GRAND OPERATIC BAZAAR AT WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXII, Issue 52, 26 April 1895, Page 18

GRAND OPERATIC BAZAAR AT WELLINGTON.

(From an occasional Correspondent.) The grand operatic bazaar promoted by the Very Rev Father Devoy , V.G., fcr the purpose of raising funds to pay off the debt on the Newtown Convent School grounds, was formally opened by the Premier, on Tuesday evening, the 16th inst., in the Skating Rink. Tbe opening ceremony ioclnded a grand processional march, in which the lady stallholders and their assistants in operatic costumes, a number of charmingly dressed children, and officials of tbe exhibi tlon took part. The Premier was accompanied on the platform by His Grace Archbishop Bed wood, Very Rev Father Devoy, V.G., Hon Dr Grace, Messrs M, Kennedy, B. 0. Holcroft (secretary), T. Davis, and the members of the different organising committees. The Very Rev Father Devoy introduced the Premier in a very pleasing manner and said that the fact of the Hon Mr Seddon's consenting to perform the opening ceremony was a matter for congratulation for tbe promoters. The Premier said it was always a pleasure to him to aesiat in every cause intended for the benefit of tbe people, and in the present instance, the object, be believed, was for the good of the people generally, and under the direction of Father Devoy he had no doubt but it would be a success. Speaking of the art union which is to take place in connection with the bazaar, Mr Seddon alluded to tbe time when the Church was tbe leading power, while at present the consent of tbe State must be obtained before an art-union can be conducted, which shows the reversal of authority which hp.s come about. He trusted tbe results of their efforts would be satisfactory, and worthy of the laudable object they had in view. His Grace Uio Archbishop, in returning thanks to the Premier for bis attendance and the inten st he took in their work assured him that they all fr lt graceful for hh kindness. Referring to the Premier's remarks as to Church and State, His Grace said that if the Church was ever dominant it wa9 by her persuasive powers, and in that way she yet intended to become dominant agaiD, as instanced that evening, when through tha persuasive abilities of Father Devoy, they had the Sta'e at their command — a fact which they all appreciated. The vote of thanks to tbe Premier was heartily received, and immediately the platform was abandoned and active business by the stall holders and their assistants commenced. The Premier was the first to inspect the stalls all round, and after the evening the ladies' rsflie bookß proved him to be a most liberal speculator. The interior of tbe Skating Rink is admirably decorated and draped with bunting and various coloured ecreens ; with pictures, painting?, and other ornamental exhibits, visible in every direction all round. With aitietic skill the stalls hive been designed, and in tbe most fantastic manner the goodi are displayed. The costumes of the stallholders and their assia'antß, representative of nearly every nation, are decidedly one of the first features of attraction, while the children engaged in tbe various dances in fnncy dresses, with bright and happy faces, form a dcligbtful little group. Tbe whole scene is aided by the brilliancy of numerous electric lamps. A flower stall, appropriately named Sweet Evelyn's Bower, is erected just inside thei entrance. It is very prettily designed and contains a collection of flowi rs tastefully arranged. It is presided over by Miss Rob?, assisted by Mtb Swindle?, Misses Boss, LiDg, and Faircbild.

