CORONATION FESTIVAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12587, 18 October 1911, Page 2

CORONATION FESTIVAL.

OPENED BY BISHOP CLEARY.

The Coronation Festival and Bazaar was opened at the Harrison Hall last night under circumstances that promise l well for the success of the great under ! taking which is to he one of the chief attractions of the present and the coming week. A band of willing workers had long been engaged m preparations for the big event, and although much difficulty was entailed m having arrangements completed for the opening night, everything was m fine trim tor the occasion. The City Band practically commenced the proceedings by marching from the post oifice to the hall, playing an enjoyable programme of music, and giving some selections outside of the building, (hi entering the hall one was struck, with admiration at the excellent manner m which everything had been arranged, and the line* display of articles made at the different stalls. The idea of -national stalls was worked out m a manner that reflects much credit on those who. designed the plan of the stalls arid those who carried the -design into effect.. The work of the secretaries^ Messrs ; .J. •'.Doyle and I. X' McCoriville, deserves the holiest qommendatibnV. .''* Th^.hall was crowded' at ' 'an .j 'early stage; and ..much' interest centred m the opening 1 ceremony, .conducted;' by ' his Lordship Bishop Ql6ary,.>hp,:.rnade : an important speech .pn the -subject ■■-. of education.' as viewed- from the Catholic standpoint. The Rev.. Father Lane made a fetr, introductory remarks, stating .that it was twelve months since they, .had decided to organise the bazaar m dill *tf St. Mary's parochial room. They had re.-olved en that occasion to make' tho ■ function a record .success for. .Poverty Bay, arid the prospect's, they had m that direction could be "judged'by Hhe large attendance; and fine display they - had that everting. He .had to .thank Bishop deary for coniing- here; at much incom venience to perform the opening ceremony that night. '" fie (the Bishop) had been associated' with similar functions for njany.. years, and he hoped would tiS able to' see that night that the affair arranged by .the worthy people of Gisborne could bear comparison with bazaars he /had wiljne'Seed in.bthef and even* in 1 "-' 7 larger centres;' "I haveV Isaid the rev. father, m conclusion, "very great ■pJ,ens ! ttEe"; in "calHftgTtyi his Lordship -'to- perform 'the- ope'itirig ceremony, and I thank him on behalf of. the Catholics of Gisbornej'and on behlaf of .the Catholic community, for his presence here this, evening, and' I hopefthat \fcfiejy he. L next: cdmes :ito . visitT us we= shall UVe "able .to ge,t him. to perform, a similar, ceremony. t6 that which he 1 hafe consented^ to do to-night." (Applause.). > The Bishop, having spoken as reported elsewhere, . concluded,: ".I am. delighted to see such,' a spleridid gathering there this evening;'" " He . then formally declared thevba^aar open, and 'wished it every' success, his remarks being greeted with warm 'applause. ,; i. : .;, '7' '"1 Fathers Dignan and Finn' were among* those present. -■ .Or? W,-Webb and MiArmstrong conducted. the art union balloting. After the • opening proceedings the large number present availed themselves of the opportunity to inspect the stalls ; whiclj viewed as a whole, presented a beautiful appearance—rand taken • individually had each much merit. There was a plentiful stock of articles to suit all tastes, and some fine displays of workmanship were shown. 'The "young ladies attached to the staff of the various stalls, tqok care that' ;evetyonß ? who so desired had an opportunity to] participate m the bargains offered",, or ; to try itheir luck ; m the.ar.t tlinJonsy, But quite 4part" from the busmeJsrf aspect' of the proceedings there was a capital programme, under the management of Professor Owen Cardstbn. 1 ' ~Tlie popularity of this feature was .shown by, tjie. way, -m -which' tTie ; -spdctiiWfi's' Crowded' arourtHthe platform,, whdreaa it would hapfrf been better ioV everyone if the.peopla 1 had thoughtfully^ sto'6tl v bacl^ giVirig fall a good chance to see the per/formances. ■ It av^s, however, much enjoyed, and should prove a great attraction" each eveningl The opening dance was . e-ntitvjpd "Japanese BilHkins,"- m which a large number of girls' took part, and acquitted themselves -very creditably. This was followed by ."Parisians at Play, I ', m which; the 'dancers were; iiv fine .form,, and did splendidly. ; "Fire-< fliqs" came next, a specially pretty effect being ,giveh by the lanterns. Miss .Mary .Dempsey .was^,th« ' soloist, „t he •others joining m we'll m the chorus,and m the. lv dancing. Of other most enjoyable, dances one of the best-, was "Lancashire' Mill Girls at Play,'..', which, includes thi*ee .fine tableaux,: begging> cricket, i and >a qunrrel. SThere* was also an exhibition of' skating. .; The siiecial department, under : the. ittansgement, of Mr Cardston^may be-, specially recommended asa great attrabtioh to visitors to the bazaar. The orchestra comprisesMessrs Vita . v8i05..., Strong, Andrew, Forcett, and Munn. *