THE HAMILTON BAZAAR.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 1004, 28 November 1878, Page 2

THE HAMILTON BAZAAR.

The labor of the last two months culminated yes(«i'day m tho successful opening of the bazaar, the preparations for which have so busily occupied the attention of the ladies of Hamilton and the district. And really thesoene which presented itself when the doovs were opened yesterday at noon was most agreeable and pleasing. The building is some 70 Jt. x 2i and round the ends and down one side of Ull3 ran a continuous counter, set out with every possible ninety of fancy good?. The walls and timber braces and supports were tastefully veiled with cergreens and flags, and ovur theso again wore hung large quantities of goo:ls for which fc'iere

was no space upon the stalls them, selves- Along the outer wall facing Victoria-street, between the two entrances, continuous rows of shelves were fixed on which were displayed a very large assortment of plants and flowering shrubs m pot 3 and earthenware vases all tioketted for salo, and sundry bags of flour, kits of fine vegetables and other produce intended for the gift auction. Shortly after twelve o'clock, the gong sounded, and the Rev. Mr Calder introduced Mr F. Whitaker, M.H.R., upon whom the duty devolved of opening the Bazaar.

That gentleman, having mounted an ottoman — the price of which has since been raised cent, por cent, on that at which it was then ticketed, — said : — " Ladies and Gentlemen : I find myself m a most peculiar position on the present gathering. IPor forty years past, I have presided on public occasions, at the opening of Freemasons' lodges and laying foundation stones of public buildings, but this is the first time that I have arrived at the knowledge of what opening a bazaar means. I had been so recently asked to undertake this duty that, up to the time of arriving m Hamilton, I did not know what devolved upon me to do, whether I was required to open a door with a key, or to take peoples money, what I was to do, or what I was to say. But, on the morning of my arrival here, I was informed that a lady desired to see me, and overcoming the bashfulness which is inseparable from me under such circumstances, I found my way to her house, not very far from the hotel where I was staying. From her, I received such instructions and so much good advice, that I can only regret it would be out of place for the lady m question to, herself, assume the duty of opening this Bazaar, which 1 feel sure she is more capable of doing than I am. But, m doing SO, I would make one observation, and that is, to compare Hamilton as it was when I first visited it. m 1860, with the Hamilton of to-day. What a contrast between then and now ! At that time the present site of the town was covered with miserable brown fern -with here and there a potato patch, and even then I thought what a pity it was that so good t\ country should go to waste. After a lapse of eighteen years what do we now see. A prosperous and busy country, happy homes, and thriving homesteads. Apart from politics altogether, I cannot but dwell on this change, feeling as I do that the same energy which has turned this wilderness into a civilised and cultivated country is quite capable of making the whole North Island what Hamilton and Waikato now are. We see around us every sign of civilisation — churches, stores, railways, and river steanaers. In one or two things you are, however, still deficient. You have Churches and Banks and other buildings* but no Volunteer Hall, You have no, Sunday School, and your Church is not free from debt. This is not as it should be, and I am glad to b ee, and to assist m the effort now being made to rectify these matters. There is a triple object to be accomplished by the Bazaar I am now calted upon to open. It has for its object to assist m proriding a Volunteer Hall, a Sunday School and Library, and also to pay off the debt upon the church, These three objects, each one of them a necessity m the community should recommend the bazaar to your hearty and zealous support. You should never forget, though you are enjoying times of peace, jou are living on the frontier of civilisation. I am glad to see such a body of cavalry turn out as I have seen muster to-day, and I say, it is a sin and a shame that they havo no Volunteer Hall. The site, however, haa been obtained and some portion of the cost, and it is now for you all, for the inhabitants of the district who get the benefit of the protection afforded by these volunteers, to put your shoulders to the wheel and your hands m your pockets and make the present affair tb 3 pecuniary success that it deserves to be. When next I coiie to Hamilton I hope to see the ball built, and I shall be only too happy to open it, if you will accept my services. A Sunday School, too, was a great neceesity. Although an advocate of secular education, as the only system that can be undertaken by the State, I fully recognise the importance of religious training. It is not for the State to do that, but for the people to find the means and hand over the work to their clergy. It is not a question of denominational or secular education. We had got the one, and we must make the tort of it. I am glad to see Haimlton taking the lead m this matjfer and seeking to provide for this great want. As to the debt upon the church, Hamilton is no worse than other places. I have never known a church built yet m the colony but when it came to be finished there was a debt upon it. This is not right, and the time m this case has arrived when the people should make a strong and united effort to pay the debt off. The Baznar, I hope, will go fur to effect this. It has so many ofoo'l objects it must recommend itself to yoii all. If you eire little about the Church you will care about the Hall or the volunteer movement. The mesh of the net is so small that n« fish can escape. Looking- round at [the varied assortment of fancy ana useful goods and at. the fair faces of the saleswomen already at

their places behind the stalls, 1 cannot see how you can refuse to empty voar pockets, and having emptied them to return with them renewed for a fresh campaign. The Bazaar itself and the objects for which ie is held, will so fully commend themselves to you tnat I need say no more than that this Bazaar is now declared open for the dispatch of business.

