FANCY FAIR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1817, 17 November 1888, Page 2

FANCY FAIR.

The Fancy Fair in aid ot the Temukf Presbyterian Church was opened in the drilbhed last Thursday with ereat ceremony. The weather, although it threatened in the forenoon to be rather boisterous, was all that could be desired. but the attendance at the open'my ceremony was not so large as might have been expacted. The Committee certainly cannot blame themselves for this. They left nothing undone to secure complete success, in addition to other attractions they got a special train to run from Timaru, but this enterprise was not nearly so successful as might have been expected, 1 only 30 or 40 persons having come by it, notwithstanding the half holiday. However, there was a fair attendance of the people of Temuka, and a few from Geraldine and intervening districts, and on the whole the ceremony passed off it. a satisfactory manner. Shortly after 3 p.m., the Rev. Mr Dickson commenced the proceedings by stating that they had assembled together to open the fancy fair* Some few months ago members of the congregation took into consideration the means of getting rid of a debt that was oo the manse, and it was decided to have a balaar. The ladies went to woik with characteristic energy, and they were wel assisted by the gentlemen—and the result was fhe fancy fair which they were now about to inaugurate. Mr Gray, Mr Blyth, and other members of the Committee worked hard to make it a success. but it was greatly due to the energy of the ladies. Be would say no more now, but introduce to them Mr Rhodes, who had come all the way from Christehurch to perform the opening cenmony.

Mr Rhodes said :—" Mr Dickson, ladies, and gentlemen—lt was with much pleasure I received your invitation to come here to-day to open tbis baZ'ur. I regard it as not the least of my privilege* as member for this district that I shoul I be allowed to take a leading part in cere- | monies of this kind, especially when_ n confers on me the honor of addressing such a number of the ladies of South Canterbury. Any shortcomings in my remarks you must put r»own to the diffidence which a young bachelor naturally feels when addressing so many fair ladies. As you are no doubt all uware, the object of this bazaar is to raise funds for the extinction of the debt on the Presbyterian Church Manse in Temuka. I am not myself a member of your Church—l am a member of the Episcopalian Church of New Zealand—but this does not prevent ine being a well-wisher of your Church ; and, in point of fact, tho differences between our Churches in New Zealand are not so very great. It is not for me to speak on questions of doctrine, on which there are, no doubt, stid many minor points of difference; but the Episcopalian Church in this colony, by admitting the laity to »uch a large share of the government of the Church, has, I think, wisely copied the Presbyterian model. We constantly hear assertion*

that this is a very sceptical or anttreligious age, and it is no doubt true that the opponents of religion haye beeu extremely active during the present generation—but it is etill more true that the defenders of raligion have never been more energetic than at the present time. The very faofc that there is so much sceptism is a proof of the intense interest io religious matter?. One satisfactory result of this controversy is that the different Christian Churches are seeing the neoessityof working together for their

common object. The Churches are agree, ing to put out of sight as much as possible their minor differences, «nd are more and more disposed to unite together in the crusade against evil. For example, the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand has not kept up the divisions which exist in Scotland—the home of Presbyterianism. The Christian Churches in this country are on the same level, ;•& we have no privileged State Church. It iB absolutely necessary that the churches if they are to retain their hold upon th« masses of the people should, like their Founder, take a deep interest in all questions affecting the welfare and social condition of the poor,nnd I amglad to think thai they are not neglecting their duty io this respect. It is certainly time to oppo-e Christian socialism to infidel socialism. The legisture, whose duty it is as far as laws can do so to improve the sooid condition of the people, must of necessity rely to a great extent on the practical assistance of the various churches to aid in this work in a way which is beyond the province of Acts of Parliament, and I may add that the fact that we have in New Zealand a secular system of State Education throws upon the churches great responsibility in providing for the religious education of the young. All these considerations therefore necessitate that the churches should have the earnest nn I practical support of all Christians, acd the support of which the Presbyterian Chun-h at Temuka is at present greatly in need i monetary support. The ladies of Temuka have been devoting their time for months past to the manufacture of the numberless beautiful an 3 useful articles we sse on th* various stalls in this h«ll. I think 1 shall be best doing my duty by bringing my remarks to a close, feeling sure that your own sense of the excellence of the objects for which the bazaar is given, the intruisic worth of the articles for sile, and the persuasive eloquenee of the ladies, besides the improved prospects of the district, will cause you to open your purse strings, and I hope clear your church from debt. I now have moch pleasure in formally 1 declaring the bazaar open. The Rev. Geo. Barclay was glad to be present for iaany reasons, He was glad to witness the ceremony of opening the bazaar performed by his youog friend. He knew Mr Rhodes when he was a boy. He knew him when be played at the other side of the fence—and he could say that he was always a well-disposed boy ; and, though he was now in Parliament, he believed no greater honor bad been conferred on him than to be asked to open the bazaar. He understood they were

