The Duntroon Bazaar.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXII, Issue 6849, 26 March 1897, Page 2

The Duntroon Bazaar.

Tho bazaar held at Duntroon in aid of a fund for building a Presbyterian Church in the district, to supply the spiritual needs of a rapidly increasing population in the district was opened yesterday. The members of tho already-established Church havo been making vigorous preparations for tho function for some time, and it would appear as if their efforts to start a substantial fund wero to bo crowned with a considerable measure of success. The Public Hall at Duntroon was taken for the purposes of the bazaar and willing hands rapidly transformed the building into a most attractive emporium of useful and ornamental goods, which were on sale at reasonable prices. The stalls were arranged round the Hall, and so numerous wero tho goods exposed for sile that they overflowed on to the walls, which were heavily hung with a largo quantity of attrastive articles. Prominent among them was an initial quilt, made at the instigation of Mrs Hay, on similar lines to that which was so attractive a feature at the late Atlien&um bazaar in Oam-iru. The articles comprised tho usual miscellaneous assortment of bazaar goods, most of them being most substantial and handsome.

The bazaar was formally opened about 2 o'clock in the afternoon by Mr R. (). Campbell, of Otekaike. Mr Hay briefly introduced Mr Campbell, adding a few words on tho 83ope and origin of tho lwziar and tho opportunity it afforded for Christian work and usefulness. He spoke of the kindness of the ladies and others in working so hard for success, and was glad of the help extended by outsiders, both of their own Church and of other denominations. Mr Campbell had been kind enough to attend to open the bazaar. Mr Campbell then, in a few appropriate remarks, formally opened the bazaar. He expressed a hope that the efforts of the ladies would be rewarded by their being enabled to open the new church free of debt, and he urged united work to effect that desirable object. He hoped that a fow months time would see a substantial church adorning the township of Duntroon.

After the formal opening, the attendance) was good, and a fair business was done in sales. The special train from Oamaru brought up a good contingent of visitors, although it failed to clear expenses by some L 9. In the evening the hall was too crowded to comfortably contain the throng of visitors, and business was as brisk as could be desired. The promoters were most energetic in pushing sales. The stalls were presided over as follows : Drapery, Mrs Hay and Mrs Fiddes ; fancy goods, Mrs Lawrence and Mrs Morris ; stall, Mrs M'Nair and Mrs R. Sutherland ; produce stall, Mrs Corigal. The shooting gallery was in charge of Mr Mines and Miss Pringlo, Mrs Cassidy, and Miss M'Bean assisted in various capacities. The sheepskin mats were willingly shown by Mr Stevenson. A number of little girls also did a brisk trade in buttonholes and other etceteras,

There was a magnificent cold luncheon provided at the refreshment stall, where Mesdames Johnston and J. R. Pringle did duty, and even the luxury of an afternoon tea was provided, this portion of the work being undertaken by Mrs Stevenson. The side-shows did a roaring trade. Messrs M'lvor and Newsom exhibited a novelty nowadays, in the shape of a spinning wheel, carding and spinning their wool for yarns in the old-fashioned style. Messrs W. Sutherland and R. M'Donald were kept busy with the sheep-guessing competition. They had, as a variety, selected the largest and the smallest specimens of the Waitaki flocks. Two separate prizes were offered and to-mor-row morning the animals are to be weighed and the result mado known. Mrs A. Grant ably filled the office of manageress, and the success of the bazaar is largely due to her great amount of activity, tact, and forethought. Mr Hay, the pastor, and Mrs and Miss Hay were as busy as bees attending to the wants of all, and the lay assistant, Mr Parlane, kept the moneybag—no light office when so much was being taken. Music was supplied in abundance. First there was the Oamaru Garrison Band—quite enough one would think—but Mr Thomas and bis talented daughter, with an able choir, were also in evidence, and added in no small measure to the enjoyment, and made the musical programme complete. The thanks of the Bazaar Committee are due to Mr Robert Blair for his generous aid in several capacities. The baziar will be open again this evening, when the balance of the goods will be sacrificed in the usual way of bazaars.