WESLEYAN BAZAAR, RANGIORA.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 448, 20 November 1875, Page 4

WESLEYAN BAZAAR, RANGIORA.

A bazaar, to raise fuuds for the erection of a new church at Rangiora, was held under most favorable circumstances on Thursday last, and passed off very successfully, The new church, of which a description appeared in our columns a short time ago, is now about completed, and will be opened shortly. The object of the bazaar was to raise funds towards paying for it, and we believe that, as it realised as much as was anticipated, there will De oniy a small debt standing on the church at its opening. The bazaar whs held in the hall of the Eangiora Literary Institute, which had been prettily decorated with evergreens for the occasion, by Mr 8. Lucas and assistants, who Bet to work early in the morning, and soon had the bare walls of the building covered with a variety of evergreens and flowers, which gave the bazaar a very picturesque and pleasing appearance. The weather fortunately was fine, although at one time a few heavy rain drops fell, which somewhat alarmed some of the fair stall keepers, who were afraid the weather would detain intending purchasers, but the sun soon shone out again in all his splendour, and their doubts were dispelled. Those supplying stalls were early on the scene, and by eleven o'clock the room presented a very pretty appearance, the stalls being well covered with a most miscellaneous collection of articles both useful and ornamental. During the morning the business done did not amount to very much, but as the afternoon drew on, the room. was completely crowded, and continued so until nearly the time of closing, 11.30 p.m., indeed, at one time in the evening, visitors found great difficulty in moving from one part of the room to another in consequence of the crowd. On entering by the front the visitor came upon Messrs J. and A. Wallace's stall of confectionery, consisting of the usual sweets as well as drink of a temperance character. Arranged along the west side of the room was a large stall, under the superintendence of Mrs Bull, upon •which was exhibited an almost endless variety of articles, from a suit of gentleman's clothes to photographs of gentlemen's faces, and including all the fancy and useful things common at bazaars. The lady president and her assistants, Mrs Steggall, and the Misses Pattrick, Dixon, Howard, and Boyle, appeared to be doing a good trade, and the result proves that such was the case, as more money was taken at this stall than at either of the others. On the opposite side of the room was a stall provided by Mrs Ellice, and here Mrs "Wilson and the Misses Foster, Blackett, Thompson, Allan, Neilson, and Josling were busily engaged in selling to their numerous customers, and the receipts at this stall show that they must have been very energeticindisposingof their wares. A toy stall was placed at the end of room, where the Misses Annie Patrick and Farrer did a roaring trade with the young folk, and parents who had children at home, A refreshment stall, under the superintendence of Mesdames Lucas and Ayers, who had for assistants the Misses S. A. Patrick and Skevington, was placed on the platform. where creature comforts were dispensed at all hours of the day and night, at exceedingly moderate charges. One corner of thi room was enclosed for a post office, and here during the evening, numerous loving and mirth-provoking epistles were issued, thi receivers being asked for only a small coii in payment of the postage. This depart ment was under the direction of Mr E. H Good, who was assisted by the Misses Stiff e The Amusement! were comprised in a gal

vanic battery, under the charge of Master Beecham Pattrick, and a novel and nondescrept puzzle, exhibited by Mr S. Ayers, which attracted a good deal of attention, and caused much speculation as to how it was worked. Thioughout the day the proceedings were enlivened by selections on the pianoforte, which were contributed by the Misses B. Josling, Pearce, and Boyle. Mr W. H. Foster acted as doorkeeper in an efficient manner. The proceeds of the bazaar amounted to £lO5, made up as follows:—By Mrs Bull's stall. £35 Us; Mrs BUice's, £32 13s 101; toys, £lO 16s sd; refreshments and confectionery, £9 15s 2d; door, £7 18s 4d; gift auction, £5 5s 4d: sundries, £2 16s lid. After the bazaar proper was over Mr Buss sold the remaining articles by auction, and succeeded in obtaining fair prices.