THE DHURBAR.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 4, 25 May 1894, Page 19

THE DHURBAR.

The long-expected ani ardently wisbed-for arrival of the Maharajah Chandah took pUce at the Garrison Hall, Dunedin, on Monday evening. Tne scene was a very gay one. The hall had been tastefnlly and brilliantly adorned. All around three sidea and beneath the front of the gallery waß an awning in alternate stripes of red and white, and under this arches had been constructed aijd prettily decorated to enclose the various stalls. Of these the furnishing was rich and beautiful in the ex'reme, forming certainly the handsomest show of the kind that we had eeen in this city, and that is saying a good deal. The roof and walls of the hull were ornamented with hangings, banners, nnd Chinese lanterns, disposed of with the best and most striking 1 fEect. At the head of the room, in front of the platform the thrones of the Maharajah and the Princess had been erected with great splendour. The platform was arranged for the musical performances. Proceedings commenced by an overture, " Tne Marry Wives of Windsor" (Nicolai), on 3 pianos, by Misses K. Moloney, OBeilly, S. Hall, N. Hall, M. Bossbotham, and T. Rossbotham, assisted by «n orchestra under the direction of Mr A. F. Bobertshaw. This was a very fine performance, and was much appreciated by the audience. It w*s followed by selections — also admirably given — by the orchestra. Then from the right hand d or of entrance at the bottom of the ball, princes, pashas, and lords-in-waiting, accompanied by the ladies of the courts represented, entered, Qreciani, Arabians, Persian?, Indians, Circassians, Egyptian?, and Algeiiaes. The orchestra played a march and the precession kept time to the music, moving two or three times ia various picturesque figureß throcgh the room. Their Highnesses then took up their places around thethronep, and the ladies ranged themselves on ei'her aide of the hall. The costumes were in great variety and of excellent taste. The whole Orient from the Mediterranean to the China Sea had evidently been ransacked for models. Some were grave and mysterious, some light and ethereal, but all were verj pretty and most

appropriate. His Worship the Mayor, standing on the platform of the throne=, then spoke as follows, prefacing his remarks by a lowly Balaam :—: —

LaHes and geTtlemen, — I have the honour to appear before yon this evening in my official capacity as Mayor of this city to open this grand dhurbar, and to welcome to this Britain of the South his High. ness the Maharajah of Chandar, who will presently appear Bnd will be received, as you will observe by glancing around, by his loyal subjects in accordance with ancient usage and custom. It is not often, I need hardly tell you, that remote dependencies of the British Crown are so honoured as we are to-night, and I have no doubt the citizens will duly recognise the fact by the liberality they will presently display wheu the maDy wares of Oriental production are exposed to their view, The Maharajah of Chandar is one of the greatest potentates on earth, aod is, it will please our prohibition friends to know, a strictly temperate man, his principal beverage being sherbet and suchlike rubbish — unices (I may tell you m confidence), he can get a glass of whisky on the sly ('aughter) But tis Highness will shortly appta-, and I nia^t be brief — or, tint is, will nppetir 11 he has not been to severely attacked by soa-rickuess duriLg his voyage. But as the Key Mother Pnores3 has b en for some days p-ist in communication with dptain KJwio, locally with Mr Paulin, with a view of controlling the weather, it is hoped hia Highness ihe Maharajah of Chandar will have had a b nootb p-i-saye and not been afflicted ; and as he comes in a s'eamer c illed the Oriental Q j en, and diawmg ouly 19ft of water, it is expected t^ere will be no impediment to her crossing the bar. His Highness has, by telegram, graciously signified that, after he has been ieceived with that honour that bin s his high and exalted statioD, he will permit the sale of a large number of Eastern and other productions, and that during the continuance of the dhurbar the fiir vendors may be permit'ed to charge at letst £>0 per cent. on the cost of tho6e articks, &Dd thu», for a time at kast, revive the ancient custom at one time prevail nt in Dunedin of ge ting tair profit and a living wage. And now, ladies and gentlemen, 1 need not inform you that the object of this gathering to-night, and the colkctiou of thsse really beau lful an i costly articles winch I s_'e exhibited in tht various gtallf, is a very praiseworthy one, being no less than to raise funds for the purpose of clearing off the debt which, I understand, exists upon the Convent School. It is needless for me to say anythicg of the merits of thut institution or jf its great claims upjn y v ur beuevolent generosity to-night. That it ia *n institution worthy of all praise may be evidenced by the fact that not only is it patronised so largely by members of the Booian Catholic persuasion, but also a large number of tdeir Protestant fellow citizens take the opportunity of sending their children tothe school in order that they may receive a ladylike and good education (applause). I am informed, and it really seems a most astonishing fact, that the greater proportion of the beautiful articles displayed for your purchase have been worked by the nuns. It does seem to me most astonishing that ladies so cloistered from the observances of the world as they are should be able to execute such beau'iful work, and with rare taste and delicacy of perception. I very much regret — acd lam Bure it is a regret in which all this vast audience will join me in— I regret exceedingly the absence of your loved and revered bishop, Bishop Moran. 1 should have been highly delighted myself to have seen him here, and I am J sure that all of you cm re-echo heaitily and biacerely that wish I (applause). 1 can only express the hope — the very fervent hope — that the Almighty will, in His own good pleasure, restore your worthy bishop to health, and that h may live for years to continue bis career of usefulness aud good work to the communion to which he so honourably belongs (tppUuae) I do not think you desire a Lng speech from me, and 1 have just been informed, and 1 know it from the tremor passing over my feeble fimae, that his Boyal Highness the Maharajah of Chandar is not far off. I shall not, therefore,

