CATHOLIC BAZAAR.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3070, 15 December 1908, Page 5

CATHOLIC BAZAAR.

A PRONOUNCED SUCCESS.

LARGE ATTENDANCE.

The promoters of the Bazaar in the Maaterton Town Hall last evening in aid of St. Patrick's Church must have been highly gratified with the success of the opening night. The Hall was crowded with an expectant throng of patrons, the dress circle being packed. Long before the doors were opened the footpath in front of the Town Hall was almost impassable for pedestrians, so large was the numbers of persons awaiting the opening of the doors. The Hall had been very tastefully arranged downstairs for the sale of the many beautiful and useful articles vended in connection with the Bazaar, the scheme of decoration being on national lines. There ,was an Irish Stall, and English Stall and a Scotch Stall, each being designed to represent in an appropriate manner, the characteristics dis tinguishing those countries in the way of flags, costumes. The effect was really very striking and pretty. There was a; fine, commodious refreshment stall set up in the rear of the Hall, and a shooting gallery, a bagatelle saloon, and cognate attractions which provided ample diversion for the large gather- | mg. The Mayor (Mr P. L. Hollings) opened the Bazaar in a formal way, with a brief speech. His Worship said he esteemed it a great honour to be asked to declare the Bazaar open. When asked so he thought it characterised the broadmindness of Dean McKenna in all the latter's work, and he willingly acquiesced. Though not a Roman Catholic it gave him great pleasure to be present at such a function. (Applause). [Be thought all who were associated with the affair deserved to be heartily congratulated on the conspicuous success achieved by them in endeavouring to make the formal opening a success. The decorations were splendid, and the thoroughness of the appointments generally were very creditable. (Hear! Hear!) The speaker understood that the funds raised from the Bazaar were in aid of St. Patrick's School, upon which a liability was due. Seeing that such a laudable object had necessitated the 'function he hoped it would be a complete success in every way. (Applause).

A very enjoyable concert programme of a high-class nature was then rendered as follows:—Selection, orchestra; Irish Jig, twelve Jrish colleens; chorus, "The Merry Bells," Convent Glee Class; recitation, "The Cockney at the Play," Mr Harry Hail (encored); coon dance, ten little maidens; trio, "0 Memory," Misses Holloway, Harris and Edwards; selection, orchestra; Highland Reel, eight Scotch lassies; chords, "Follow, Follow, Fay and Fairy," Convent 'Glee Class; Sailors' Hornpipe, ten bluejackets (encored); Irish Step Dance, Miss Ellen Hanley; Bolero, eight Spanish maidens (encored). The programme was greatly enjoyed, the dancing being specially well received. Miss Sullivan, of Wellington, who taught the children the pretty dances, deserves hearty congratulations on the success attending her tuition. The mirror effects gave an added attractiveness to the stage, otherwise prettily arranged. The orchestra anu vocal items were all of a high standard. Mr M'Kay contributed a bagpipe selection, which was heartily applauded. The names of those who took part in the various dances are as follow: Bolero— Misses'.Stempa (2), O'Leary, Jones, Richards, Harris, Peters, Curry. Scotch Dance—Misses Hoar, O'Conuell, McArley, Wickens, Lett, O'Leary, Kelly, Campbell, Jones. Coon Dance—Misses Curry, Marryatt, Yarr, O'Leary, Dennis, M'Kay, Smith, Nairn, Duggan, Young. Hornpipe—Misses Raynor, Duggan, Curry, McGrath (2), Chapman, Golding (2), Stone, O'Dowd.

Irish Jig—Misses Cress (2), Raynor, Boyd, Hadley, Hanley, Hoffeins, Diggins, Olsen, Williams, Jones. Step Dance—Miss Ellen Hanley.

Several raffles were got off las t evening, the following being the winners prizes:—A. Thompson (2,259), M. Lngan (1,101), Alex. Watson (1,086), G. Cullen (8,904), M. Scott (8247), and Mrs Tilson (11,731). Between £7O and £BO is expected to be the total result of last night's receipts. Those in charge of the various stalls are:—"Scotland," Mrs McCracken; "Ireland," Mrs Chapman; "England," Mrs O'Connor; refreshments, children of Mary. The shootj ing gallery is in charge of Mr T. O'Dowd.