VIOLET DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 187, 7 August 1918, Page 3

VIOLET DAY.

; The final stage of the Red Jersey,. Appeal took the form of a "Violet Day,"; held on Friday last, when a large sale of flowers took "place. Although the shy - little violet was true to its retiring" disposition, and did not appear in public, in the numbers for which a demand, 'existed, the other flowers came bravely, forward and sacrificed themselves on the _ altar of public duty. One of the most« ;painful things to a flower lover on these' days is to see the cruel waste of blooms* i which takes place, and which a little 'more attention on the part of the people • handling them would prevent. Many of. the blossoms drop around the stalls and, are trampled under foot, while others are' lying in a dying condition in the beat of . the sun. This neglect of the flower itself is never shown in other towns, and in Auckland, this land of flowers, more love should be shown. By the way, why - are not some suitable vases pro--vided for the display of attractive blooms? The sales to the day were numerous and brisk. Bunches of narcissi were to be seen on every side and bunches of violets in every button-hole. One man, all covered with clay through working in a drain, was proudly displaying a bunch of violets in his coat. "Cost mc a half-crown," .he" explained. "Violet Day. you know." The tone was sincerity itself. The stalls were in charge of the various women's organisations in the city. The Victoria League had a stall in front of the Red Cross shop which did good business under Mrs. Holmes, Mrs. L. Blomfield and Nurse Gee, assisted by Misses E. Cooper. Davenport, Wilson, N. Coleman, E. Upfield, C. Miles and Langsford. The Devonport Patriotic League had a stall on Queen Street under the charge of Miss Brett and Mrs. Ncwell, as well as a stall at the Shore under Mesdames Bennett and Griffen, assisted by members and friends. The Red Cross Depot stall was in charge of Mrs. J. B. Macfarlane, Miss Murray, and Mrs. Benjamin, assisted by Mesdames Keary, Fleming, Massey, and Gammell, the Misses Firth, Philson, Dawson, M. Macfarlane, Craig (2), Entrican, Luke, Gammer, and Black. The No. 1 Stationary •Hospital had a stall on the Waverley corner under the control of Mrs. W. R. Wilson, who had some beautiful winter blooming carnations, one of which, _ brilliant scarlet, measured close upon 4in across, and was sold at 5/. Other ladies assisting were Mesdames Buddie, Roy YVilson, Savage, Russell and the Misses Henderson, M. Witney, Wilson, Webster, Cooper, Gorrie, and other members of the committee. The St. John Ambulance, under Mrs. C. Smith, had a large siaH loaded with flowers, and the following workers did good business: Mesdames Black, Moore, Jones, Robins, Adamson, Speight, Trelove, Stretton, Fletcher, Garratt, and the Misses Garratt (2), Edmiston, and Irving. A stall at Grafton Bridge, under Nurse Crozier, assisted by the Hospital staff, also did good business. The Remuera Aid Society was in charge of Mesdames Dargaville, Lamer, H. Horton, E. Horton, Richmond, Buckland. G. Elliott, Gordon, J. R. Reid, and the Misses Graham, Porter, Murphy, Horton, • Philson, Tonks, Clark (2), Lamer, Richardson, N. Hanna, Beale, Noakes, Buckleton, Hellaby, and N. Macky. The Civic League, in charge of the president (Mrs. Kidd), at the top of Symonds Street, and she was assisted by Mesdames Axford, Eavestaff, Trevithiek, Hadrill, Grossmann, Williamson, Black, Plummer. - Shanassey, Cooper, Fenner, Hegman, Bushel!, and other friends. ' The Patriotic League was in charge of Mrs. Spragg,-* Miss Neill, Mrs. Milne and Mrs. Hegman,'" assisted by a large number of friends. The Mutual Aid stall was controlled by Mrs. 0. Brett and Mrs. Crosher, assisted 1 " by Mesdames yon Stunner, Herring, Black, Somerville, Baker, E. Walker. I." Olson, Cooper, Houghton, and Naden. TheT Navy League was in charge of Mesdames* Gallaugher. Attwood and Ifwerson, assisted by Mesdames F. Chambers, McKinstry, Treacher. P. Chambers. Knox, and the Misses Weston, Esam, Gallaugher; ■ Dufaur. Hazard, Hardley (2). Ifwerson' Hazard. Carney, and little Molly Gifford!