detain you longer, but have the honour to declare this great dhurbar open for this and the ensuing evanmgs. I can only rxpreis the hope that the gentlemen present, most of whom I am glad to sco are accompanied by fair ladies, will re B pond to the rare taste and art displayed in these stalls to-night, by shelling out money handsomely. Sever mind if iimesare hard , apeud youi money wil'u a »,11. 1 believe that anything expended in sj goou a work as tnis win return to you three times over, and that before long. Ladies and gentlemen, 1 have much pleasure in declaring the dhurbar open (applause). The great event of the night followed. The Maharajah and the Princess were borne up the hall in a palanquin— paladin* of manly vigour aod splendid proportions acting as their bearers, while a b*nd of lordly attendant?, with a troop of gorgeous negro boys at their heels, surrounded the sumptuous conveyance. The ladies standing at the sides of the hall, meantime, made their s*laams, now in front, dow to the right, now to the left, waving their arms in rhythmic measure a*d going through a series of graceful movements The sublime gues's took their seats upon the thrones, the pashas, princee, and lords made their obeisance, and His Mflj^sty was presented with a pipe, from which he drew a dignified wh.ff or two, a privilege shared with him by one or two of the more august eatraps. Then a flock of little girls, with dresses flowing wide and long, tripped merrily up the hall, and fell to dancing, in and oat, up and down, their skirts and ribbons spreading with the motion. A nutter of butterflies was the only thing to which it might be compared, and nothing brighter or prettier could be imagined. Afterwarda the royal visitors re-entered their palanquin and were borne with equal Btate from the hall.

