped arouud him. The Catholic clergy were also well represented, the Very Rev Dr Watters and Rev Father Devoy being amongst them. Dr Grace, who was received with applause, said he bod to apologise for the absence of His Grace the Archbishop, who had found it impossible to be present owing to a long standing arrangement for a diocesan visit in the North, He much regretted the absence of His Grace, than whom no one had taken greater interest in the good object they were there in support of that night. The Hon J. Ballunce had also asked him to apologise for his inability to attend, and state how he regretted that badness of importance kept him away. The subject ho was about to speak upon needed no apology, as it appealed to the sympathies of one and all. The St. Joseph’s Orphanage owed its existence to the persistency of Sir George Grey, who had introduced a system whereby institutions wero established for the maintenance of orphans of all creeds. St Joseph’s Orphanage was intended for some 60 girls, who entered the institution tiny, little, unprotected beings, and were matured and caied for by the good Nuns until, coming to raaturer years, they were taught all the duties of a useful life—learning sewing and other accomplishments, and eventually becoming fitted for situations. Under the system of the good Nuns the children not only became clever educated women, but grew up healthy and strong, so that they became eventually fitted for the duties of maternity in after life. Too much could not be said of the self denying work of the Sisters who watched over the wellbeing of their helpless charges with the solicitation of mothers, and never considered personal trouble in connection with their self-imposed duties towards the orphans. The object of the bazaar was one appealing to all, aud he felt sure the efforts of the nuns would be substantially supported by the public. Bis Worship the Mayor, who was also received with applause, then declared the Bazaar open, addressing a short speech to those present, and expressing a strong interest in the laudable object it had in view. As a rule, be bad but little sym* patby with bazaars, but the present one was an exception, being ia aid of an institution, the welfare of which should be the care of every citizen of Wellington, Ho bad great pleasure in declaring the bazaar open, and wished it every success. The stalls, exclusive of the telegraph office, are ten in number. At the top of the hall ia the flower-stall, fitted up as an arbour, hailt of ferns and moss, aud decorated with Chinese lanterns. This is presided over by Mrs George Fisher and Mies McClean, who did good business with their floral bouquets. On the left of the arbour is the fortune*tellmg gipsy’s tent, wherein Miss Fisher was kept busily engaged all the evening prognosticating the futures of both young and old of both sexes. At the top end of the left side of the ball is one of the principal stalls of the bazxar- that of “ koj enfants de Mario.” This stall did the best business on the opening night, aud netted over £2l, the goods being of exceptionally excellent quality, aud finding ready purchasers. The ladies presiding at this stall are Mesdames A. McDonald, Lawlor, E. McDonald and Brown, Misses McCarthy and Sheridan. The next stall coming down the hall is that of the “Orphans,” resplendent, like the other?, with a variety of fancy work of the best quality, besides nick* nacka of every description. Misj Cimino, Mesdames O'Meara and Maginnity and Miss M. Cimino were kept very busily engaged throughout the evening at Ibis stall, and, like their opposition vendors, did a brisk business.

At the top of the ball, to the right of the flower stall, is the most ■ attractive feature of the bazaar in the shape of a most artistic and beautiful grotto, where the

“‘Mermaids’ out upon strike” opened the proceedings with the singing of a ballad, which, though rather long, waa very prettily and expressively rendered by them. The ballad was descriptive of how they (the mermaids) had ventured to the Drillshed, being out oa strike, and requested the donation of a shilling to help them in their troubles, brought on by the results of tho labour strikes last October. Their demands for a “douceur” were supported on their part by a promise of a gift for each donation, and it is needless to say that their demands were extensively responded to. Thegrotti is really a work of art, being built of ferns and rock, the bottom being made plate glass, so as to represent water, in which are groups of coral beds, with eeivveeda and ferns growing. The mermaids themselves wers arrayed in green, with circlets of pearls round their heads—and very pretty they looked whilst singing their pathetic ballad. At the right (top) side uf the hall is s stall superintended by Mrs Grace, Mrs Loughnon, and Mias Maud Grace, where some of the most valuable articles on sale were offered and readily disposed of, some £2O being taken. Tho next stall is one under the care of Mesdamos Sharpe, O’Connor, and who ably hold their own with the other verniers—ia fact, it is hard to say who was most pitrooieed ia point of numbers, though owing to the greater value of their goods Mesdame? Grace and McDonald bead ths list, so far, io financial results.

The attendance was a large one, con. sidering Saturday night is generally occupied in shopping, and the public are to ba cam. mended for the manucr in which they patronised the opening night of the bazaar, which will no doubt be extensively attended eacii evening this week while it remains open. During the evening the St. Patrick's College Brass Band, under Mr Cimino, perfcrmo l an attractive} programme of cloven selections of music, and added greatly to the brilliancy of the proceedings. We must not forget the produce stall under the clnrge of gentlemen of the committee, whore Mr Hyland did a good business with hid fine stock of agricultural and other produce. The refreshment stall, under Mrs Casey, with several assistants, did a large trade, the edibles and drinkables being of the very beet quality, and sold at reasonable pries?. There is one feature about the bazaar moit noticeable, viz., the excellent quality of all the go )ds and their comparatively low prices—everything being kept within shop values.

Today, the bsziar will bo opened from 3 to 5 in tho afternoon ; and from 7 to 10 in the evening, when, no doubt, the attend, ance of the public will ba in keeping with tbo praiseworthy object of tho bazaar an object appealing to the sympathies of all creeds and classes.

In the highest military circles in Berlin it is affirmed that the Czic has discovo-.ed fresh faults of organisation in the Russian Army, and the belief is entertained there that the discovery will etill further prolong the period during which. Russia may be expected to abstain from any steps ealeu* lated to provoke an European conflict.