GARRISON BAND BAZAAR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8071, 29 March 1906, Page 2

GARRISON BAND BAZAAR.

THE OPEN IN<i NIGHT. "All the world and his wile" seemed to hare turned out on Wednesday night lo witness the torchlight procession which preceded live opening ot the Garrison Band Bazaar. The Band, heading the Tarauaki ltifles and Guards, inarched from the Drill Kali to the Post Office, playing the "Mount Egmoiit" march with splendid effect. There they were joined by the members o£ the New Plymouth Eire Brigade, mid representatives of the local Foresters, Druids, Rechubites, and Oddfellows. Tift procession then moved off down Devon-street, which was brilliantly illuminated by the flares of the firemen and the coloured lights which brightened the effect. The procession reached Eliot-street before a turn was made, and then hcaded'for the Theatre Royal. The whole of the arrangements were well planned and executed, except that, perhaps, the march took people rather far from the scene of the bazaar.

Entering the Theatro Royal, a gay | scene was presented. Around the bui'd ing were stalls, bright and gay with pretty cushions, paintings and other works of art, whilst richly polished and well-made furniture held a conspicuous place. There were stalls for refreshments aud ices, stalls for fancy goods, ' stalls for dolls, and for sweets and for flowers, and a "Waihi gold-mine" and'the usual brai-tub for people who would try their luck with small change. There was a panoramic and kiuematographic representation of various scenes in the life of Christ, well worth seaing. In the opposite corner was the Gipsy tent, where, for " crossing the palm with silver," patrons; were given a glimps; into the future. A telegraph office was kept in constant commission, and messages flashed to and fro, to say nothing of tho rapid, and evidently successful manner in which those in charge of raffles fastened to their prey. This, however, was not an objectionable feature, the canvassers being limited.

The bazaar was opened by Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R., in a neatly turned speech, in which he referred to tho evident pride of the New Plymouth people with regard to their Garrison Band, as shown by their readiness to help. He hoped the band would emergo triumphant from the big contest at Christchurch duriug the International Exhibition next year. Mrs E. M. Smith was presented with a very handsome ' bouquet. Mr Smith who was commendably brief, referred to the value and variety of the goods displayed for sale, and hoped good business would be done.

Then came a short, but very attractive and popular programme of fancy dancing and marching in brilliant costumes, the performers being pupils of Mrs Irene Connop, Miss May Clark contributed an excellent vocal solo. The stage effects were a big improvement on previous entertainments.

To-night there will be a change of programme, and some highly diverting contests will bc conductcl.