FANCY BAZAAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1932, 30 November 1888, Page 22

FANCY BAZAAR.

The opening in tbe Garrison Hall on Wednesday night of the grand fancy bazaer in aid of the Convent School building fund was as successful an affair as . the promoters could have desired. Vtry goon after the opening of the doors at half-past 1 the galleries were crowded with visitors, the floor space being for tho timo kept clear for the procession that had beeu arranged in connection with the opening ceremony. At the first glauce it could be seen that the hall wore a really brilliant and tasteful Appearance, and that extraordinary pains and expenditure of time and money had been devoted to the costumes, the furnishing of tho stalls, and the decorations of the building. Overhead there was a bright arrangement of flags and festoons, and the stall fronts around the hail looked exceedingly pretty with their delicate draperies, and the cunningly arranged lights that shone hero and there iv the recesses. .At tbe farther end of the hall beneath a hugh Japanese umbrella was situtated the flower stall, sur rounded by an extensive array of flowering pot plants, shrubs, &c, that added greatly to the appearance of tho floor space. This stall was in fact an improvised conservatory, and was fitted iv the confcre with a fountain which was kept playing all the evening. The platform beyond was prettily draped with curtains and arranged for the musical performances and tableaux vivants thit are to be given during the week. As soon as the public had been admitted last nigh'; ami got quietly settled in the galleries tho grand march, which was the first item in the opening ceremony, took place. The pageant was certainly one of the most brilliant that hoa bo.en seen oa any such occasion in tho Gai* riatm Hall. About 50 or 60 couples formed tho procession, and were headed by Mr H. Bubiusoi , who act id as tnarshnl. All wore fancy coftumos which were not only handsome, but. in many cases very original and ingenious. It would be impossible to enumerate even the most tasteful among po largo a number, bufc tie Japanese drestes of the young ladies who impersonated Mr Gilbert's " Three little xnaic s from school" were as much admired as any. After the procession came the " Nursery Rhyme Quadrilles," a couple of &ets of dances being formed, and tho remainder of the ladies and gentlemen in fancy dress mustering on tbe stage to sing " Little Jack Homer," " See-saw, Margory Daw," " Old King Cole," &c. under the baton of Mr E. Towsey. This part of the programme, which went as well as any, being concluded, the mayor (Mr W. Dawson) ascended the platform ,to formally open the bazaar. With him on the stage were Bishop Moran, Fathers Lynch, O'Neill, Vereker, and Burko, Crs Carroll, Hardy, and Kimbell, Messrs J. B. Callan, and various other prominent membera of the Catholic congregation.

His Worship said it fcave him eepecial pleasure to he present, in consideration of the object of the bazaar — viz., providing additional school accommodation for the insl ruction of tho rising generation. New Zealand was destined, he believed, to be a great country, having everything in the way of natural products and climate to fit it for rearing a physically hnnly race. Bufc while. looking at that w« must not forget to pay attention to the mental and intellectual needs of tbe rising generation, whom it, behoved us to see well educated aud equipped for the battle of life. — (Applause.) When he looked round ab that grand bazaar he felt convinced that the people of Otago bad determined this should bo done. Some people questioned that particular mode of raising money for such purposePj but he thought it a vt-ry good way. Many who could not afford to give money directly could give their time and labour, and tbe employmecfc would be useful to young people when they came to have homes of their own. It was also a good way of getting money out of young gentlemen's pockets, which was sometimes pretty hard to do. Those ladies and gentlemen who bed got up the bazaar deserved, be thought, tbe highest praise, and he hoped they would be as fuccef*ful in selling -the articles as they had been in making them. From the galaxy <l beauty he saw in attendance afc tbe stalls to feared heavy inroads would be made on tbe pockets of Rome gentlemen, if not on their hearf 8, and af. thrri; was evident eagerness to commence tl\i.- fray, he would Dot detain them longer, but would cuticlu'le liy declaring the bazaar open for busines*. — {Applause.) Bishop Mohan then said a few words, thanking the ladies and gentlemen who had assisted in getting up the bazaar, and at the opening ceremony ; and also those who had patronised it by

attendiug that evening, and predicting great success for the undertaking. The public were then admitted to the floor of the hall, and business was commenced aud carried on briskly. To briefly notice the stalls, there is first the flower stall, already mentioned, presided over by Mrs R. A. Dunne, assisted by Misses Columb, Woods, Lees, Poppolwell, M. Columb, L. Marsh, L. Columb, and B. Pet tit, and Messrs R. A. Dunne, J. P. Hayes, P. Loahy, D. Aitken, C. Mouat, E. W. Dunne, C. Colurab, L. Pavleticb, and R. Fergusson. The ladies are all dressed as Neapolitan flower girls. The flower stall is a diamond shaped one at the top of the hall, and contains an exquisite assortment of pot plants and cut flowers. Noticeable were two immense rhododendron?, one a Smith's Elegans,and the other a Lady Cathcart ; both are thickly covered with bloom. Among a large number of generous donors to this stall may bo mentioned ; Mesdames Reynolds, Rattray, Mills, Misses Clemison, Bishop Moran, Father Lynch, and Messrs Lees, Columb, Marsh, J. Wilkinson, W, Reid, Petorkin, Fogarty, and Hungerford. The fish pond is in charge of the Neapolitan flower girle. Near this, on the right hand side of the hall is the Japanese stall, which is remarkably pretty, and at which the stallholders are Misses Martin, Carroll, Reany, and Julia Reany; assistants — Misses Cohen, Skey, Colehan, and Ooneys, Messrs Fairbairn, Neave, M'Laehlan, Newberry, and Carroll. The most noticeable work, is a chair worked by Miss Julia Reany, a very handsome tablecover by Miss Martin, a band-painted cushion by Miss Carroll, a very handsome fender stool by Miss Reany, all sorts at Japanese goods and curios, wall panels, &c, and a number of other costly articles too numerous to mention.

The other stalls which are furnished with equal taste and liberality, but the contents of which must bo noticed later, are the refresh' ment stall, presided over by Miss Mackay and numerous assistants, the produce stall (Mesdames Lea on and Wilson), the fancj stall (Mrs F. Fraser), and the artistic stall (Mrs Petre). Besides procession and quadrilles lsyst night, a further treat was provided for the visitors by tho performance of "Les Cloches de Corneville," in which the solo parts were taken by Misses Wooldridge aud Corrigan, Messrs Blenkinsopp and Jones. All sang well, and were cordially applauded, bub Miss Wooldridge in particular was in first-class voice, and delighted her audience. Mr E. Towiey was musical director for the evening, and the band was conducted by Mr A. F. Robertshaw. Fresh musical attractions are to be provided for this afternoon and evening, when there will no doubt bo an equally good attendance. The takings last night reached the very satisfactory total of £128 7s.