Three cheers -were then given for Mr Whitaker, and the music having struck ujj the National Anthem, which was joined m by all present, tho ladies commenced business. Raines became the order of the day, and a brisk trade was opened at the various stalls. The Cavalry Volunteers, later m the afternoon, visited tho building, and added much to the briskness and liveliness of the scene. Although the weather was showery, it was warm and pleasant, and the town presented quite a busy and lively appearance. A. very considerable amount of goods was sold during the afternoon, but so large was the stock, that late m the day the stalls looked as fully and elegantly stocked as at the first. As usual, there was, as there always is on such occasions, an immense amount of childrens dresses and articles of wearing apparel, and the statutory smoking cap aufcimacasaors and cosies were to be found m the customary abundance. But there were, besides all these, a host of more attractive and really valuable and elegant articles, worthy of being classed as works of art of a very high character. Amongst these, were the elegant table nic-nacs m the shape of card-trays and boxes, for a variety ef uses, constructed of pine-cone 3 and other material — the work of fair hands ; tho beautiful group of skeleton flowers and leaves, referred to elsewhere ; groups of wax flowers, and a variety of toilet boxes, glove, collar, and jewellery boxes tastefully decorated with leaves and flowers m leather. There were pictures m similarly-ornamented frames, and some very handsome corner brackets m tapestried cloth and leather work, and of various kinds and designs. And if the more material wants of the juveniles were fully attended to m the abundance of clothing got ready for them while as yet unconscious and unconcerned whether they were wrapped m purple and fine linen or m coarse flannel so long as it was warm and soft, so also were the desires of the older youngsters of both sexes studied. There was a Christmas tree hung with cheap toys, within tho reach of any child' a saved-up pennies, and there were bachelors hovering about — propitiating elder sisters and prospective mothers-in-law by speedily transferring the artificial fruit from its branches to the anxious hands of Master Tom or Miss Fanny. There were, also, priceless treasures m the persons of waxen young ladies — bigger, and a great deal prettier, and far Ic3.s risky to handle than the real baby itself —attired m fairy-like clothing, which they were not likely to grow out of. The intense admiration which these dolls occasioned to Miss Hamilton was something amusing to notice, especially m the case of the largest doll of them all, which was dressed m full bridal costume, with orange wreath and veil, but who, strangely enough for a bride stared unblushmgly at all comers. But the stock of goods did not merely consist of fancy articles. There was a large quantity of really useful goods, and any one wishing to spend a pound or two for a good cause, can go to the Bazaar and do it, and come away with excellent value for his money. The several goods are all marked, so that there is no extra victimisation m special cases carried on by fair caprice, and all that the spoonicst, or the most bashful can be fleeced out of is his change. The prices are remarkably low for a bazaar, and m many instances, we noticed, considerably under what the same goods could be procured for m the shops, to say nothing of the fact that their presence there is a guarantee of good quality m material and workmanship. Last night, when the bazaar was lit up, the effect was very pleasing. A row of illuminated paper lanterns of elegant design were suspended at short intervals, from the roof, down the centre of the building, and the brilliantly decked stalls and the flower of youth and beauty, indigenous and imported, which hovered about them, formed a picture so attractive that the bazaar was even more crowded m the latter than the earlier part of the day. A description of individual stalls, it will be observed, we have not given, and for the very good reason that the committee, with excellent tact and good taste, we think, decided that there should be one lorfg stall only, the goods being so placed upon and about it, as to show generally to the best advantage. We have, therefore, simply to state that the following were the ladios who assisted m disposing of the various goods: — Mrs Calder, Mrs Cox, .Mrs Hume, Mrs Jolly, Mrs McPherson and Mrs R. J\ Sandes, assisted by the Misses A. M. and K. Cox, Miss Crawford, Miss Gorrans, Miss A. McPherson, and Misn Newell.

A second stall, however, there was, and a very important one too, the refreshment stall, and even, a sanctum sanctorum beyond that, m which dinners and teas were privately served to those who felt inclined to make the bazaar their temporary home for the day. This stall was presided over by Mrs Bell, Mrs Dawson, Mrs Gwynne and Mrs Searanoke, assisted by Miss Mary McPherson, Miss S. ONe 11 and Miss Pillin«r, and a very profitable branch of the institution it was, as the proceeds showThere is one thing we regret to notice — the very scanty stock of produce sent ; a couple of bags of flour from the Kiwi Mills and some vegetables represent the lot. Possibly, our country friends oonsider that, as the gift auction will not take place till Friday night, there is plenty of time yet, for sending m contributions of this kind ; but on Friday every one will be engaged at the review and race-eonrse, and it will, therefore, be well if produce contributions (dead stock, at loast) wore sont m to-day. Many who don't care to give money will be contributing just as largely by forwarding iinything they can spare for disposal by auction.

The Bazaar was closed for the day at 10 p.m., up to which hour a Hum of £137 8s had been banked, of which sum £13 had been taken at the doors and £10 10s at the refreshment stalls. This, with some accounts yet to come m, will mnlco a total of nearly £150 for the first day's takings.

The Bazaar opens again to-day at 2 p.m.