The Very Rev Father Lynch, rector of St Joseph's Cathedral, then addressed the audience. He said : tLadies and Gentlemen,— l have, on behalf of the nuns, to thank his Worship the Mayor for his very kind speech. I have to thank you for your attendance, and to thank the ladies and gentlemen- I am sorry the Maharajah is not now here— for all they are doing to help. lam sorry his Lordship the Bishop is not here, and yoj too are sorry for that. To his Worfhip the Mayor I am extremely grateful for his kind allusion to the bishop. As the bishop could not be present he has asked me in a certain way to represent him— that le, in his name to spend some money. And now to business. There are seven stalls, arrange-), as we have said, in the arc 1 e3 beneath the gallery. At the end is the refreshment still, where M «■- dames Roach, Mnenan, Cirroll and Shepherd, » B *Nted by the Mmes Martin, Columb(2) ) Toompy,M..enaa(2) ) Rober-s,Dunc,m and B-emncr and Mtssrs Hooper, Griffin, and Liston dispense hoqpuably. The charms of the cuisine are difficult to describe, but a handsome bridecake and a quantity of fruit, with dainty c infections of many Kinn», appeal to the eye and strongly suggest a bountiful and delicious table. Trial will be found much more satisfactory than description.— Next this stall is the Grecian stall, presided over by Mesdames Wood", Murphy, and Hart, assisted by the Misses Falkner, Hegarty (2), Mee. and Trinder, and Messrs Miscall, Day, Murphy, Woods, and ' Pavleticij. In this stall a large oil. painting of Bishop Moran at once attracts the eye. It is the work of Mr Willie Green, of R.>s yn, and does uli ,ite credit to the painter. The likeness is admirable. Ihe Bi-hop looks grave, but not stern, and the intelligent expression peculiar to him has been caught perfectly. He wears his purple biretta, his black Boutane, edged with red, and his episcopal chain and cross. He sits in a chair covered by an opossum rusr, A 1 the details are admirably wrought, and the picture certaiuly ranks with the very best of its subject that have been done— if, indeed, it does not surpisj them. Of the other contents of th's stall, we Deed only say that they embrace some of the choicest articles among tho9a that, in our preliminary notices of the sale, bad been mentione'l.— No 2,, the Arabian stall, is presided over by Mesdimes Barnes and Cantwell, assisted by Misses Smith, Barnes Woods, Heley, Moloney, Heffernan, Kennedy, and Duncan, and Messrs Richardson ('), Kilpatnck. and Molony. This stall also is very handsomely furnished' Conspicuous here, as well, n a portrait of the Bishop, a lar'tie bromide photograph, executed by Mr Gill, a work of its kind, tro, that ouhi hardly be surpassed. Among the other exhibits are a folding screen in arnsene, a Spanish lounge, a fire screen in raised wool work, a beautifully painted mirror, a number of cushions, and many i tber rare or useful article?, including a quantity of under-clothi ig/ No 3, the Persian stall, is presided over by Mrs Hall, assisted by the Mt.s-s Macedo (2), Monkman, Hall, Annie H,,|l, Fra^er, Kilmaairj, McEwen, and Lily Culumb. Here a bjau'iful firescreen in the Bhapeof a horse shoe, cmUiniog a wreath of convolves in pariah painting, takes a principal place. There are. besidee, a largi Spanish lounge, a pann«lled screen, a fire screen in lunar painting, a mirror with a girl oo a swing painted by Miss O'Nenl, a cuahion in a new style of work— felt on velvet, a beiutifu ly painted chiff >ni.r-mirror, a large oil painting of cattle by the sea, and innumerably other articles. A nook nex' this stall, where Mrs Petre presides, assisted by the Misses Rowland, Shannon, O'Neill, and O'Callaghan, is devoted to dolle, a wedding party taking the place of honour. The company is crowded, and apparently includes all ranks of socie'y, fashioaable

ladies, however, predominating. No 4, the Indian stall, ia opposite, at the head of the ballon the left ; Miss Staonton presides, assisted by Misses X Morkane, L. Morkane, J. Dramm, M. Drumm, Crawford, M'Lean, and Denahy, Messrs Wa'ers, E. Dunne, Fcil, Moikane' Morell, and Seehof. A panel in Berlin wool, worked so finely as to rc=cmb!e p.i'nt-ng aai baring for its mhj°rt nn Indian f, , o wuc|jau^o vi -' 1 - --^ -»u^ .o z*c cpicndic! Indian settee, spoken of by us in a recent report. There are b.sd^s p'aques snl mirrors and cushions, stools, tables and chaiia and a beautiful set of lace curtains. No 5, the Circassian stall, is presided over by Mrs M'Donald, assis ed by Misses Colehan, IKlc>, Carr. R^-ers, Mary L'.ojgcrp, and L. Connor, Messrs J. Dunne Deehan, Green, Morell, O'Dnscoll, and J. ledgers. Here also is an endless assortment of beautiful things. A Circassian rug, a mirror bracket, a lounge, a superb inlaid writing desk, some pretty views of Scotch scenery, and so on, ad in/uiitum. No 6, the Egyptian stall, i- presided over by Mesiames Connor and O. R. Wise, (Oamaru) and Miss Mackay, assisted by Misses J. Connor, L. Brook", A. Brook?, J. Limb, N. Deaahy, N. O'Djanell, and Mullin?, Messrs W. Connor,' P. Carohn, M. Dwyer, and Q. Brooks. Here (here are a beautiful screen in Poonah painting, a mirror painted wi h a spray of cherry blossoms and a butterfly, a baby, all but alive, in an embroidered robe, full size, a fine cashmere square, a stylish hood, and everything complete We have but feebly sketched the contents of the stalls. We have not so much as mentioned a ti'he of the goods, much leBS described them. We hope we have d.-ne enough to interest those of our readers who have not already visited the hall, ani to induce them to do ao during the day or two still remaining. They will be well repaid for their trouble, and the tickets of admission entitle each holder to 8 chance in a special art-union.

