ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH GIFT AUCTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 9425, 1 July 1882, Page 3

ST. SAVIOUR’S CHURCH GIFT AUCTION.

The gift auction in aid of the fund for paying off the debt on the St Saviour’s Church Parsonage, after having been adjourned from a previous date owing to bad weather, came off last Thursday in the Volunteer Hall, and was very successful. A sale of some gifts in the shape of wheat, trees, fowls, sheep, pigs, etc., was hold at 11 o’clock in the day by Mr K. F. Gray, in his auction room, all of which were disposed of at very satisfactory prices. The whole of the gift auction realised between £7O and £BO which.is about half the amount of the debt on the parsonage. The gift auction was opened at 2 p.m. in the Volunteer Hall when its interior pre* sented a very busy scene, the many contributors being engaged in arranging their gifts. It would be impossible to give a detailed account of every item that helped to make up a very good selection, but there were some things deserving of special attention. Amongst these were the articles presented by Mr Cox, all of which were his own work. They consisted of several representations of fern leaves and flowers drawn on paper in a most artistic manner, and some on varnished pieces of boards. The Lord’s Prayer printed on pieces of board amidst wreaths of flowers and fern leaves by the same gentleman was not the least noticeable thing there. His decoration of the Hall were also artistic and unique. A tablet over the stage bore the following words “The Earth ia the Lord’s,” the letters being made with oats pasted on, and underneath were the words “ Gift Auction,” made with rice pasted on in a similar manner, and borders of laurel leaves, set off botii tablets very effectively. Two brackets ornamented by flowers, the hand work and contribution of a lady over seventy years of age, were very neat. Perhaps the most valuable gift of all was that given by Mr Wheelband. It consisted of a large number of fine young trees of various kinds, which were bought at good priees. Some pictures the work of Miss Pilbrow, Ur Campbell and others were very good, and realised good prices. Besides these there was aninnuraerable supply of little articles comprising children’s dresses, fancy goods, otc., contributed by the ladies of the parish. At seven o’clock Mr Gray commenced to sell everything off by auction, when a large crowd assembled and good prices were realised, some people returntheir purchases, and putting them up again for the good of the Church. Mr J. M. OUivier was the first to initiate this way of doing business, and there can be no doubt that he helped the auction a good deal by his spirited bidding for almost every article, as well as by infusing life and spirit into those present with his drolleries. On the whole the sale was a success, and we are glad to learn that the return from it was so satisfactory. The untiring and energetic manner in which the auctioneer worked con amove was deserving of praise, and recognition. A good deal of dissatisfaction and disappointment was felt at the dance which was intended to be held after the auction sale being prevented by the owner of the piano that was in the hall at the time objecting to dance music being played on it on religious grounds. Those who went to the hall with the intention of enjoying a whirl on the light fantastic will, no doubt, remember him in their prayers. Some of those present offered to bring their pianos to the hall, but as it was late it was decided not to go to the trouble.