THE DOMINICAN CONVENT BAZAAR, INVERCARGILL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 14, 2 January 1891, Page 11

THE DOMINICAN CONVENT BAZAAR, INVERCARGILL.

(From an occasional Correspondent.)

AtTBR many months of unremitting toil and diligent application the efforts of the Dominican Nuns, and of the ladies and gentleman of tbe congregation who assisted them were brought to a .-uccessful issue. No trouble was spared in the preparation of useful and artistically finished commodities for the b.zaar, high hop s were entertained regarding the finanoiil result of the good works iv hand and I am giad to be in a position to say that the bazaar has been eminently successful, and tbe highest bopee have been fully realist d. I send the report of the openiDK if the bazaar on Wednesday, 10 h inst., as given in the Southland Times of December 11, hoping you will kindly find space to inßert it in full.

"The nature and magnitude of the preparations which have bepn going on for tbe past few months to render the bazaar m aid of the Dominican Convent and Schools a big draw and a big success were apparent the moment the doors were thrown open to the public yesterday afternoon, and it was equally evident that the prumot rs, the ladies and gentlemen who have worked so hard and so well, have accomplished all, and perhaps more than even their most saDguine expectations bad painted. The visitors who thronged into the theatre as soon as the appointed time arrived were met with a scene tbe beauties and attractions of which were at first difficult to realise because of their lavish profusion, livery inch of the floor space which could be utilised without absolutely preventing freedom cf movemeut to and fro is occupied by stalls, stands, etc., and upon these stalls and stands are arranged an infinite variety of articles, 1 he produce of much ingenious and an is ie skill. To give anything like an i(^ea of the vast assortment of go >df, useful and ornamental, which are piled so tastefully all around, to convey the faintest impression of the wonders that the -seal, energy, aud skill of the ladies have accomplished would be a task iruposHible of performance within the ordinary limits of a newspaper report, and it must therefore be sufficient to pay that the quality, appeara' ce, and intrinsic value of the goods displayed are greatly superior to those usually vended on euch occasions and in every caße well worth the prices set upon them. It is not at eveiy bazaar that the expenditure which so freely goes od— or which 6hould no freely go cn — affards bubstautial and Batisfactory returns, nnd ther"f<iro th" bszaar that ran claim such a distinction is particularly entitled topaironage. To epend one's money Id a good cause is, beyond doubt, exemplary and praiseworthy, but to get at the same time excellt nt value does not as a rule ttnd to lessen the pleasurable feelings the deed of chanty creates.

Shortly before 3 p.m. the bazaar was formally opened by Mr. J. G. Ward, M H R., who, with tte Rev. Fathers Walsh, Keenan, ▼ereker, aod Murphy, and the young people destined to take part iv tbe musical programme, occupied the stage.

Mr. Ward said : Rev. gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, the part of the business which I have to perform to-day ia an exceedingly agreeab c one, and one in the discharge of which I shall not take up your time very long. I may in the first place congiatulate the Udies and gentlemen, the evidence of whose industry is seen on ail sides, on the excellent display before ug. lam sure when I look to my right, to my It ft, and in front of me that the stalls could not have been so splendidly equipped without a great deal of labour, skiU, taste and hard work, nnd 1 take the earliest opportunity on behalf of those for whom the bazaar has been got up, of reluming tbeir thanks to the ladi s and gentlemen who have done so well. I trust that the large attendance I see before me may be accepted as an augury aa to what the results of the bazaar will be. I see that a gentleman, Mr. Mcßae, has come from the heights of Hokonui to indulge in bagpipe music for the pleasure of those who come here, and bis presence I think all will agrea with me, is a proof that an interest far beyond Invercargill is taken in this bazaar. I desire especially to thank Mr. Mcßae for coming. It is not my purpose, nor I think your desire, to take up your time unnecessarily ; all I wish to say ia that I hope those who came here with pockets laden will speedily and freely unload them, and I am sure at the conclusion they will have no occasion to regret their libertlity. It would be superfluous for me to go into details us to the attractions offered, ar.d I only have to express the hope that the results of the bazaar will prove highly beneficial to the cause for which it has been got up. With mt detaining you any longer I declare the bazaar open, and I hope you will all spend your money freely and so enable it to achieve the purpoße for which it is held.

