CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH BAZAAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 747, 24 March 1866, Page 13

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH BAZAAR.

The Bazaar in aid of the building fund of the Congregational Church was opened on Wednesday, in St. George's Hall, at one o'clock. The room has been tastefully fitted up for the occasion, and is decorated with a profusion of evergreens and banners,' which produce a Very pleasing effect. For some time backs this baziar' has been in course of preparation, and gifts have been received in aid'of-it from friends in England and Victoria 1 . These added to the contributions of the ladies of the Church and congregation, have proved more than sufficient to stock -the four large stalls, which have been erected in the room. The first of these on the left hand side is presided over by Mesdames Little, De Carle and Bell, assisted by the Misses Bell, Miss Rosenberg, -Miss Lubeeki, and other young ■ ladies; Several' very handsome cushions, ottomans, toilette ' cushions in bead work, ornamental baskets and elegant fly-cages, besides a quantity of toys, both- valuable and cheap, are to be obtained here. Mrs Bathgate and' Mrs • Reid: have charge of the next stall, ! and they are assisted by the Misses -Bithgate,' Miss Ulph, and 'other*. Jt is impossible to' enumerate the articles -in bead-work, worsted-work, ■ leather- work, and fancywork to be purchased at this stall; but in addition to' these 1 works' of art are sonle splendid flowers, in pots, 1 'for sale, raised by Mr John Brown, gardener to Mr Keid. There are petunias, geraniums, hollyhocks,- baflsams, calceolarias; and other plants 1 , all in flower 1 ; besides a number of splendid dahlias df l Various colors, and some of them quite hew in the Colony. A visit to- thie. stall *"will ;atoply repay the connoisseur uvflowers. t - ' • ' A refreshment stall occupies the space at the end,at ( wbich Mrs Miller dispenses the' good- things' with which it 'is stocked. • ' ' Close to 'the' refreshment-, stall km tbe opposite side of the room to Mrs' Bathgate's^'sfcaH',- -id 1 dnev 'that' "would have bfeen attended to by Mrs Conhebee, had not her failing health obliged her to % leave the Colony. In her absence Mesdames Forsaith, A. Barr, Edmiston, and Dixon, assisted by Miss Edmiston, Miss Bell and other young ladies, have taken

charge of it. The stock in trade consists of leather work, vases, albums, and other articles of use and ornament — many of them, gifts from the Home Country. The fourth stall is that provided by Mrs Main and Mrs Hart, who have found assistants in Miss Kerr and Miss l£eam. Some of the most- striking goods on this table are ' ottomans, cozies, and ' a newly invented fender footstool. Here alao, are to be seen the Christmas tree and a flowerstand. ' ' [ A very brisk trade was done last evening 1 , the room being crowded. In fact, although the arrangement of the stalls has a very good effect, it bas encro3che'drather too much on the floor area, and rendered the space for visitors ' somewhat too contracted. Mr White, accotding to promise, kindly played at intervals last evening, and the Glee and Madrigal Society have promised their assistance in the evenings during the continuance of the Bazaar. t We have not learnt the amount taken last night, but as sales went on briskly, and - wheels- of fortune, lucky-bags r and raffles were kept in active operation, it must have have been considerable.