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Raising funds in New Westminster in 1888

There were a couple of special events planned by two prominent local groups here in New Westminster toward the end of January 1888. One was for the Hyack Fire Brigade and the other a fundraiser for the building of the Holy Trinity Church bell tower.
Archie and Dale Miller
Our Past with Archie and Dale Miller

There were a couple of special events planned by two prominent local groups here in New Westminster toward the end of January 1888. One was for the Hyack Fire Brigade and the other a fundraiser for the building of the Holy Trinity Church bell tower. Let’s see how they turned out.

The Hyack Fire Brigade (or Company) event was their annual ball which, in 1888, was to be held in the Herring Opera House. Tickets for this gala were $2 and could be obtained from the committee made up of Messrs. W.J. Corbett, R. Wintemute, and J. McMurphy. This was obviously a popular gathering, as the newspaper report of this social festivity pointed out that “about a hundred couples enjoyed the mazy dance and presented a very brilliant scene.”

The evening presented a colourful scene made up of the combination of gowns and uniforms. “The handsome dresses of the ladies, the bright red uniforms of the Hyacks, and the sashes of the various orders, all presented a bright and beautiful picture.” “The music was excellent as may be expected from Messrs. G. and W. Turnbull, J. McMurphy, J. Kelly and H.T. Read.” A supper prepared by Mrs. Eickhoff was included in the evening and the food was “plentiful and good.”

The comments on this festive event point strongly to the fact that the Hyacks truly outdid themselves “and did much to credit the old-time reputation of the Hyacks.”

The second event, also in the Opera House, was a “sale of work” in aid of the Holy Trinity bell tower fund. This event started at one o’clock in the afternoon, followed by a program of entertainment that began at 7:30 p.m. Admission to the evening’s presentation cost 50 cents, 25 cents for children and 25 cents for refreshments. The entertainment, put on by volunteers associated with the aims of the fundraising, was excellent and a “rare treat, the ladies and gentlemen who volunteered their assistance must have been fully satisfied by the plaudits that greeted their efforts.”

The use of the Opera House for the afternoon “sale of work” caught some folks off guard, but the report noted that “though comparatively successful would have been even more so had the public been accustomed to look for bazaars in the Opera House. As the first of its kind in the new salon, the results give no grounds for dissatisfaction.”

The whole thing from sale to program was a success: “Altogether this event has been gratifying for all concerned and we trust will add a snug sum to the Holy Trinity bell tower fund.”