BAZAAR AT PATETONGA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4345, 21 November 1921, Page 2

BAZAAR AT PATETONGA.

FIRST FUNCTION IN NEW HALL. TAKINGS ESTIMATED AT £3OO. To celebrate the occasion of the completion of the new hall at Patetonga, the settlers of that district had thought it fit to hold a huge bazaar as the opening function, and inciden* s tally to help .to defray' expenses of purchase and erection. The whole proceedings, which extended over a period of two days, were on an extensive scale and the pronounced, success of the venture was a fitting “baptism” for the new hall. Mr F. Mayn, chairman of committees, declaring the bazaar officially open on Friday morning, extended a hearty welcome to the visitors. The interior of the hall had been tastefully decorated with flags and a . liberal display of. greenery, which most'y adorned the various stalls. The stall-holders had every reason to be proud of the counters undpr their charge, as it was evident that much time and .trouble had been spent in titivating the stalls, and .also in the preliminary work of making, purchasing, borrowing or “cadging” the articles for sale. Though nearly all taste.? were catered for, the' otherwise perfect display lacked in one particular and that was the absence of a flower stall, .which would have undoubtedly added an extra touch of beaut y to the appearance of the hall’s interior.

The fancy stall was neat in appearance, containing many valuable and beautiful articles, and was in charge of Mesdames Neilson, Longley, and Costello. The jumble stair was also attractive and required the attention of Mesdames Pollen, Lindsay, and Heinemann. The ever popular sweets stall had behind it Mesdames Phillipps and Taylor, while the sellers of soft drinks .and produce were Mrs Pullman, Messrs ■ Byrne and Woodyard. The essential refreshments were daintily served by Mesdames' darken, Reid, Smedley, Woodyard, and Miss O’Connor. Of course the bran tub for the younger folk was indispensable and Mrs and Miss Pullman were efficient in that department. 'A novel. departure from the ordinary proceedings was the installation of a fortune-teller in the person of Miss Callwell, and a shooting gallery in charge of Mr Christie provided recreation and competition for both good and indifferent marksmen, THE COMPETITIONS. Though the canvassers for guessing competitions are considered pests, that particular line invariably proves to be a good source of revenue, and quite a number of these competitions were in progress, throughout botn days. Strange to relate, the winners of some articles pf ladies’ apparel proved to be of .the opposite sex, for instance, a nightdress was won by a person who in the'ordinary course of events would wear pyjamas during his beauty sleep. The winners of Friday’s competitions were > Table-centre, No. 13, Miss G. Downs; daffodil cushion, No. 14, Mr J. J. Cotter; lady’s trouseau, No. 20, Mr M. Sexton; lady’s hat, 100, Mr M. Wallace ; lady’s nightdress, No. 63, Mrs Hendron; Christmas cake, No. 70, Mrs D. Hunter; bridle and bit, No. 71, Mr F. Tapper ; Lady’s jumper, No. 30, Mrs D. Hunter; doll’s pram, No. 87, Mrs Davis ; pink nightdress, No. 31, Mr F. Hall; silver cake dish, No. 16. Mrs.Neilson.

THE FINANCES. As a result of the two days’ business it is estimated that the total assets will be £3OO, which, with about £2OO already in hand, makes approximately £5OO for the purposes of helping to pay off the hall debt of about £l5OO. The success of the bazaar is due to all who helped in the venture, those who attended to make sundry -purchases, but particularly to those more intimately connected with the organ-' isation work, the follownig perhaps deserving particular mention: Miss Holden (secretary), Mrs Patterson (chairman of committee), Mr Tapper ' (treasurer), and Mr Mayn (chairman of committees). FRIDAY’S DANCE. On the Friday evening a short concert followed by dancing proved a good source of enjoyment for the younger bazaar patrons. The floor had been well polished, and was an even dancing surface, while good music was rendered by an orchestra from Morrinsville. Mr S. Appleby was M.C. , • '

Items for the concert were rendered by Mrs Boyd (songs), Misses Hilda and Nora Costello (poppy dance and Irish jig), Mr Williams (comic spng), Mr Higgins (Recitations), Mr M. Wallace (song), and Mi- Tizard (violin solo).