CATHOLIC BAZAAR AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 6, 7 November 1890, Page 11

CATHOLIC BAZAAR AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

♦ (From tke Manawatu Standard, October 24.)

The bazaar and fancy fair in aid of the building fund of the new Roman Catholic Church, for which preparations have been in progress for some considerable time past, was formally opened in the Rink Hall, yesterday afternoon. Last night the attendance of the genera, public was exceedingly large, and at all the stalls a satisfactory amount of business was transacted. The display of goods, ornamental and useful, wa9 both varied and attractive, and the persistent persuasiveness of the fair vendors proved very effective and must difficult to retist. All who took part worked most assiduously to achieve success, and Father Patteis n was indefa'igible in his efforts to organise, plan, and accomplißn the consummation Which has been so happily attained. The popularity and esteem in which the Key Father is held was clearly manifested last night in the large attendance of Proustants representing various denominations wno were present, and appeared anxious to do their utnv it to contribute to the success of the baziar and assist the object in view by every menus in 'heir power. All interested may be congratulated on the n suits achieved, and the promoters and active workers cLs-rve every credit for tbe energy, zeal, and perseverance which they hart; mfused into the undertaking. Lait evening the bazaar presented a very gay and animated scene, the stall-hoiders and their wßsistsntß putting foith every effort to dispose of \heir wares, while the ling of merry laughter, the buzz of conversation, with occasion-il vocal and instrumental seltctious, nil contubuted to make up a bright picture aod lively en ertainment. Several of the assistants at the stalls wore fancy dresses, the gay olours of which gave additional charm to the surrounuings, Tbe articles offered for sale weie ab ye the average quality for bazaar goods, while the very moderate prices asked ensured a ready sale. But, as we said above, the persistent si ge laid by the ladies against all and Bundry to induce them to invest their Bpare cash aim Bt invariably pioved successful, and was the means of causing much amusement even among the vanquished and tiiose who handt-d over their coin time after time, but on wuom fortune did not smile. Altogether the bazaar may be said to be a thorough succes . At the appointed hour, preparations being complete, the formal ope Ling took piace in the prebence of a large number of people. Key. Father Paiteißon introduced the Mayor with a few appropriate remarks. Nothing, he said, could please him (the Rev. Father) better than to compamen' the Cath >hcs of tbe district in securing the presence of one who has always helped us, as well aa other denominations in any work of cuarity. We sh .uld prize the more his visit to us to-day aB he has had to ecgage another of his profession to do duty for him to-day and to lorego his own engage aunts. At all times the Mayor and Mayoress have shown themselves only too ready to do good to ail, and in them we find the the very pink of chanty. He thanked them both, and Biucerely did bo, not alone lor himself, but as well the Catholic ladies of tbe stallholders for the Mayor and Mayotess'e kindness. Father Patterson paid a very high compliment to tbe lady stall-holders for the very beautiful and artistic woik displayed at their stalls, costing months of preparation, anxiety and toil. But now he was sure they would be well repaid by successfully loosening the purse-strings of the charitable aud good. He then said nothing would give him greater pleasure than to introduce bis wotvhip the Mayor. The Mayor, in opening the fair, said he complimented Father Patterson and tbe Catholics of the distiict on the success of the undertaking in building the most beautiful church in Palmerston or about for miles arouud. Father Pat'crson de-iervert every compliment and praise for his v tiring zeal in helping to erect such a beautiful ornament to thj town, lhe speaket said he was not, as they all knew, of the game faith, but he would ever admire the great,

zeal and earnestness of the priest and people of the Catholic denomination. If the Rev. Father was not present be would s y much more, but he could not forbear from s tying that he (Father Patterson) had the estimation and gool opinion of all the different sects in the community. He no iced that the ladies seemed anxious to stait their sales, so he would not detain them any longer but declare the fancy fair ' pen. Tbe following are the various stalls and the names of the ladies who attend at each :— Refreshment stall. — Mesdames Rogers and McDowell, Misses Rogers and Shannon. Ireland. — Mesdames Wiltshire, Iskerku, Brough and Sullivan. All Nations —Mrs. Speight, as btileof Lammermoor ; Mrs. Hickey, Hospital Nurse; lira. Fake, Uuion Jack ; Mrs. (Jronm, Sullivan ; and Miss Jackson, as Colleen Bawn. England. — Mesdaims O.tkley, Manson, McMiun, Miss Lamberts, and Miss McMinn as Fis ler Qirl. France. — Mesdames Claude, Pascal, Aid ridge. Miases Aldridge and McKenzie. Scotland — Miss Dixon, as Mary Queen of Scots ; Mrs. Slattery, as Nurse ; Miss Harvey, Forget-me-not ; Misßes McDonald and Annie Harvey, Maids of Lome ; Miss Henley, Highland Lassie ; Miss Murphy, Hignland Lassie ; Miss Foley, Highland Lassie. Vocal and instrumental selections were contributed by the following ladies :— lnstiumental, Madame Moller, Mrs. Fitzherb«rt ; Misses Wallis, McMinn and Hollis. Vocal, Miss Aldridge, Mrs. Nannestad, Miss Moller, and Mr. Healy . Oue of the features of the evening's amusement was the May- Pole dance, which was a very pretty and pleasing sight, the little maidens taking part in it being very neatly and appropriately dressed for the occasion. In the early part of tbe evening tbe Fire Brigade Band played a number of selections outside the hall. Tbe bazaar was closed at 10.30 every evening, and was continued for 4 days. The following are the names of the may-pole dancers : — Mines Murphy (2), Hodgon (3), Foley, Krivan (2), Rogers, Phillips, Bradley, Jensen, Nugent, and blattery, Speight (Queen).