THE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL BAZAAR.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5237, 15 December 1883, Page 2

THE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL BAZAAR.

Punctually at 12 o'clock to-day, the Christ Church Schoolroom was opened to the children and their friends of the Girls 9 High School, on the occasion of their first annual bazaar, in aid of the prize fund. There was a constant stream of visitors throughout the day, the building being thronged by a crowd of sightseers and purchasers, and though the - room was capitally arranged, there was none too much space for those who were present. . The proceedings were of a most animated description throughout, and the room presented a pleasing scene with its merry occupants all bent on pleasure, and determined to do their best to • further the good object for which the affair was inaugurated. For the last two months, since the idea was first started, the girls have worked most as* siduously to get articles for sale, and their re; ward is certainly gained in seeing a collection of exhibits, which it would be hard to excel. The table at the end of the room extending right across is covered with artiolea ! of every conceivable form of needle and fancy work, ' displayed with the most tempting neatness. The articles are too numerous to be particularised, but so far "as our humble knowledge . of such things goes, everything appears to be of the best, both in regard to material and the manner in which the articles are made up. It is impossible, almoat, to turn away without purchasing, for there is something to supply the wants of everybody, from tbe baby of a few years to the man in his prime, Stockings, slippers, smoking- caps, photoframes, antimacassas, cushions,, and, in fact, ■ everything, and more than we can remember are on hand, and - what is more to the point, they were being satisfactorily disposed of— satisfactorily -not only- to the promoters but the purchasers. It would be invidious on our part to particularise any ' of. the articles, as while one scholar has devoted perhaps her whole attention to some special article which may appear very handsome, another has contributed a number of things which, being-small, are not so much noticed. The greatest credit, however, is due to all the girls, as the work done shows what their capabilities are, and is a tangible proof of the efficiency of the tuition given by Miss Blyth and her staff of assistants. If on this ground alone,, the articles are well worth inspection, and they certainly induced a number of parents to congregate in the vicinity to see what could be done by their children. In addition- to the exhibition of fancy goods, etc., there was a brilliant display of .bouquets and buttonholes which took up part of one side of the room. Mr Alexander Laird had kindly given a prize for the best bouquet of flowers put together by children in the second, third, and fourth standards, the entriesf or which amounted to between 60 and 70.There were some very pretty contribution?, which showed considerable taste on the part of the young girls. The award had not been made at the time of our visit, and it would doubtless be a difficult matter to decide. The bouquets never subsequently to be sold for the moderate" sum of 6d, and we have no doubt there would be no difficulty in disposing of them. In addition to the bouquets there was a large assortment 1 of button-holes, which, made and given by the schoolgirls, were also satisfactorily disposed of. A number of pot plants were given by friends, which were sold to advantage. One principal feature of the exhibition was the table with articles presented for the exhibition only by a number of friends, including Mr 3A. A. Browne, Mr Davis, and others which were real curiosities, and drew considerable attention. They included a selection of eastern articles by the latter gentleman, which attracted considerable notice. A, beehive was presented by Mr . Sharp, made on an American principle for sale, which was decidedly the most valuable gift of the show, its worth being estimated at about 30s. Provision for the inner man was provided in the class room, which was turned into a Chelsea bun house, and here fair young pupils, distributed to their patrons unlimited supplies of cake tea buns, etc., this department being patronised to a considerable extent. Perhaps the chief feature of the show however, was the " mystery " which has been referred to in the local press and looked forward to by tho visitors. This took the form of a huge shoe, about five feet in length, inside which one of the little girls, dressed up as Old Mdther Hubbard, sold her children (little dolls dressed up) for the sum of 6d. or -Is, accord J ing to their size. This caused much amusement, and the little ladies who alter*

nately officiated as the ancient matrons — Miss Efchell 801 l and Miss A. Drewsucceed in disposing of their good very rapidly. In addition to the many other amusements provided may be mentioned the concert or entertainment, which was given at intervals during the day. A capital programme was provided, which was in course of progress at the time of our going to press, and included the following items : — Duet '■ Singing Birds "S. Hogg and B. Gray ; Recitation "The Mother's Jewels," M. Rosa; Song "Good Old Jeff," L. Kitchen; Round "When the Rosy Morn," Class II ; Pianoforte solo "Christmas Bells," S. Ho^g; Recitation " The Milk-maid, " M. Harper ; Song "The Image, &c," F. Broad; Round "The Cuckoo," six girls; Recitation "The Chicken," M. Laird; Pianoforte Solo " Silvery Echoes " M. Pawson ; duett, "Faust, "C. King and A. Horn ; Recicitation, "Wreck of the Hesperus," N. Spurdlej round, "Where are you going," class VI ; recitation, "A noble boy," A. Hill; pianoforte solo, Irish airs, C. Baker ; glee, "The sailor boy," class III; recitation, "The child's fiyst grief, "N. Drew; round, "How Sweet the pleasure, "B. Moore, A. Gray, and E. Bell ; recitation, "The crossing sweepers," C. Daniels ; Djett, M. andF. Willis; song, " bright golden shore," A. Laird ; round, "Turn again Whittinefton," class VI: Taken as a whole theiaffair is fully up to our expectations, and it is to be hoped the girls may reap an ample reward for their praiseworthy industry. Every credit is due to Miss Blyth and her assistants, and Mr Drew (chairman of the School Committee) who nave gone gone to considerable trouble to make the affairs a success and with good results,