not in New gaaland now, but they had been transported to Italy—in fact, in the Piazza Delis Signoria, in Florence. Ho had not seen the place, but he mußt say it must be a very fine city if it was half sa fine as the scene before them. He approved of the object of the gathering. He did not think that debt was always an evil. If a man borrowed money at 10 per cent., and made ten per cent, out of it, both borrower and lender wer« benefited ; but it whs not so profitable for a Church to borrow, It, was not borrowed by the Church Committee for financial,

purposes, and it waR often found difficult to pay the interest on it. The first church was built on the same principle People brought their subscriptions, and the greatest diiierence between what occurred then and now was that the contributions in those days went into the Church, while now the contributions were sold to pay off the debt. The spectacle presented that day exhibited greut liberality and zeal, but he thought the funds for the building cf churches ought to be given more spontaneously and with less pressure. But that was not the time to criticise such subjects, and he thought that he would best consult their wishes by bringing his remarks to e close. He hoped tbey would have every success, and that that wonderful quilt of theirs would realise their expectations. He hoped that it would be won by Mr DicksoD, and that under its soothing influence he would have pleasant dreams. (Applause.) The Kev. Mr White said he was glad to see them having such a nice show, and hoped they would have every success with their enterprise. Mr Gray then moved a hearty vole of thanks to Mr Rhodes for opening the bazaar, and, tbis having been carried by acclamation the bazaar was open.

THE SfALIS. In our last issue we gave a short description of the decoratioae and the internal arrangements generally, but as all details had not been attended to then it is necessary for us to refer again to them. All the arrangements seemed to tend to the attainment of one object—that was to make the hall look as nearly as possible like a street in Florence called the Pia«z» Delia Signoria. Inpursuanca'of this object the side-walls of the hall were scrimraed and papered in snch a way aB present pictures of houses. Iu front of each house was a verandah. These verandahs farmed stalls, and under them were the tables on which goods were laid. A. few feet in front of the verandahs raa up rows of trees on either side, and in avenue between were seats for visitorsilp sit on. At the end next to the Volunteer Hall was the n freshi-ient stall, and at the other end of the shed the shooting gallery, ihe g'psy tent, the lady of the lake, the bran pie, and the post office. Besides the rows of trees in front of the stalls greeo foliage was to be seen io every corner, flags hung from the ceilings, comic pictures deoorated several places, and when the Chinese lanterns in the trees were lit up at night the scene was picturesque and pleasing to behold. Turning to the left, the first stall met with was one in charge of Mm Matthews and Mrs Gaze, assisted by Misses Bourne, Dunlop, Stewart (2), and Austin. On tbis stall were several splendid articUs, amongst which was a footstool and a cushion to match, vrorkedin Berlin wool on plush in a very artistic manner by Miss I Austin. Two pin-cushions in silk and plush, 'on which were violets beautifully poonah painted, by Miss Dunlop, a crazy-work cushion by Miss Stewart, and leather-work candlestick stands and brackets by Miss Matthews, set off a very large variety; of useful and interesting articles, with which the i»tall was stocked. The neigh* boring stall was in charge of Mrs Taylor, assisted by Misses Blyth, McJullough, McCallura, Montgomery, and Wilson, and the first article in it to attract attention was a poonab-paintpd cushion (of white velvet), on which a damask rose was splendidly painted. This was worked by Mrs McMeckin, of Timaru, for Mrs GL Talbot, who presented it to the bazaW. Another cushion of similar material, with, fern leaves and lilies painted in the sarn^

style, by Miss Dunn, of was very handsome, nnd a diminutive chest of drawers, made by Mr Bowman, attracted a good deal of attention. A beautiful mantle drape of white satin, on which the rose, shamrock, knd thistle were poonab-painted, by Miss Quinn, aet off the front of the stall well, and, with the large stock of other articles, it made a very presentable appearance. The flower stall, which came next, was in charge of Miss Bowman, assisted by her sister and Misses Mendelson (2), and Pearpoint. On this was a magnificent display of ferns and flowers, which were arranged with a good deal of taste. Across the end of the hall ran a refreshment table, over which Mrs Paterson presided. She was assisted by Mrs Thompson and Misses Stewart and Clyne (2). This was slocked with most inviting viands. Miss Hny'a stall came next. It wao presided over by Miss Hay herself, assisted by her sister (MiBS Agnes Hay) and Misses Lough and McAulsy, from Timaru. The roost interesting article io this stall was a baby's robe, made by Mrs A. Frew. It was trimmed with crochet work, and, besides beiDg extremely beautiful, it showed that immense amount of labor and skill had been expended on it. A splasher, on, which sprays of climatfs were oil-painted, by Miss Mary Paterson, was also well executed. A patchwork rug by M'ss--Patsrson, and a perforated felt mantle 1 drape, dona in Italian and by Miss Hay, were articles of merit. Besides these, the stall was crowded with the usual articles ti be seen •t bazaars. Mrs McCaskill and Mrs Mogridge officiated at tlie next stall, and were assisted by Misses Russell, Longson, Ackroyd, and Cox. The work done by Miss Ackroyd formed the chief features of this stall. She had there a footstool exactly similar to the one described afc Mis? Matthews' stall, two crazy-work cushions, and one crewel-worked —all" splendidly done. A gypsy table, with a beautiful macrarr-e* drape, stood there tc the credit of Miss Russell, and a handsome fire-screen, made by Mr J. Russell was another interesting contribution, A card fan by Mies Woodharu, a fev brackets, and an immense stock of babr and feminine attire made np this stall The next stall was a bachelors' impromti enterprise. For the sake of uniformity i sixth stall was erected, but provision bac not been made for anyone taking chargi of it. It was then decided to make it t bachelors' stall, and for a time it w« taken charge of by Mr F. K. GrayAbit subsequently it fell to the lot of Mipfa Cain and Winning. On this stall we caroi

