PAHIATUA BAZAAR.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9154, 30 July 1908, Page 7

PAHIATUA BAZAAR.

(Prom Our Own Correpsondsnt). The ''Fair and Bazaar" in aid of the fund for extinguishing the debt on the Pahiatua Drill Hall was •opened by the Mayor (Mr D. Crewe) cn Tuesday afternoon. The hall, ;3tails and stage were all draped in coloured cloth, mixed with eyerrgrcers, and presented an artistic picture in itself, attesting a high ' tribute to the Mayoress and her ■assistants in this department. Messrs Allan Campbell and J. VV. Sturton. Nor were the stalls in themselves less interesting or deserving of a special inspection. The first on the 'left was ar. "art and fancywork stall," presided over lw Mrs D. 'Crewe, assisted by Miss Allan. The fancy work wus very pretty, ■■some "poker work" by Misy Burgess, and an afternoon tea tray, covered in chip, by Mr Horace Polglaat, drew special attention. On the right was the "plain needlework" stall, under the charge of Mesdames Norrell and "Hawkins. The "flower plant" stand ■s,*4idgood busineps under the Misses Norrell and Hughes, assisted by numerous younger ones, who as- % siduously "button-holed" the male visitors. Another stall that did good business was that in charge of Misses Ethel Warren, Burgess (2), and Cobb. The Misses Dunning and Marie de /fjLfc had charge of the lolly stall, sSUsa Collins, the Christmas tree and bran tub, while the Misses Holmwood, Girlie Hughes, and Florrie Allan dispensed light refreshments in the tea kiosk. Mr BJtaett's band played several excellent selections, and the Pahiatua Choral Society, under the baton of Mr J. Burgesa, rendered two items entitled, "The Dawn of Day" and "Smiling Dawn," in a capable manner. Among other attractions was a nail-driving competition, prize being for a fancy work cushion. This was won by Miss Norrell. / —. During the evening the Mayor (Mr D. Crewe) addressed tho?e present, thanking the workers, visitors, and all who had contributed to the success of the fair. He said that when the matter of building the hall was first mooted the Government was approached for assistance, and the trust;es receiving a favourable reply, plans were drawn up, the estimated ' cost being £1,200. The late Mr Seddon hud promised a subsidy to - wards this amount of £ for £ raised locally up to £6OO, which had been granted, but the citizens and volunteers had not done their part, with •fie consequence that an overdraft ex stei o J £4OO, guaranteed by several citizens. The object of the present bazaar was to raise funds to pay the interest cn this money, and also further expenses which had been entailed in laying on the water and drainage—an amount of £73. The trustees hod made a charge of £l2 a year for the rental of the Hall to the Volunteers. The Mounted Rifles objected to this charge, and ask ad for a lease at £2 10s, which the trustees could not argee to. The Hall was not a volunteer hall, but belonged to the people. It was the King's property for the benefit of the people, and he would a3k those present to assist in reducing tho debt by clearing the stalls. He hoped to ;ge2 every stall cleared out by 9 o'clock the following evening, at v; time the ladies had arranced ts"hold a dar.ee to wind up. In closing his speech the Mayor referred to the Pahiatua Brass Band which, he ] *aid, had seen bad times lately. He ■hoped that every assistance would be tgiven to reorganise it, and at snme future date a bazaar would be held with the object of providing funds for additional instrurnentc for the Band. Much of the success of the bazaar s due to Mrs Crewe and her energetic -assistants.