HOSPITAL BAZAAR.

Dunstan Times, Issue 838, 10 May 1878, Page 2

HOSPITAL BAZAAR.

The Gift Auction and Bazaar held in C[yde on Saturday, the 4th instant, in aid of the funds of the Dunstan District Hospital, was unquestionably a most unqualified success, and redounds equally to tho credit of the Committee in whose hands the affair was placed, as to the donors, or to those who in the position of purchasers so ably supported the efforts of the others. The Committee in seeking gifts for the occasion left no stone unturned, thedonors responded to the call on their charity with a good will, and the purchasers backed up both in a manner creditable alike to their good sense as to their good wishes towards the Institution. The day that of all others was wished to be fine opened gloomy, and at mid-day, with a leaden sky and a mizzling rain falling, the hopes of tire Committee in a successful and happy result of their efforts were at zero, and their fears of a disappointment or failure was plainly visible in their countenances ; some even proposed a postponement, but they were overruled, and with a determination to do or die, the workof preparation was carried on, the original programme proceeded with, and by the time stated for commencing, 3 o’clock, everything was in order and tbe doors were thrown open, not, however, to the eager crawd that was expected, but to a very select few friends of the promoters. Things did not look cheery, hut the Committee bestowed every attention upon their visitors and in describing tho various gifts, commenting on the virtues and liberality of some of tho donors, or the eccentricities of others, managed like good soldiers in wiling away the time and keeping them together till some dozen had congregated, when the Secretary of the Hospital broke tho ice by briefly stating the objects of the gathering and soliciting their support. The Clyde Brass Band having by this time mustered in full strength played some favorite airs, after which the sale commenced, and saving a short adjournment for tea was carried on till nearly midnight, when the auctioneers, Mr Samson, of Alexandra, and Mr Fache, of Clyde, who kindly gave their services, announced that tho last article had been offered. The Secretary again mounted the plat form, and briefly thanking the company for their spirited biddings, expressed his gratification at the result, which he said was beyond the expectations of the most sanguine, the more so considering that with the exception of one or two the company wore residents of Clyde and its immediate neighborhood. Having now given full credit to the donors an 1 purchasers, wo must turn to the gifts which, as displayed, presented a pleasing sight. One stall was devoted to killed moats, and was a sight not alone creditable to the growers but to the tradesman whose hands it had passed through, it consisted of whole sheep, sides of mutton, colonial gooses (as many may not know what a colonial goose is, wc may say that it is a fore quarter of mutton honed, stuffed, and trussed un to resemble a goose), slinking pigs, calvo’s bead, plucked geese and many other niceties. The slice]) wore the. finest that, have been seen in the district for many a long year, and weighed between 60 and 70 pounds each, and were from the Moutere, Gal'oway, and Matakanni stations. One of the sheep, also two of the saddles, were most artistically got ii]), the sheep having scored on the back a very excellent representation of Brittania anil the British Lion supported by an Indian girl on cither side, the whole ornamented with a wreath and the words God Save the Queen. One saddle had the .Vincent County seal and motto, and tho other the Victorian Coat of Arms and the words Relieve, the Infirm. This stall was the work of Mr C. Attfield and his shop man.

Mr A. Brown, and for tlio great trouble taken by them and taste displayed, they honestly deserved the praise bestowed upon their handy work. Another artistic gift worthy of mention was a candy fillagree basket filled with imitation fruit, and a miniature butcher's shop, made of sugar, presented by Mr 8011, baker and confectioner, of Clyde, also a most wonderfully neat pair of lace-up boots, the present of Mr Peters, of Clyde. Of wines and spirits there was a fair share, while of poultry and farm produce there was enough to stock a fair sized market. Last, but not least, dear ladies, were your gifts, which included some perfect gems of art' and which among the bachelors found buyers, not so much with the idea of their value wethink, but for the sake of the pretty tingersthat weaved them We have said the affair was a success, and we think all will agree with us when wo inform them that the amount realized was in round figures the handsome sum of LllO. A list of the various gifts, and the names of the donors we unfortunately are unable to publish this week, in our next we hope to do so.