BAZAAR AT BALCLUTHA

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 32, 8 December 1893, Page 15

BAZAAR AT BALCLUTHA

Thb Catholics o! Balolatha have been for some months working hard to ensure a successful result for their bazaar. It was opened on Thursday, the 30th ult, in Barr's Hall, by the Mayor of the town, Mr G. Thomson , who stated that the object for which this effort was being made, was to enlarge the local Catholic chnrcb. The hall was filled to over-flowing with visitors, who came prepared to undergo the fleecing that is inseparable from such entertainments. A pleasiDg transformation had taken place in the interior of the building, which at the opening presented a very lively and animated appearance. A vast number of flags and banners of various colours and devices adorned the walls and bung gracefully from the ceiling. The various •tails were prettily decorated with flowers and drapery, and furnished with an abundance of most artistic objects. No 1 Stall, which was in charge of Mrs and the Misses Davidson , was seen to good effect on entering the door. On it were some handsomely painted cushions, a very fine fender-stool in crewel work, several hand-painted eilk fans, besides a large and varied assortment of fancy clothing. No 2 Stall was presided over by Miss McLachlan (Mosgiel), and the Misses Lynch (Milton). The objects that attracted most attention on this stall were several large hand-painted mirrors done in a highly artistic manner by Miss O'Neill, of the Dominican Convent, together with some flowered plaques by the same artist. A large fire screen in tapestry, that gave evidence of patient and skilful labour, and was very generally admired and cjveted, adorned the front of this stall ; on which was also a pair of handsome glasi cuses, the interior of which were adorned with ferns, imviortelles, coral, saaahells, and stuffed birds. No 3 Stall was attended by the Misses Dunne and Mrs Henry. Th« most conspicuoas article ia this was a large bride in very costly apparel, a lovely cushion in arascene, with foxglove on a ground work of old gold satin, artistically paintad. A very haodsom 3 ottoman, poonah-painted, added to the beauties of this stall, which, like the others, was supplied with numberless knick-kaacks. The refreshment stall was under the supervision of Meadames Fitzgerald, Walk, Angus, and MacNamee. The aiual adjuncts of Bhooting gallery, fUh pond, gipsy tent, Xmastree, etc, gave scope for mirth and fun. The phonograph was also among the attractions of the bazaar, being kisdly lent and manipulated by the travelling agsnt, Mr Levdoo, A very pleasing feature of the entertainment was a maypole dance by sixteen little girls, whose instruction was commenced by Miss McLschlan (Mosgiel) and steadily continued by Miaa Frances Dunne. The precision with which the little ones gracefully went thiongh the various figures of the dance excited universal admiration. The Swiss ]ig was also given by the Bitne performers each evening. The ball was kept rolling for three nights, and a very brisk aminess done in each of the stalls. On Saturday the unsold goods were pnt up to auction, and wete speedily knocked down to eager purchaters under the hammer of Mr Wilson. At the dese of the auc ion, Father O'Neill thanked the Mayor for opening the baziar and helping as he did in so many w*ys. He^Lso thanked the auctioneer, Mr Wilson, for his gratuitous services. The local ladies who worked so diligently and harmoniously, received tbeir well-deserved meed of praise, as aUo the yonng ladiej who had come from considerable dUtanceß to lend a band, and who worked so magnificently. Special mention was made of the splendid spirit displayed by members of different denominations, bat for whose

generous and hearty support this effort could not bare attained the success which attended it. The mention of the amount raised (£150) was reoeived with applaase. The Rev Father Hant of South Danedia, aod Rev Father Ryao, Milton, gave very considerable help, as did also Mr Hal pin of Lovell's Flat. Father O'Neills people in Milton are energetically working (or & bazaar which is to take place at the end of the month, and the people of Mosgel are in training for their baziar whio'i takes place some months on.