S. PETER'S ROMAN CATHOLIC BAZAAR, CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1844, 1 May 1884, Page 2

S. PETER'S ROMAN CATHOLIC BAZAAR, CAMBRIDGE.

This bazaar was opened to the public in the Hall, Cambndge, on Tuesday evening, under very favourable auspices, and now contmubb to attract the presence of laige numbers of people. It is now about twelve months since the proposal to hold this bazaar was fir->t mooted, the debt upon the new prebbyteiy of the church being so conbiderable a& to necessitate some special effort to successfully liquidate it. Since the matter was tirbt set on foot the ladies of the church, paiticulaily Ml 3 Brennan, Mis McVeagh, and Miss Doran, ha\o worked imceafcingly to make the bazaai a success, but owing to the unfavourable way in which the committee were circumstanced in some matters they were obliged to adjourn the occasion from time to time. Their ardour, however, was not allowed to flag, and the crand exhibition of valuable work winch is now arranged in the Public Hall is abundant testimony of the efforts put forth by those ladies who had taken the matter in hand. Though the number of workers has been small, and outside assistance very limited, still the work has been extensive, and the ladies of the committee are entitled to every credit for the manner in which they have brought the affair to an issue, and we sincerely trust that they will be rewarded by the object realising the end for which it was inaugurated. On Tuesday evening about 4 o'clock Colonel and Mrs Lyon entered the room, and the Colonel, having kindly consented to discharge the inangural office, ascended the platform, and in the presence of a good few persons proceeded to declare the bazaar open for Dusiness. In doing so he said that the committee had asked him to do them the honour of opening their fair, but he thought the honour was all upon the other Bide, as the committee had done him gieat honour indeed in selecting him to discharge an office of such a worthy nature. Tbe object of the bazaai", as they were all doubtless aware, Avas to clear off the debt on the new presbytery, whioh was encumbered to the extent of about £110. This debt had not been standing for any considerable time, but still it was thought desirable to clear it off, and in endeavouring to do sr, he was fully convinced the efforts of those ladies who had worked so unceasingly in tho matter would be duly appreciated. Their work was -one of love, and he was glad to notice from the abundant manner in whioh the various stalls were loaded that so far it had been attended with unqualified success. The only thing now wanting was a liberal public patronage, and, he had no doubt, the present season being a most auspicious one, this would be accorded without stint or limit. A look at the stalls would convince the visitor of the vastness of the work which, the. ladies had, done to

effect such an extensive accumulation of valuable goods. There was no lack of variety, and the moat fastidious could not fail to get satisfied in their requirement?. This was the first Catholic bazaar which the ladies of Cambridge had ever held ; other denominations had held bazaars and had met with great success and encouragement, and now that this was the first effort of the present committee he hoped they would meet with a like amount of success and encoutagement. The only thing now wanting was a liberal public patronage, which he sincerely trusted would be accorded. He had therefore much pleasure in declaring the bazaar open for the transaction of business. (Applause.) The band having played " God Save the Queen," business was commenced in earnest. The room has a very striking appeal ance when first entered. Thpre are four stalls altogether, three of which are laden with goods, and one with refreshments. The floral decorations are neat and attractive. No. 1 stall, presided over by Mrs Brennan, assisted by Mrs Hawley and Miss McMahon, is fira*; met on the left, and here the eye of the spectator encounters many things of an exceedingly tempting nature. A ladies' work chair, very handsome arid of excellent material, presented by Mis-, McMahon, is a source of attraction, and should not fail to excite a desire of possession in all who may take a ticket in its disposal. Two very handsomely worked mantelpiece drapes set off the front of the stall to adva ita*e, and in the way of minor ai tides there is an endless \ariety to choose from, useful as well as ornamental. Before passing to the next hall, we must not omit mention of the valuable present of Mr J. Harrison, in the shape of a large and wellfinished bath, the price of which is fixed at a very reasonable figure, No. 2 stall, presided o\ ci by Mrs McVeagh and Mrs IT. Kerr, like its neighbour, cannot fail te atti.ict the eye of the multitude. Its stock >s both abundant and beautiful. A very handsome music box is placed on the table by way of allurement, and indeed it is eminently successful m tin-, respect. Here we noticed a handsome oil painting, the present of Mr A. Clements, a valuable footstool, a vase of wax floweis - a rare and valuable ornament — the present of the nuns at Auckland, a handsome ladies bi idle, the present of Mr Bates, and numbeiless other articles both varied, useful, and valuable. Another souice of attraction here is a handsomely worked bassinet presented by Mis Keir, and the woik of that lady. We were told that a hoise is attached to this stall, for which the tickets were fi\ed very leasonable, but whei'e the unfoitnnate animal was showed ire weie unable to discover. He ceitainly wasn't in stock at the time of our visit. We also noticed a toilet set, the pies^nt of Mobsrs Lewis and Simpson. No 3 stall ls^piesided over by Miss Doran, assisted by Miss Lori igan and other ladies. Heie we are confronted by the bride in all the effulgence of happy matrimony. The hi ide we were told is always a gieat diaw with the bachelois, who not desnous to go in for the " rale tiling " did nou mind speculating their spaiodollais on the artificial. This stall for abundance is not excelled. Heie the festhe youth may take unto himself all the decorations of single blessedness — slippers, smoking caps, &c, &., — and the housekeeper may set off her drawingroom to advantage with some exceedingly handsome drapes, gip^-y tables, tastefully worked cushions and cosies, and many other attiactive^articles too numerous to particulaiise. Themoie useful articles of the household, such as babies' necessaries, including pinnies, socks, frocks, smocks and other things altogether unknown in every day vernacular, are here in great variety. The refreshment table is presided over by Mr C. O'Brien. This table is adorned by a handsome bride's cake, the present of Mr Boyce, which will be disposed of in the usual way. Having now touched upon the more attractive features of the bazaar, we sincerely tiu-t that it will be successful m lealising the object for which it has bee.n promoted. The bazaar opened again yesteiday evening, when a promenade conceit was given and a fair amount of patronage afforded. It will le-open again this e«emng, when all goods remaining un.-old will be auctioned off. Father Ifox superintends the proceedings.