OPUNAKE CATHOLIC BAZAAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1917, Page 3

OPUNAKE CATHOLIC BAZAAR.

A SUCCESSFUL OPENING. For several months past the Catholics resident in Opunake and tlie surrounding district have been energetically working with the object of holding a bazaar j for the purpose of increasing the fund ; for the erection of a new church in Opunake, as the present church is now found to be inadequate to the needs of the increasing congregation of a progressive district. The results of their labor and handiwork are to bo sepn in the wellstocked stalls of the well organised bazaar, which was opened in the Opunake 'fown Hall yesterday afternoon, and will Be continued throughout the week, until, Friday, when it will conclude with a j social. The visitors, of whom there was' quite n large number, will find plenty of good things to select from, and will also find a be.vy of busy stall holders anxious 1 to assist them in their selection, and it; will not be the fault of the latter if the bazaar is not a success. There arc guessing competitions for various useful and ornamental articles too numerous to mention, in charge of energetic young ladies who are vicing with each other in getting their lists full. The flower girls also were busy. A feature is the refreshment room, "where Mssdames W. S. Dudley, C. H. Hodgson, M. Fennell and Miss K. O'Brien dispense afternoon tea and supper. The various stall holders are: Plain and fancy needlework, Mesdames M. J. Brennan, C. Callaghan, M. Brophy and A. C. Waishe; produce, Mesdames A. O'Brien, M. Hickey and S. Julian; sweets stall, Mrs E. c". Robinson, Misses de Castro and Mcßeynolds. The local Hibernians have arranged number of side shows, including shooting gallery, etc. A series of entertainments have also been organised, at which the best of local and outside talent will assist. The committee, of which Father Doolaghty is chairman snd Mr. J. E. Hickey secretary, certainly deserve credit for the organisation of the bazaar, and if they are given a fair measure of support, as Is certain to be the case, a considerable sum should be raised. The bazaar was opened in a brief speech by Mr. M. Fleming, chairman of the Egmont County Council. Father Doolaghty also expressed his pleasure at seeing so many present to assist in securing fundi toy tho erection of the church which w#s needed so much. Unfortunately at present they were engaged in a just war at which so many of the boys from the district were assisting in the cause of liberty. He hoped that the war would be ended in a short time, and that a lasting peace would bo proclaimed. Plight was sure to succeed in the end. Some people, he said, might, criticise them for holding the bazaar at this time, but he pointed out that the worship of God came before everything else, and it was only proper that they should provide a place suitable for the worship of God, who would assuredly see that the rigl't succeeded.