THE BIG APPEAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 22, 6 November 1940, Page 3

THE BIG APPEAL

PROGRESS IN ASHBURTON.

APPRECIATION OF DONATIONS. ARRANGEMENTS! FOR FUTURE, Appreciation of the manner in which many people in poor circumstances had generously given to the patriotic appeal during the house-to-house canvass and regret at the poor response on the part of many others who were apparently in a position to give generously were expressed at a meeting of the Ashburton Patriotic Committee last evening. The chairman (Mr E. M. Gabites) presided. “Owing to some very uncomplimentary remarks passed to me last evening, I feel that I can no longer give him my co-operation,” wrote Mr A. C. Vincent when forwarding his resignation as a member of the committee.

The treasurer (Mr R. M. Stewart) presented a progress report in regard to the house-to-house canvass and said that up to that afternoon money in hand from the canvass and from other donations had totalled £1222 14s Bd. There were two collecting sheets not in yet. ■ . . , A collector expressed appreciation oi the response of the elderly people of the town, many of them old-age pensioners, who had given excellent donations. There were other cases where there were few responsibilities but where paltry half-crowns were given, after several calls had to be made to get them. The chairman also expressed opinions in similar strain and quoted the case of a poor woman who had only 2s 2ld in the house, but insisted on giving that to the fund, even though the collector concerned wished her to take it back. She had said she would be insulted if the money was not taken. QVIr R. Inch was added to the executive, and he was entrusted with the promotion of the first art union. Community Singing. With regard to the proposal to conduct a series of community sings, it was stated that these would start on.AVednesday of next week, with Mr A. C. Wilson as leader, Mr Davis- as pianist and Mr M. D. Cunneen as auctioneer for goods which it was hoped would be donated to the fund. It was agreed that the sings should be conducted in St. Andrew’s Hall. Mr S. W. Gower suggested that the question of conducting a sing of a religious character in the St. James Theatre on a Sunday evening should be investigated. , The meeting adopted the idea and arrangements were left in the hands- of Mr Wilson. The chairman! said that a bridge social was being organised with provision for Mali Jongg, crib, 500 and euchre. Patrons would be invited to bring their own tables, cards and supper, and a charge! of 2s would be made. The committee in charge would! pn> vide tea and prizes. Hie scheme Was approved. In regard to a recommendation, for a bottle and scrap metal drivie through the schools, Mr Gower said the teachers had offered to co-operate and it had been agreed to mark the area into blocks for tl*Bi children to make collections. It was left to the. Teachers’ Institute to carry on with the arrangements. A Street Fair. The chairman referred to' the proposal to hold a street fair -and Paddy’s Market in East Street. From the funds already in hand it was obvious that some other forms of effort would have to bo held if the Borough quota was to be reached. The lawns in East '■Street were available for the fair.

Mr C. Ward suggested the holding of a carnival night in the street; stalls to be conducted by groups of local organisations. Lights could be strung among the trees and if a really ear- 1 nival spirit could be fostered the money would be forthcoming. It was left to Mr ft. Mitchell to make arrangements to carry out the. carnival proposal. 'The chairman said that it had been decided that a direct apeal should be made to as many local organisations as possible, letters to be sent out.

In legard to the suggestion to hold a monster gymkhana on November 25, the chairman said that a sports meeting was to be held at Rakaiai icint that date. The idea was that the Ashburton, function should be shared by the County and the Boivougli, and it could easily bring in £IOOO, for a similar function held in Ashburton some time ago for soldier’s gifts had raised £4OO. After a good deal of discussion it was decided that the chairman conifer with the County Chairman, in regard: to combining both districts in the effort A' system of pools on local cricket scores was explained by the chairman and after details had been gone into it was agreed that the proposal should be played before the Cricket Association for its consideration. It was agreed that a further meeting should be held next Monday evening prior to the Home Guard public meeting.