CATHOLIC BAZAAR.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7654, 12 June 1896, Page 3

CATHOLIC BAZAAR.

The bazaar organised by the ladies of the Koman Catholio Church congregation for the purpose of liquidating the debt on the convent, now being held in the City Rink, was opened to the public this afternoon at 2.30 by his Worship the Mayor and the Very Rev. Father Lanihan, Administrator. The Mayor said that ho was pleased to be present at the opening of this display of excellent articles, and had no doubt that a most expeditious sale would take place. The bazaar was being held for a good purpose, the removal of encumbrance on the convent and he hoped it. would be crowned with success.

The Rev. Father Lanihan, on behalf of the bazaar committee, thanked Mr Townley for hia assistance. He remarked that the St. Patrick's Day sports effort in Gisborns had been the envy of the whole diocese, and had been emulated in Auckland this year with a handsome result. No doubt Auckland would also emulate Gisborno in the matter of the bazaar. He refersed to the immense amount of labor the ladiea had bestowed upon the bazaar, and said that no doubt they would have the success they deserved. Wishing them all success, he declared the baatvar open. The ladies are to be congratulated upon the beautiful array of goods they have produced for the bazaar. There is a great variety of fine art work and plain and fancy needlework, arranged tastefully in one long stall, which runs the full length of the Rink. This stall is presided over by Miss Doran and Mesdamea Maynard and J. Martin, who have supplied most of the articles therein contained. Certainly the most attractive of the goods on view is a beautiful plush quilt with satin frills, worked and presented by Miss Nora Buchanan. Another, hardly less striking feature of the bazaar, is a nomination quilt of beautiful design made by Mrs John O'Meara and Mrs Orr, containing a number of names of prominent townspeople worked in neat and pretty stitches. The working in of the names must have entailed a vast amount of labor. Another quilt of tasteful design is one worked in cloth and presented by Mrs Martin. The stalls also contain works of art executed by the Sisters of Mercy, including hand-painted tables, needlework, etc. ; some beautiful paintingß by Mrs McLean, of Te Arai ; a handsome chair presented by Mr Townley ; a number of pretty little things provided by nieces of Mrs Martin ; and an innumerable stock of children's dresses, etc., fancy work, cushions, cosies, mantle drapes, brackets, afternoon tea cloths, etc. No doubt the opportunity of securing articles from such a Sue collection as this will be taken advantage of by the people of Gisborne, and the ladies in charge of the stalls anticipate a brisk "clearing-out sale." Assisting Miss Doran and Mesdames Marlin and Maynard are the Misses Steele, Buchanan, Mainwaring, Cox, O'Connor, and McGuirk. Passing round the Rink the visitors are attracted by a large refreshment table supplied by Mrs Fred Martin, and groaning with good things, including several brides' cakes. Doubtless this department of the bazaar will also be well patronised. The fish ponds are next come to, which with their hidden treasures are sure to delight the young folk. The Christmas tree will, of course, be one of the premier features of the bazaar. A fine large tree has been most tastefully decorated with a great variety of gifts by Miss McCabe, who is in charge of this department, and who also hopes to do a roaringtrade. In this younglady'sdepartment are a bride and bridegroom, a very pretty and happy pair. Meßsra Robertson and Adair have provided the material in which they are so handsomely arrayed, and Miss O'Connor has dressed the bride and Mr Zachariah the bridegroom. A gipsy tent, in which secrets will b 6 told by a monßter of the deep, stands near by, and lovers of the mysterious will doubtless take a peep into its shady recess. We have mentioned the principal attractions of the bazaar. The effect of the fine array of goods will be enhanced to-cight when the limelight is turned on, A promenade ooncert will be held this evening, when a large crowd of visitors is expected.