BLUFF NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 25312, 15 June 1935, Page 19

BLUFF NOTES

BAZAAR ENDS.

(From Our Correspondent.)

The bazaar in aid of the funds of the Church of England, which opened in the Town Hall on Monday afternoon, finished on Wednesday night in the presence of a very large crowd of patrons. Brisk business was again done at the stalls and this still further emphasized the success of the effort organized by the St. Matthew’s Ladies’ Guild, of which Mrs W. W. Ewart is president, Mrs F. J. Shearer vice-president, and Mrs E. Parsons secretary and treasurer. With the benefit of two previous appearances, those supplying, the entertainment in the play “The Gipsy Countess" gave a bright performance and the audience responded with frequent applause, many of the vocal numbers being enthusiastically encored. The ballets were a feature of the evening, while the orchestra again gave a finished performance in accompaniments and incidental music. At an interval in proceedings the Rev. W. W. Ewart thanked the public for the generous response made to the efforts of the guild. Special words of praise were due to Mrs Fowler for her work in attending to the dressing of the play, the speaker said, and to Miss Fowler, Mrs J. Bradshaw and Miss Elsie Preston for the way in which they had laboured in arranging and rehearsing the ballets and song scenas. Mr Ewart warmly commended Mrs E. Parsons (who in a secretarial capacity had rendered very valuable service), Mr Parsons for his untiring assistance in the production of the play, and Mr E. A. Nichol who acted as conductor. The guild members had worked exceedingly hard in preparing for the bazaar, Mr Ewart said in conclusion, and it was gratifying to know that success had followed their efforts. Those placed in charge of the various stalls were: Works, Mrs W. W. Ewart; cake and cafeteria, Mrs R. Fowler; produce, Miss G. Wood; jellies, Mrs T. duce, Miss G. Woods; jellies, Mrs T. Macdonald; sweets, Mrs C. Hannan; bran tub, Miss J. Urwin. Presentations. At the conclusion of the entertainment on Wednesday night the members of the company gathered on the stage for the purpose of expressing their appreciation of three ladies who had taken leading parts in the work connected with the production. On behalf of the company, Mr E. A. Nichol made the presentation of gifts to Mrs Fowler, Mrs J. Walker, jun., and Miss Cardia Fowler. In doing so Mr Nichol said that Mrs Fowler’s art in creating the beautiful dresses worn in the various numbers had been largely responsible for the success achieved, while Mrs Walker, who at a late hour had consented to act as pianiste for the orchestra, had rendered very valuable assistance. To Miss Fowler had fallen the Responsibility of arranging the ballets and teaching the dancers, and all present were aware of the work this had entailed and of the high standard reached in these numbers-. The recipients, who were received with musical honours, suitably acknowledged the gifts. Before dispersing the performers gave three cheers for Mr Gordon Giles in recognition of his clever inter-Kf-tation of the humorous role of “Clam” in the play.