BAZAAR AT HOKITIKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIV, Issue 43, 18 February 1887, Page 11

BAZAAR AT HOKITIKA.

The final returns of the bazaar which was held during the Christmas week being now in, it is pleasant to chronicle that the undertaking proved more successful than the most sanguine could have anticipated. The net receipts have reached £546, and while this result reflects most creditably on the promoters and management, it affords another example of the proverbial generosity of the people of the West Coast. Although it was known that the Sisters of St. Columbkille's Convent were busied in preparation, and that the lady stall-holders were unremitting in their exertions for a considerable time previously, the visitors on the night of opening (Christmas eve) were unprepared to witness the magnificence of the exhibition. The hall was really dazzling, and the stalls, which teemed with wares of all descriptions, rivalled each other in brilliancy. The formal opening took place at 7.30. p.m. by his Worship the Mayur (H. Michel, Esq.), Messrs. Bonor, M.L.C., Bevan, M.H.R., McGoldnck, County Chairman, Rev. Father Regnault, S.M., and the members of the Bazaar Committee. The speeches, which were very appropriate, were necessarily short, for it could be observed that the ladies were bent on business. And the business did commence in real earnest — raffle-sheet, lucky-bags, wheels-of-fortune, and all manner of devices were brought into requisition in no time. The stalls with their mottoes were as follows :—: — No. 1. "Advance Westland," presided over by Mesdames J. Clarke and Kortegast, assisted by Misses O'Brien, Sharkey, Cassidy, and Gallop. No. 2. " Cead Mille Failthe," by Mesdames Gribben, Horgan, and Moller, assisted by the Misses Gribben, Miss Cleary, and Miss Moller. i->s«No. 3. "_Nil Desperandum," by Mesdames Rosetti and Lynch, and Miss Behan. No. 4. " Hope on, Hope ever," by the Misses Mandl, and the Misses Ward. The Flower Stall by Mrs F. E. Clarke, and the Misses Byrne. The Refreshment Stall by^Mesdames Duggan and Green ; and the Gipsy tent, which proved a special feature, was attended to by Mrs. F. E. Clarke. Besides the abeve-mentioned ladies there was a host of satellites armed with raffle-sheets, etc. At intervals, musical selections, both vocal and instrumental, were rendered with the known ability of the following ladies and gentlemen :— The Misses Gribben, violin and piano ; Miss Byrne, piano ; Dr. Collins and Mrs. Collins, violin and piano; Misses Behan and Fitzsimmons, vocal duet; Mrs. F. E. Clarke, vocalist ; and Mr. Coltman, vocalist.

Besides the Rev. Fathers Regnault, S.M., McManus, and Ahearne, who favoured the bazaar with their presence, was the Rev. Dr. Watters, S.M., of St. Patrick's College, who doubtless will bear a vivid remembrance of his first visit to Hokitika.