THE HOSPITAL BAZAAR.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 150, 24 September 1872, Page 5

THE HOSPITAL BAZAAR.

The Cromwell Local Committee of the Dunstan District Hospital made a lucky hit in getting up an auction bazaar to help the institution out of the slough of financial difficulty in which it has been immersed for the last eighteen months. Their appeal for'' free gifts", met with a most liberal response throughout the district, and the heterogenous collection of articles sent in to the depot for sale proved a mine ox wealth when brought under the talis manic influence of the auctioneer's' hammer. The major portion of the portable commodities were arranged on sloping tables at the western end of Kidd's Concert-hall, which was kindly placed at the disposal of the Committee for the occasion ; and the tout ensembk was pleasing and effective. The display of fancy wool-work was decidedly the most conspicuous feature of the "show," and comprised an almost endless variety of colours and patterns in Berlin wool, wrought by skilful hands into articles of personal or domestic use or ornament. Prominent among this class of contributions was. a beautiful and elaborately-finished antimacassar, the work of a gentleman residing at Quartz Reef Point. With this exception, we believe, the whole of the fancy work was manufactured by artists of the fair sex, — to whose well-directed industry and skill the success of the bazaar is in a great measure attributable. Among the miscellaneous gifts were some willow market-baskets of local manufacture : these attracted much notice, and brought good prices. Toys, mantel-piece ornaments, clocks, engravings, bijntx, and musical instruments were there in profusion; besides an abundant stock of farm and station produce, groceries, soft goods, boots and shoes, ready-made clothing, books, magazines, live pigeons, geese and other kinds of poultry, —the whole of which realised fair and in some casos exorbitant prices. A map of the Cromwell township—beyond doubt the most complete and accuracy extant —was the object of general admiration : this contribu!ion was the work of a local amateur draughtsman. It would be tedious ti enumerate even a tenth part of the articles exhibited: suffice it to say that every " lot" found a ready purchaser, and many articles were sold and re-sold half-a-dozen times over. The sale was ably conducted by Mr Fache, auctioneer, who succeeded in attracting the almost undivided attention of a numerous audience for upwards of four hours. At the close of the sale, Mr Fache, in his capacity as Secretary to the Hospital Committee, returned thanks to donors and purchasers *or their generous aid in the cause of philanthropy. Mr Preshaw, ! Treasurer to the Local Comnvttee, briefly ! addressed the ladies and gentlemen present, and concluded by proposing a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Fache for his valuable services as auctioneer, and to Mr Cnristophers, the Hospital Treasurer, for his presence and countenance during the ev«nin_r. The proposition was received with " three times j three" ; and a similar compliment was paid j to Mr and Mrs Kidd for their kindness in i giving the use of the hall. The members of ! the Local Committee—Messrs Preshaw, Tay- [ lor, Baird, Colelough, Tait, and others—,ire | entitled to great credit for their arduous exertions in connection with the bazaar, as wed as for the general completeness of the arrangements made for the convenience of the public during the continuance of the sal". Mr W. Mac Nab kindly give his services in j the capacity of auctioneer's clerk ; and Masj ters James Wright and E. Smvthies wei'e inI defatigable in handing round the goods for I the inspection of intending purchasers. The I gros:? proceeds of the sale amounted to the very handsome sum of £97 3s. Gd.