VOLUNTEER FANCY FAIR.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2230, 21 April 1881, Page 3

VOLUNTEER FANCY FAIR.

The Volunteer Fancy Fair in the Drillshed opened yesterday and proved a oomplete success, alike in a monetary and artistio point of view. The Drilsued was fitted up with a number of stalls filled with articles of all kinds, some useful, some ornamental, and some—well, purchasable at a low figure. The grounds outside had been also made attractive by the erection of shooting galleries, Aunt Sallys, and other devices for laying the unwary visitor under contribution. The bands, four in number, played during the afternoon and evening in a sort of enclosure near the front entrance, which had been improvised by placing the guns of the Artillery close up and having a rope circle. The bands playing were the Cavalry, Excelsior, Hamilton's, and the Railway, and they gave some really excellent music, all the selections being highly appreciated by the audience. On entering the building one is struck by the almost magical transformation which has taken place in the interior. The stalls of all kind not only looked attractive, from the variety of artioles upon them, but the general arrangements also of curtains, &c, added greatly to the effect. The stalls on each side of the entrance are ocoupied right and left by Mrs Baines and'Mrs Francis, and Mrs Hulbert. On the former is a capital assortment of gems of art, in the shape of pictures, books, &c, whilst the latter has a general stock of those articles known by the generic term of fancy goods. There is everything here, from Japanese parasols to bottles of thirst quenchers, though the gallant officer who was assisting did not, like Sir Joseph Porter, take kindly to them, but quenched his thirst in flowing beakers of Orowe's best in the 000 l shades of the refreshment room. The drapery stall was presided over by Mrs Deamer, Mrs Ooster having a very popular stall for toys and dolls, and Mrs Frinß, Mrs Nedwill and Mrs Palmer a fancy and variety establishment. Mrs Appleby did a thriving trade with her Easter tree, off of which the purchaser could select anything, figuratively speaking, from a needle to an anchor. Mrs Day's flower stall was one of the features of the Fair. Here were some lovely ferns, which were characterised by a romantic young lady as being "really too awfully nice, you know." This work formed quite an oasis as it were in the dazzling blaze of color, and many an unwary elf, straying in there, tempted by his aesthetic tastes, paid the penalty to the presiding goddess. But the stall of stalls was that presided over by Colonel Packe. Here were abnormally large vegetable marrows, pumpkins and tomatoes, game of all kinds, including pea fowl, dotterel!, &c, which were sold at ridiculously low prioes for a bazaar. Temperance drinks in the shape of raspberry vinegar of double and treble star strength were on tho table, but, strange to say, though the gallant proprietor urged their merits with as much persistency as was consistent with an official utterance, they did not appear to be appreciated. However, as the gallant Colonel has announced his intention of taking some of the oordials himself to-day, no doubt his heroio self-sacrifice will meet with its due reward. In addition to what may be called the main body of stall-keepers, there was a host of guerilla warriors in the shape of young ladies, whose eloquence on the matter of cushions and dolls it would take a heart of stone to resist. At the far end, Mrs Packe and Mrs Anson had a most tempting array of viands, where one could lunch a la carte for Is 6d. A goodly sum was taken yesterday, and no doubt the bazaar will be well patronised to-day, when it will be open till 10 p.m.