BAZAAR IN AID OF THE CONVENT FUNDS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1502, 9 December 1878, Page 2

BAZAAR IN AID OF THE CONVENT FUNDS.

A bazaar in aid of the funds of the Christchurch Convent was opened this afternoon at the Oddfellows’ Hall, the more especial and immediate object being to raise money to pay off the debt lately contracted in the erection of an iron fence around the convent, a necessity which had long been most apparent. Any surplus that may be found remaining after the bazaar will go towards the general funds of the convent, and will, it is needless to say, be most welcome; for the Sisters of Mercy in Christchurch, as in other places, always have their hands full of good and charitable works —more particularly at this season of the year, when Christmas is approaching, and there are so many channels for their kindly assistance to flow into. The bazaar in question was organised by a number of gentlemen belonging to the church, and the idea was no sooner mooted than it was taken up by the ladies with alacrity, and the result is the bazaar opened at two o’clock to-day, promises to be [as successful as any gathering of the kind ever held in Christchurch. Certainly if it is not, the fault will not lie with the ladies who have so kindly given their time and money with that intent. However, there can be no doubt that, judging from the attendance up to the present time the most sanguine hopes of the promoters will be fully realised. As a rule the description cf one bazaar is hut the repetition of the description of another, but in the present instance the bazaar is worthy of more than passing notice, for we do not remember to have seen a more varied valuable and useful collection of articles on anyone occasion than is here displayed. Instead of there being any scarcity there is a perfect plethora of fancy and other goods; and the various stalls are fully and tastefully loaded with exhibits, which are rapidly changing hands. The variety of articles may be imagined when it is mentioned that a selection may be made from a child’s rattle to a chest of drawers, or an easy chair handsomely worked to a Chinese lantern. Perhaps the most beautiful exhibit of the whole collection is an aliar screen of satin, embroidered with bullion fringe, and tassals, with the Lamb in the centre, worked in gold. This valuable religious article is the work of the Sisters of Mercy with whom it must indeed have been a labor of love. Some of the other things that might be mentioned are a monster Christmas tree, a wax bride and bridesmaid, wax flowers and fruits under shades, live canaries, pot plants direct from the nursery, desks, vases, workboxes, fenders, stoves, ottomans, musical clocks, fire screens, picture frames in leather, and in fact articles of such a miscellaneous character that it would be impossible in the space at our command to mention even a tithe of them. There are altogether eight stalls, including one for refreshments, all of which are tastefully fitted up and decorated above, while they are most profusely loaded with articles of the character already referred to. They were to-day presided over by the following ladies : —Mrs H. J. White and Mrs Q-eorge White ; Mrs Brown and Mrs Burns ; “ The Children of Mary” (being a society in connection with the Convent), Mrs Courtney and Miss Nelson, Mrs Fitzgibbon and Mrs McGarva ; Mrs Cutts and Miss Bradley ; Mrs Holly and Miss Campbell, assisted by the Misses Donelly, and Mrs Loughnan and the Misses Loughnan, This evening in addition to the interest of the bazaar pure and simple, there will be other attractions added, in the shape of a miscellaneous concert of vocal and instrumental music, including selections by the brass band, pianoforte solos, chorusses, &c.; and as considerable pains have been taken with this part of the programme it will no doubt be a great success. It is to be hoped, for the sake of the object sought to be attained, that there will be a large attendance.