The Bazaar.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 23 April 1891, Page 2

The Bazaar.

+ OPENING CEREMONY. On Tuesday afternoon the Bazaar, for which the ladies of the Primitive . Methodist connection having been working so hard, for so long, was opened with most commendable punctuality. The doors opened at two, and but a few minutes afterwards Mr Gower stepped forward and said that he desired to introduce Mr Wilson, the Mayor of the Borough to them, who had attended to formally open the Bazaar. He would explain, previous to Mr Wilson performing his office, that the purpose ot the bazaar was to reduce the present debt on the Churoh, which stood at £150. The ladies had been long working for it, and now the time was come to make the supreme effort. They all believed in succeeding in anything they undertook, and they must look for nothing short of it. The Methodist body was small, but its purposes were great. The different Church bodies had been likened to the rooms in a house, the Church of England was the drawingroom, the Presbyterian the diningroom, and the Methodists were the kitchen. However, in this kitchen they were noted for always keeping a good fire on, and were always able to extend a warm welcome to all. (Applause.) He then called upon Mr Wilson, who said that as Mayor of the Borough he had been requested to open this bazaar, and he had much pleasure, besides feeling it an honour, to do so. He had very warm sympathies with all branches of the Church, though he was not a member of their particular body. He believed in the principles of Christian teaching being carefully nursed, and holding the view that we werp on the eve of a social revolution, lie felt they must look to the Church .to keep the people in the right instead of the wrong way. He might be wrong, probably he was, but he had always looked upon such efforts being required, as they were now making, as being wrong, for he thought Church members should npt have allowed matters to reach the stage where such special efforts were required. However, he had said he might be singular in this opinion. He hoped the bazaar would prove a financial success, which he believed it would be made, by the efforts of the fair stall-holders, and he now declared the bazaar opened. (Applause.) Mr Raine called for a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding, and thanked him for coming with such a willing heart and hand. He trusted that the warm-heartedness between the sects might long continue. (Loud applause.) The Choir then very excellently sang "The Song of the Soldier," Miss Newth presiding at the organ. THE HALL. The appearance of the hall was very attractive, as opposite the entrance, in the centre, was a stand of cut blossoms of chrysanthemums, most tastefully arranged by Miss Gower. Two handsome fern trees marked each end of this exhibit. On the left of the entrance was the refreshment stall, most temptingly laid out, and under the charge of Mrs Newth and her three daughters. On the right of the entrance was the exhibit of vegetables which had been given by friends for sale. Adjoining this was the shooting-gallery under the charge of Mr J. Walsh, who had an automatic electric battery also under his supervision. Up the sides of the hall were interruptions such as the Fairy well, superintended by the Misses Spring and Gray; the children's counter, managed by the Misses N. Newth and L. Austin ; the Easter tree, in charge of Mrs Simpson; the bran tub, looked after by Misses M. McLean and M. Austin. At the end of the hall, at either corner, backing onto the stage, were the chief positions, being the two stalls for the sale of work. One was presided over by Mrs Walsh, the energetic honorary secretary of the bazaar, and Mrs Austin, assisted by the Misses Austin and Newth. The other stall had Mesdames Gibson and McLean as chiefs, with the Misses McCulloch, Carkeek and Gibson to assist. In one of the rooms off the stage a Fine Art Gallery was arranged, containing over fifty specimens. Mr Simpson acted as showman for this portion of the bazaar. The Choir, which gave a very fine selection of music, was formed by the following ladies and gentlemen. Organist, Miss Newth; leader, Mr E. Osborne ; Mesdames Walsh and Simpson, Misses F. and H. Austin, G. and W. Newth, Gibson, Spring, Baker and Howan ; Messrs Simpson, Westwood, Foster, McKay (2), Spring, Newth, Honore and Harwood. The bazaar closed last night, having been splendidly attended during the two days, and we are pleased to learn has resulted in a marked success, for which Mrs Walsh, the honorary secretary, and the ladiea and gentlemen who assisted her are to be thanked. The accounts are not yet made up, but a balance of over £80 is confidently looked for.