WAIAREKA CHURCH BAZAAR.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 813, 20 November 1878, Page 2

WAIAREKA CHURCH BAZAAR.

The Bazaar in aid of the building fund of the Waiareka Church was opened this afternoon in Messrs. Conneil and Clowes new store, Tyne-street, which had been tastefully decorated for the purpose with flags and wreaths of green boughs. The whole of the stalls were completely loaded with goods and fancy articles of almost every description, and presented a 2'ieture calculated to pleasa the eyes of even those who have no tasto for the beautiful. The first tiling to attract the attention of the visitor on entering the room is a table to the left of the door on which arc arranged in a very tasty manner some forty-live, vases, &c., of wax and paper flowers and fruit, under glass shades. Tlic.se are the handiwork of .Mrs. Menluve, of Windsor Park, and not only- do they reflect credit upon that lady's tasto and artistic judgment in their arrangement of the cluster, but fully establish the fact that she is the possessor of a vast amount of skill, perseverance, and patience. We do not remember any occasion on which we saw so large and varied a collection of articles of the kind on exhibition at one time, and we should be omitting a portion of our duty were we not to mention the great debt which the promoters of the bazaar owe to Mrs. Menlove for having at once provided so excellent an exhibition as is presented on this table. We understand that it is intended to dispose of the whole collection by art union, and this should he the means of adding a very handsome sum to the building fund of the Church. Passing along the room, we next come to a table on which is displayed a largo collection of handsome goods of various descriptions, including an elegant arm chair, cushions, articles of vcrtu, dolls of gigantic proportions, &c. These have been chiefly provided by Mr. John Reid, who has also received a large number of contributions from several friends. It is intended to dispose of the whole of these by art union. Adjoining this table are a number of pot plants and youngtrees, the gift of Mr. John Reid, Messrs. Stemson and Leigh, and Mr, J. Falconer. Turning up the room on the opposite side, wo paused to gaze upon a most excellent display of goods at a stall presided over by Mrs. John Eeid, assisted by the Misses Bathgate (2), Miss Thompson, .Miss Tcwsley, Miss M'Kenzie, and the Misses Reid (2). On this stall are exposed for sale articles useful and

ornamental of all kinds, including a large assortment of Chinese goods, direct from the Celestial Empire. Next we come to the stall over which Mrs. Menlove presides, assisted by Mrs. Murison, Misses 1 Cairns (2), Misses Harris (2),. Miss Macpherson, Miss Gleeson, and Misses Menlove (2). This is also heavily laden with almost every description of fancy and useful articles, vci-y tastefully displayed. The fortunes of the third and last goods stall are guided by Mrs Cameron, wife of the pastor of the C'liurch, who is aided by Mrs. E.' Lees, Miss Atkinson, Miss Liddle, and Miss Todd. As is the case witli each of the others, this stall is abundantly supplied with articles of all kinds, arranged in a manner calculated to captivate the beholder. The wants of the inner man are also well cared for, a refreshment stall, presided over by Mrs. Sinclair, assisted by Miss Russell and Miss Webb, occupying the end of the building oil the right side. Taken altogether, the display made at this bazaar is the best we have ever seen in Oamaru, while the wares offered for sale are in a measure more substantial. The bazaar was very well patronised this afternoon, and we can safely predict that it will prove attractive to the public, satisfactory to its promoters, and beneficial to the building fund of the Waiareka Church. The bazaar will be opened at two o'clock each day, and will be closed between iive and even each evening.