ALL SAINTS BABAAR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3776, 17 October 1907, Page 2

ALL SAINTS BABAAR.

The above bazaar was opened on Tuesday afternoon last by Mr John Stevens, member for the district. The weather was what one might term ' ‘ beastly, ’ ’ and prevented many from attending. However, despite this fact, a very representative gathering was present. The Rev. G. Young-Wood ward, in opening, said he felt it a great pleasure to announce that Mr Stevens would do them the honour of opening the bazaar, and mentioned the fact that this parish of All Saints Church was situated in one of the most important districts in Mr Stevens’ constituency, and that a large percentage of those residing in this portion of the electorate, were Church of England followers. It was a grand thing for Church and State to go hand-in-hand, as it wera. In having the privilege of Mr Stevens’ presence to open the bazaar, they had a two-fold blessing conferred upon them, in . that Mr Stevens was practically the father of the district as well as its political head. His interests were'thus'their interests. While being the people’s representative, Mr Stevens was not only interested in the people from a political point of view, but also, as he had told the speaker when in private conversation with him, believed in a Church-going and a God-fearing people, who always made good and reliable citizens. In effect, he quoted: “Hove brotherhood, fear God, and honour the King.’’ Their member, no doubt, was a very busy man, and therefore they owed him many thanks for being present on such an occasion. He (the speaker) then wished to take the opportunity of thanking all those who had come forward to help the church in promoting the bazaar. He particularly wished to thank the Ladies’ Guild and the Girls’ Guild for the good work thej r had done, and also the men of the parish who had given their assistance. He said he must mention in particular Mr Lewis Wilson, who had been steadfast, faithful, and hardworking, and had helped to pilot the bazaar to success. He .thought that if they had searched all over New Zealand, they could not have found a better or more worthy man. Great praise was due to the Manawatu Herald, which had shown every kindness in keeping the day’s function continually before the public eye, and thus had helped it towards success.

Mr Stevens said he took it as a great privilege as well as a great pleasure, to have the high honour conferred upon him of being asked to open this bazaar, which was not important merely because of the exhibits, but because it was a symbol of the duty which we owed to one another, as well as to a higher Power. It was pleasing to note how the ladies had come forward and had taken a place in the front rank by assisting to institute and maintain a discipline in society, which was as necessary as discipline in a military army. Discipline was necessary in every branch of life. However, it was not his role to teach, but he hoped the}" would agree with him that a large mead of praise was due to those ladies and gentlemen who found time to devote to the good of their countrj", etc. The general rule was to blame public people for the faults of others, but this was both unwise and unfair. A great many people thought contribution to the church was unnecessary and hard, but if they read a little history they would see that even today in some parts of England, a man who grew 10 sacks of wheat was compelled to give one as a tithe to the church whether he wished it or not. He was not referring to any particular sect or denomination. After pointing out the duty which every person owed to their church, irrespective of its denomination or form of worship, he directed attention to the young generation growing up in New Zealand at the present time. In his experience it was necessarj" that all young people should in the first place make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the Sacred Book of Laws which would help them to understand more fully the secular laws of the earth. He wished to compliment the promoters of the bazaar, especially the ladies, on the exhibits which they had provided, the excellence of which he had been credibly informed of, although he could not see them. The object of the bazaar was to provide funds for the repairing outwardly and the the decorating inwardly of their Church. The building in town in which sectarian laws were being administered, and to which some people had to go very unwillingly, had just been painted and repaired and it was therefore quite in keeping that the church, to which all should go voluntarily, should be as bright and attractive as the local Court House. He suggested that the children of the church should, under the supervision of their mothers, sisters, fathers etc., engage themselves in their spare time in making and cultivating little flower beds in front of. the church in order to beautify the approach thereto. Let them, devote say half an hour a day or half an hour a week to this task. He would be pleased to help them by donating half-a-guinea towards this work. (Applause). He then thanked and congratulated their very worthy minister, Mr Woodward, whose acquisition to Foxton was only recently made for the work he was doing. He believed that that gentleman’s sincere belief in his profession coupled with his humanitarian views would cause him to make no distinction between classes, but take great pleasure in going out among his people and treating them all

alike and leaching the children that there was no such thing as class distinction in the Church. He was sure that Mr Woodward, with the aid of his parishioners, would do a great deal of good in the locality and would benefit Foxton to a very great extent indeed. He then declared the bazaar open, wishing every success to the function, and health, wealth and prosperity to all those concerned. He also referred to the beautiful doll presented to the bazaar by Mr Geo. Coley. Mr W. S. Stewart, churchwarden, took occasion to thank Mr Stevens on behalf of All Saints, to whom he made eulogistic re ference, for his kindness in sacrificing so much of his time to open the bazaar. He concluded a happy speech by hoping that Mr Stevens’ shadow would never grow less. Mr Stevens suitably acknowledged the compliments paid him. Mr Frankland, a member of the vestry, referred to the good work being accomplished by their beloved vicar, and spoke in a verv praiseworthy manner of the excellent work carred out by the ladies, and hoped the bazaar would result in a substantial benefit to the Church.

Business then commenced, and the ladies lost no time by endeavoring to quit the goods in the stalls over which they presided. The following supervised the various stalls : —Gipsy tent, Maritana; Girls’ Guild Stall, Mrs Adams, Misses Adams and Hamer; produce stall, Misses C reswell; Christmas tree and brand tub, Mrs Barber, senr., and Miss Barber (Wellington) ; shooting gallery, Messrs F. Woods and Rand ; cycle stand, Messrs Fowler and Rough; flower stall, Mrs Jenks, assisted by Misses McMillan, Gray, Barnard Jenks ; sweets, Mrs C. Robinson, Misses Symons and Coley (2); Ladies’ Guild stall, Mesdames A. S. Easton and Barnard ; refreshments, Mesdames Hickson, O. Austin and Knowles. Mr W. Adams supervised the lottery box. Messrs McDonald and Murray ably assisted the secretary. The Secretary put in some very strenuous work. Mr Berthold’s orchestra rendered-selections at various intervals. Misses McMillan and Gray were very successful in disposing of tickets for raffles, etc. It would be almost impossible for us to mention the names of all who lent their assistance.

The takings for the first night from all sources was over which was increased kst night to upwards of

Great interest was centered in the drawing of the art union, the first prize falling to Mr F. D. Whibley, 2nd J. W. Rough, 3rd Mrs Berthold, 4th Mr Kirkley, sth W. White, 6th A. Jack, 7th J, Ransom, Bth F, A. Smith, 9th O. Robinson, 10th E. Anderson, xxth Miss B, Dudson, 12th R. J. Jeffery, 13th Mrs A, Shadbolt. Sheep guessing competition, weight x6olbs, Mrs A. S. Easton ■ who guessed lbs, F. W. Frankland 154 lbs 2nd and W. Gray 1651 b 3rd. The bean guessing competition was won by Mr W. S. Stewart 1009 (correct number 971). Other winners were :—Emma Alzsdorf, Mrs F. S. Easton, Mr Evans, Mr Morgan, Mr J. W. Rough, Mr W. Ashmore, Mr Eind, Mrs F. Easton, Miss Collins, Mr Gjedsted, Mrs Mandl, Mrs Barnard, E. Spelman, Mrs de Ridder, Mrs Ball, Mr G. Fowler, Rev Mr Woodward.

The committee desire to thank Messrs Stevens, F. Hasten, G. W. Morgan, G. Coley, and Mrs Jenks for donations,' and all others who assisted to make the affair a success, and particularly Mr A. S. Easton.