Persons suffering from asthma or neuralgia are recommended to apply at once to Mr G. E. Warbarton, Timaru. Dr Morell Mackenzie's as'rma powder and Waiburton's specific have been tried respectively, wilh great success, The Glasgow Restaurant, Moray Placr, Duned'n, has been enlarged and improved. A fine new kitchen has been built the dining room has been extended, and several other rooms have 'been added. As a restaurant and boar i ing house the establishment has now no rival in the Colony. Cnargee, moreover, have been reduced to thfl lowest rate possibh . Th- 1 Priest' announces that serious news has b°pn received from Mad-igascrtr, and th it, among other thing*, Mr Kaott, the British V>ce-Coneul, has just landed 3000 Snider rifles *ud 300,000 cartridges a' Majunga for the use of t c Huvag. The same piper says that the Pio i sent miss ovaries aie working hard to undermine French inlluence. The Htp Cirdinal Manning had a story tj te'\ says Mr Maynell of a predecessor— Bishop Bramstone. One day am lememb-r of his flock approached this bisbop, siymg he waned a wife, addio^ the usual modest condit>onß--ehe must be younp, no, and pretty. "' Oh' you are mistaken," said the bishop ; my name is Bramstone, not BriniHfoae — 1 do not make matches." Father Ilealy, the well-known parish priest of Hray, has made his name famous in London by a witticism uciversally copied and c irnnrieuti'd on by top papers. An ardent politician asked him •' What d'ye think Mr Tim LT-aly will be in the first Irish Parliament — Lord C h-incellor, Attorney-General, or what ? " '■ I ihink," replied Father Healy, " he will be a very old m.in." Information has renrhed the London c of the JSinn'nvjham Post from wnat may be considered a good source, to tne tffeet that a completely organised system of espionage has been going on of late around our c justs So far as the authorities yet snow, three persons who are m the employ of a neighbouring Power have been responsible for this. The movements of these have been traced, »nd it has been istabhshed .hat certain documents have been transmitted to the Governmpnt in ques'ion which could not fail to be valuable in time of war. Ino menura of conveyance is believed to be, i woman, or, as is sail to bs probable, a man dressed in femiDine hi tire. Efforts were made by ot.e of these persons to secure documetrs which were known to be in ihe possession of a Government office in Whitehall ; but here he met with failure. The papers already tran^mtte ! are understood to deal with the fortific»tions at Portsmouth, Chatham, Tilbury, and the c >ast line to the north We are happy t<; chronicle the exit of that great nais*nce koown as the Salvation Army headquarters from Pe-ttab, to the great joy and relief of a 1 ihe respec able res dentp, as a corre«poadent informs us. Whit with marching through the streets to the accompaniment of the hammering away at the proverbial " big drum " by brawny " ladH and lassies," after a fashion in which '■ tima " was made % martyr to sound, the co> tinuil street harangnings on cheap salvation to crowds of s-c .frers at Cnn«tianity, generally composed almost < xdu^ively of th^ " follow >rs i f the prophet," whose interest in •' salvation " is so widely kk u o# i as to neei no comment, and that unmentionable music which diaturbeJ s> fnquently the slumbers of neighbouring p-ople unul the small hours of morning, it would be burprisin^ indeed it th ■ rem vul of this nuisance were not followed by many a fervent De» (jratias. Where the Headquarters are now or whether there are an> — we hope not — our correspondent does not stste, but all who have nay care for maintaining umong the heathen the respect dup to Christianity cannot but receive with pleasure this further indication of he wane ct the Salvation Army, which has done so mi.cb to make religion a bye-wo^d and a subject of scoffiog to the miihoue in tbin colony '■ seated in darkness and the shadow of death," and groping after tt.e light of the Gospel, oo which the fanatical codduct of the Salvationists has brought not a little disdain.— Ceylon Catholic Messenger.