across the famous quilt on which so mud labor sod attention has been expended and from which ao much i'b expected, i W is hardly necewary to give any desciiplioj as most people have already seeu it, o* at any rae», parts of it. The outer coy* is made up of little squares, and these ae backed by what appearß lo be an ordinsy down quilt, On each square are world the names of those who toward* ii, and it altogether mukes u' a peculiar*lookiog urtiole. Later on in.lie day il was removed from the bache>ra L stall, and bung up for public inspe-ion

in a conspicuous part of tbt. ha". On this stall, too, was a very handsome table-top and a fire-screen, which were the woik of the Rev. Mr Dkksoci.

The shooting gdlery whs {.resided over by Mr J. Guild and Mr W. Cooper, tinbran pie by the Misses Philips, and Misses Ellis and Maggie Russell weru the ladies of the lake. This was novel, interesting. and withal simple. A large trough full of water was the lake.? Over half tin trough a tent was built, and a litt'e bo-1. worked by means of brings, flo .ted in and out of this ten'. When one desimd lo invest money in this enterprise he gave it to Miss Ellis, who stood by. Mis< Ellis then rang a bell and the little would disappear, and shortly afterward.returned loaded with a toy of some kmd or another. This was largely patronised by the rising generation. Mrs Copestake officiated »s chief postmaster, Mid had as assistants Misses Maggie Austin and Miss R. Goodey, and this completed the money-nanking institutions in the Piazxa Delia Signoria. The attendance during the afternoon was not large, but in the evening the place was well tilled, and business appeared to be very brisk. THE EHIEETAINMENT. At 8 p.m. an entertainment was held in the Volunteer Hall, the entrance to which was from the drillshed. At thin , there was a good attendance, and the entertainment was really capital. Songs were contributed by Misses Dunlop and Andrews, of Gerafdine, and trios by Misses and Mapter Toshach, of Timaru. The singing was capital, but Mr H. T. Clinch, with his song "The Art of Photography," brought down tha house, and had to sing " John, the Masher," as an encore. The farce " Turn him out" proved very amusing, and excited the risibilities of the audiencß to a considerable extent. In this a wife, whose husband is absent, is followed home and persecuted by a heavy masher, and she employs a toy-seller to turn him out. While the toy-seller is waiting for the masher lo make his appearance the husband enters the room. The toy-seller, who baa not seen either the husband or the masher, believes the husband to be the man he is required to turn out, and commences violent operations on him without delay. The mistake supplies amusement to the end. The parts of the wife and her maid were filled by the Mißses Goodey. Mr Sim was the toyseller, Mr btorey the masher, and Mr Chapman the husband, and all of them performed their parts excellently. YESTERDAY. The hall was opened at 3 p.m., but the attendance wan not large until the evening, when there was a large number present, and apparently good business wis done. At 9 p.m. a concert was hell, when the following programme was through :—Song, " The Maid of the Mill,' Mr Martin; song, "Live and Die for me," Mr Rose; song, " Wae's me for Prince Charlie,'' Mrs Stubbs; eong, "Old Brigade," Dr Reid ; duat, "The Crookit Bawbee," Mian Dunlop and Mr Aitken ; eong, "Three Young Men of Ware," Mrs Stubbs; violin solo, "Selection from Ernani," Mr Morris—encore, a " Serenade " ; song, "Three Sailor Boys," Dr Reid; song, "Plymouth Sound," Mr Rose; song, "The Miller and the Maid," Miss Ladbrooke; recitation, "The Two Valentines," Mr Aitkeu ; song, " The Highlander's Toast," Mr Martin. The singing was really excellent, and almost all the singers were encored, but did not respond. Mr Morris, accompanied by Mr S. Wolfe, who also accompanied the singing, played superbly and was a treat to listen to. Mr Aitken|a recitation was delightful, and he recited it it in a most finished manner. We do not remember seeing anything in the wav of a recitation that came nearer our ideal of perfection. On the whole the entertainment was capital. We direct attention to the advertisement which appears elsewhere, and which sets forth the atlractions for this afternoon. The bazaar will open at 3 p.m. end the famous quilt will be raffled at 9 p.m.