A sbort musical programme followed, connistine of the following items, each of which was admirably rendered : — Overture, " Crown Diamonds," Misses Little, M. McLeod, Maher, and Morton (pianos), and Miss Dickinson (violin) ; solo, " Joyous Life," Miss Kirwan ; piano solo, " Last Rose of Summer," Miss Maher ; duet and chorus, " All Hail, Zealand," Misses Hishon and K. Kirwan, and the school girls (GO voices)

The opening ceremony having been completed, the real busioess began in earnest, the young ladies beiog indefatigable m their exertiona to dispose of their wares, and irresistible in the blandishments they summoned to their aid. The refeshmpnt schll and tea saloon were very liberally patronised ; a Cnristmas tree ne*r the centre of the tloor received considerable attention, while the fish pond and the Post Office did capital business. T' c followiog were the Udies who presided at the stalls : — Fancy Goods Stall, No 1, Mesiames HicksoD, Maher, and Kersey ; as-istants, Mist-es Hickson, Maher, N. Pnntz, and X Dickinson. Fancy Goods Stall, No. 2— Misses Morgan (6), Collins (2), Dalrvmple. Fancy Goods Stail, No. 3— Misses Lawlor, Button, Cahill, Thompson, O'Hara, and Appleby ; as-istants, Miss* a Cabi)l (3), McCarthy, and Hishon Fancy Go ><is Mall, N > 4—Vlesdames bhepherd, Morton, Dalton. Cassi ly, and Horan ; a sistauts, Missis Staunton, Morion, Dal on, Gavin, and Hutjb s. Refr. --hnient Stall— Mesdamea Byme and McPherson, Misses Hill (2) ami K.-ys. Flower S' all— Miss s Anderson (2), 1 ody, Fibh.and McLeod (2). Tea Saloon — Mtsdames Cameron, Reid, McGiath, and McCarthy Misses Mclvor, M. RdU, Bradley. Fish Pond— Mesdames J. E. Reid and Byrne; assistants, Misses Roche, Mclnerney. Post Office — Miss-8 Kirwan and Kavanagh ; assistants, Misses Waterson, S ook L Hul, A. Phillips, and N. Kme. Religious Objects— Mesdames Wills and Hughes ; assistants, Misses Shepherd (2) and Pasco. Christmas Tree — Mis. Dunne ; assistants, Misses Craies, Crawford, and Weavers.

In the evening the hall waa crowded almost to exc> ps, and business was extremely brisk and lively. Besides the ladies and gentlemtn who promenaded the floor a consi lerable Dumber took up positions iti the circle and there erjoyed tbe music the limelight views • xhibited by Mr. Jamea Stewait, and the scene of brilliant loimatiou. But if any of those who occupied the circle thought that by roing so they might avoid the c mmon fate of visitors to bszaarb they were hugely mistaken, f >r the f.iir vendors penetrated ivtnto'bat retired sphere and practised their arts vi persuasion wi h no email success The concert waa a capital oue, consisting of V c followiug item«. besides a number of selections by the Inveicargill Oichestral Society :— Ovfrture, " Poet and Peasant," Misses Little, Maher, and Pnntz (piam s), and Miss Dickinson (violin) ; chorus, " Has sorrow thy young days shaded," pupils and ex-pupils ; piano solo (tbree pianos), " Mocking Bird," the Missts Maher, Morton, and MoLtod ; vocal duet, " Sul enmpo della the Misses Kirwan and Hishon ; overture, "Tancredi," Mis«es Li tie and Morton, Maher and McLeod, Pnntz nnd Hickson (pianosj, Mies Dickinson acd Master Ferguson (violins), and the chorus " All Hail Zealai dia." as in the afternoon. The music was listened to with appreciative attention thioughout, and at an interval Mr. Stewart's lime-light views interested and amused the audieuce. Tbe takings for the uay exceeded £100 " The bazaar was open each afternoon and evening vn r il Monday night December 15th. The good impressions of the display which were carried away by the patrens on the fust days had tbe tff-ct of brioginc* in larger crowds, un'il on Saturday evening the. interest and enthusiasm had reached their highest. The theatre was literally crowded, so much so, that locomotion was almost impeded, and the management were compelled to consent to the baz.iai beiug upt-u again on the following Monday. Each evening an attractive vocal and instrumental entertainment was given, wbile the young people were amused with limelight exhibitions, magic lanterns, and oilier pleasing displays.

The stalls were very liberally patronised, and did a "roaring " trade — being replenished from the Convent each time the stock was getting low, until the most of the available supply waa disposed ot.

The gipsy foitune teller was also there, and from the amount she realised it would se m beyond doubt that the vocation of a for-tune-teller is a lucrative one.

The drawing of prizes in connection with the art uiron took place in the theatre on Saturnay, December 13th aud proved very lnterranng to those who held tickets at d who were present, watching the drawing, and hoping their ticket would prove a winning number, The young ladies from the bazaar stalls performed tbe

drawing in turns, and tbe winning numbers were posted up in the hall in theevenimr, and it was worth something to Bee the antica and the countenances of sjme of tbe holders of the lucky numbers.

From beginning to end t»e whole affair passed off without a hitch. As tbe joint takings of baziar and art-union amounted to a sum very close on £900, it wi II 11I 1 be seen that, financially speaking, they proved a huge success It must be encouraging t j the assiduous and energetic nuns to score so well, and it must be pleasing and satisfactory to all who assisted in any way to make th»» undertaking a success to know that their efforts have been bo fruitful, and let us hope all will be in a happier and better mood to enjoy a merry Cbristma3 and a happy New Year.