N A P I E R.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 21, 25 May 1899, Page 28

N A P I E R.

(Fro v oar own correspondent.")

Your columns recently contained particulars of the opening of the All Nations Bazaar in aid of the new Convent buildings. Many readers of the X. Z Tabli:t will, 1 am sure, be interested to learn that, brilliant as were the promises of success at the outlet, the results far exceeded expectations. The takings already show a gross total of over £So<>, and some items have yet to come in. As, thanks to good management, the expenses were kept within a reasonable limit, this will leave a handsome amount to the credit of the building fund. Of this excellent result our Catholic community has reason to feel proud. All worked with a will — the priests, the ladies' and gentlemen's committees the lady stall-holders and their assistants, and the indefatigable secretary — and the outcome was complete success. A pleasing feature was the ungrudging assistance given by many of our non-Catholic friends, who not only gave their personal services as assistants, but readily opened their pockets to the solicitations of the eager workers lor the different stalls. Business was very brisk throughout the week. During the progress of the bazaar attractive item.-, were pro\ ided as interesting breaks in the work of each evening. The Garrison Band played through the streets to the theatre every night. Mr. Newbould's orchestra g.ue occasional selections on the stage. Miss Dempsey, of Wangunui, and Miss Coe, of Waipawa, contributed vocal items, which proved highly acceptable. Mr. C. G. F. Eager hit the taste ot a, large section of the audience with his comic songs. A short farce was played on one evening by a number of the senior pupils from the Marist Brothers' School, and a squad of boy.s fiom the same institution Cd\e some creditable displays of club-swinging. But the palm for attractiveness must undoubtedly be given to the • pinafore dance,' which was in demand every evening. In this item over a score of pupils from tne Convent schools, under the leadership of Mi^-, R. St. ( lair, took part. On the last evening of rhe bazuar the Very llev Dean Grogan addressed tlio-e prt-ent. and on behait ot the hivcix ot the Convent returned thanks to tin' pijl.hu for tlni.- gn,<.r<,us patronage, to the stallholders mid thuir hi lpors *<.'r Uuir em. rueti .uid willing assistance, to the nngeis and inu-ie>.uis whoii,.d gm n their su-vices- during the progress of the Iw. i.ir. to the I7e s. .v.d to the Committee and /.ealou- secre'ais . all ot whom de-eivtil the warmest thanks that could be gi\en tor h.iwng contubuted to n.akethe bazaar so great a success.