THE TEMPERANCE BAZAAR.

Southland Times, Issue 1105, 6 August 1869, Page 5

THE TEMPERANCE BAZAAR.

The Temperance Bazaar, held at the Exchange j Buildings on Monday and Tuesday last, 26th and 27th July, has been a most successful affair. Considering the long prevalent dulness, it is really surprising how funds can still be raised when a vigorous effort is made, or wben the causa is one which recommends itself to the liberality of the public. It is a very common practice at these fancy fa'rs to charge erorbitant pric •-• for comparatively worthless articles. The victims generally being gentlemen who find it impossible to resist the importunities of the fair vendors, and submit therefore with the best possible grace to the flescmg process. On this occasion, however, it is but common justice to say that the greater portion of the goods offered for sale were of a thoroughly useful character, and were marked at prices which could not be considered extortion ate. The staUs, 7orß in number, were attended by the following ladies, viz. : — Mesdamcs Stobo, Bunn, Trew, Crouch, Bonthrun. {Hay, Hunter, Hall, Watson, and Dunlop, and Misses Brown (2), E i 3 ht (2), M'L«od, (2), Peters, Martm, Burnett, Edgar, Taylor, Wcods (2), and Twinning, la the eveniog, when lighted up, tbe appearance of the spacious room was very pleasing. The decorations on the w&Hs were most artistic and effective, and, owing to the judicious a -rangement of the tables, the greater portion of the floor was available as a promenade, of which the public seemed to take the full benefit. The sfcrje was partly occupied by a piano, wh ; ch, under the nimble finders of numerous amabeu -s, gave] fo:<th an almost uninterrupted stream of sweet sou ads. From a pecuniary point of view, we fancy, the promoters of the Basaar must be h'gbly satisfied with the result. On the first day, between £S0 and £90 were taken, from all sources, and on the second day an equp'. sum was taken, making a total of about £180. One " source of revenue," the Post-office, we must not omit to mention — having good reason to remember it. This was a ver; sms'l space enclosed with flags, at the corner of the stage ' but notwithstanding the narrow Hnrits ofjjthe department, it eeemed the focus of a vast amount of correspondence. The official — girls of course — conductsd their postal ai/a*7gements on a plan that would have suited Handy Andy exactly. Anyone , who ):ked— and a good many who didn't — coed get any number of letters for the trifl'ng consideration of one shilling each. It would be impossible to give anything like a description of the many article which attracted particular notice. Two things, however, were worthy of special remark. One, a very bandeo ne " Tidy" in colored wools, beautifully knitted by a blind lady in Edinburgh ; the other, an o?\ painting, a man's head, from life, by Mr S. Morton, of this town, and forming his contribution to the Bszaar. Compared with his first attempts this picture skows what may be effected by close application and study. In the "Head of Achilles" there are many points of genuine excellence, which } indicate the existence of talents only requiring cultivation to place their possessor in a very good position with regard to his favorite art. Those articles left unsold are, we believe, to bo stowed away till the opening of the proposed hall, when, further contributions | having meantime been levied, a st jond Bazaar will be held. On the following Thursday evaninj, 29th, a Soiree in celebration of the Third Anniversary of the Temperance Society, was held, which was ! very largely attended and passed off most pleasantly. After tea — which was provided in ample profusion by Mr Tulloch, accompanied by the usual substantial and delicate etceteras — the particular business of the meeting was begun by the President, Mr &. S. Crouch, being voted to the chair. Having taken his seat, and stated in general terms the objects of the view, and his delight at meeting co large a company under such favorable circumstances— circumstances which contrasted most pleasantly with the obscure and depressi ng conditions attending the inauguration of the society — the Chairman called upon the i Secretary, Mr D. Bonthron, to read the annual report. The report showed the society to be steadily progressing, and to have already reached

a position of considerable influences it also spoke most hopefully of the future, as it was felt that the efforts just made, the bazaar, had given it an impetus and power, in the shape of funds, which otherwise might not have been achieved for years. In speaking of the very liberal support which had been given to the society by the public generally, whether as contributors to the bazaar, or as purchasers at it, or both, the report made special reference to the hearty manner with which the^friends at home, principally in Edinburgh, | had responded to the request for a little assist- | ance. Particular mention was made of Mrs Kirk, wife of Professor Kirk, of the Evangelical Union Church, Edinburgh, who had espoused the cause , of the Society when brought to her notice with great zeal, and, as was shown by the contributions received through her hands, with much success. As a matter of course, the report admitted that the success of the whole affair was due principally i to the sympathy and cordial co-operation of the ' ladies who had taken the matter in hand. The report was afterwards adopted unanimously. Mr Jabez Hay, Treasurer, next gave a statement of i the financial affairs of the Society, which was satisfactory. The table possessing most interest, however, was that giving the proceeds of the various stalls at the Bazaar, the total being the sum tbove stated, and the net proceeds, after deducting all expenses, being £137 8s lOd. The [ meeting was afterwards addressed by Messrs Bunn, Irvine, and Burns. The Eev. Mr Stobo was present during the earlier part of the evening, and was to have given an address, but had to leave on more important business. After the speeches, the singing of one or two songs, and some piano music, the opportunity was improved by Mr H. E. Osborne being requested to submit some of the remaining articles to auction. Of course Mr Osborne complied, and the sale was the occasion of much fun, which was kept up until most of the lots were cleared off, and the time had arrived for going home.