ASHBURTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 21, 14 September 1883, Page 11

ASHBURTON.

(From an occasional correspondent.) It is such a long time since I did myself the pleasure of sending any communication to your valued paper,, that I almost feel as though an apology was due; still when I excuse myself on the plea of nothing inteiesting to write about, I think your readers will pardon me. Since, however, we have had something stirring in the interest of the Church I thought it a duty to send you a few lines, For some months pasta few enthusiastic ladies of onr congregation, inspired by Father Coffey, have been energetically working up materials and gathering funds for the purpose of holding a bazaar in aid of the building fund of the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in this town, and though things seemed at first to drag a good deal, causing the date to be postponed, the affair has been carried out most successfully. Included in the original programme was an artunion of pictures, and this was drawn on the last day, as you are aware, — the winning numbers having been published in your last issue. The bazaar was formally opened by His Worship the Mayor, Donald Williamson, Esq., at two o'clock on Friday, 24th August, and business at once commenced. The principal stall-holders were Mesdames Brankin, Adams, and Miss Essie Butler, assisted by Miss E. Small, Misses Mary and Anastasia Butler, Mis* Cullen and sister, Miss M. M'Farlane, Miss E. M'Farlane, Miss A. Cullman, Miss Pye, Miss Cookson, and Miss Roberts. The most notable article upon en* tering the hall was a large doll, dressed as a bride, which was to be disposed of at a shilling a member by lottery, and was the means of making a good many "bobs" very nimble indeed. Visitors were much surprised at its elegance and value ot many of the goods, the majority of them being of a very useful character. On the second day, Saturday, the hall was literally crammed, and an addition to the attractions was given by the presence of our local Brass Band, which greatly added to the enjoyment of the evening. Monday, being the last day, it was arranged that the drawing for the prizes in the art union should take place at half-past eight, p.m., at which hour it was almost uncomfortable trying to walk about the building. The result of the drawing showed that the ■ pictures had been distributed all over the country from lnvercargill to Greymoutb, Father Coffey, as indeed all of us, has reason to be thankful for the generous support of Protestants of all denomiaations, for they assisted us handsomely, not only in money and goods, but at the stalls. Altogether, considering the bad time .of the year and commercial depression, we were most successful, everything literally being disposed of, not so much as sixpence worth being left for auction, several hard cases being thus considerably disappointed. The proceeds were about £150 from the Bait»ar, besides the re turns from the art union, thus causing the " croakers" — for we have a doleful prophet or two here— to hide their diminished heads. 1 In conclusion, I must not omit to mention the success of Mee* dimes Mahony and Pye with a fortune-telling machine ; I find no other name for it ; and the capital way the lefreshment stall was served by Mesdames Bishop aud M'Tigue. Local matters from country cousins cannot be of much interest to inhabitants of the capital city of New Zealand— (vide f . Bracken) ; still, the district so far la holding its own well, though there is a dearth of woik just now, and should our Tom Tiddler's ground turn up trumps, I'll see if I can't send you a bucket or two of diamonds for distribution among your subscribers— (they are bagging diamonds, I am told, in fourbushel sacks up this way). Should we by any. possibility be favoured with a visit from Mr. Redmond and his brother, I shall write again; until then, good-bye. English Catholic.