The refreshment stall is immediately on tbe left of tha entrance, a d is abundantly Bupplied with the choicest dainties in the way of eatables and refreshing beverage?. It is in charge of Mrs McDonald, assisted by a most energetic group of assistants, including Mesdames H. Sullivan and Plat Ib, and Misses £ig(?, McDonald, Marshall, Holcroft and Shcehy. The stalls containing goods are named from the loading operas and operatic costumes, some of which have been kindly lent by the Wellington Operatic Society, are accordingly worn by the lady assistants. " II Trovatore," the first on the right-band Bide, contains an interesting and useful display of good?, amongst which are prominent a very fine bordered pictnre in a handsome frame, ingeniously constrncted of rice and cork, the work of Mr W. Gore. Another novelty of this stall is a large doll, beautifully dressed, and presented by Mrs McNeil. Hero, too, we find tbe usual co lection of fancy work of a most elaborate type. A number of articles have been made and supplied by Mtb Bolton, who, with Mesdamei Holt, Kent arid Lawlor, presides over this stall, their assistants being Misaes Kent, Lawlor, Quin,Gore, Gallagher, Curtice, Mason, Scanlon, Walsh, Fox, Galley and Miss Mary Campbell. The " Mikado " stall comes next, and is furnished with Japanese goods exclusively. Arranged with creditable taste they form a unique collection, and are very much admired by visitors. Tases, screens, tea sets, fans, sunshades, and other valuable products of Japan are included in this valuable stock, which has been specially selected for the bazaar. The Btall is under the management of Mesdames Lusk and Hyde, and Misses Daniels, G, Walsh, Carruthers, Stacey, Boss, and Carrigan are the assistants. Adjoining is the Religions Stall, which contains rich vestments, a gold monstrance, and a very imposing collection of religions statuary and pictures. Stall No 3 (Lucretia Borgia), is the last on the right hand side. The stallholders are Mesdames Cox, Brady, and Carroll, and their assistants, Misses Killcen, Waters, Gaighan, Smyth, Halpin, Kelly, Walsh, and Sandbrooke. The goods here displayed, especially some hand-painted mirrors, pictures, and cushions, are of a most useful character. On the opposite Bide of the building stands Stall No 4 (Maritana) under the able superintendence of Mesdames Gallagher, S; grief, McCumisky, Devlin, and Miss McCarthy. Dader their direction the sales were steadily conducted by Misses Fanning, Gallagher, Fitxsimmons, Bohan, Minogue, M'Parland, Walsb, Bernard, Leahy, 9ogrief, Lawless, Kearsley, and Moat. Local artists were very favourably represented ou tbis stall, and tbe goods which on the whole form an exquisite collection, have undoabtedly attracted the greatest share of attention. Among the more striking of the exhibits cf tbe Maritana stall are a plush-framed mirror on which is painted a (picture of Jerusalem, "On the Wauganni Rivar, 1 ' tbe work of Miss Collins ; a very haaisome figure in the shape of a doll dressed by Miss MoKeegan to represent Miss Nellie Stewart in "La Cigale "; a hand-paine d table, by the pupils of St Francis Xavier's Academy ; paintings on porcelain, by tbe Sisters of Mercy ; a handpainted mirror, by Miss Palmer ; and a handsomely worked lady's desk chair, poonah painting, etc, by Misses M'Oarthy and Minogue. There are also tbe usual side shows, including shooting and art galleries. The general arrangements are under the superintendence of Mr R. 0. Holcroft who, with Mr T. Davis, conducts tho priz3 drawing. A first class orchestra under Mr J. Keaigley, junior, conductor, supplies tho music each evening. The stage is arranged specially for the production of scnes from tae leading opsraa which form part of each evening's programmes, other features being tho " Pan Gavotte " and Maypole dance by a class of little gills charmingly dressed and perfectly trained. The bazaai wiU bo open until Tuasday, 23rd mat. The attendance is most satisfactory each evening, and the promoter, the Very R v Father Devoy wil! be able to make a pleasing announcement of the results at an e»rly date. Many of the bazaar officials aro deserving of special praise for the unflagging energy they have shown in tbe work, but more particularly Mr R. C. Holcroft, tho energetic secretary, who bas an undoubted capacity for the duties of the office, and to whose tact the success of tbe exhibition may in a large degree be attributed.

Mr R. T. Moynan, a member of the Royal Hibernian Academy, has sold his excellent picture called "Military Maneeavres." The artist's production represented a number of street arabe — youngsters of various ages, sizes, and expressions, and arrayed in all the com* plicated elaboration of tatters and rags— marshalled after military fashion and headed by a youth shouldering a broom and decorated with a caet-rfE helmet, which be wore with indescribable dignity. It attracted great admira'ion and was uni versa' ly praised. Mr Moynan waß invited to fend tbe picture to the Chicago World's Fair, and he later allowed it to be exhibited at the Californiaa Midwinter Exposition, where its merits attracted much attention, and it was purchased by Lady Sykes for I.OOOJoIs. Mr Moynan's portrait of tbe late Sir bohert Stewart has been acquired by tbe University Choral Society of Dublin, to be hnug in tbe new memorial building, to the memory of the eminent professor of music.