£1588 RAISED.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20624, 13 August 1932, Page 14

£ISBB RAISED.

ORPHANAGES' APPEAL.

GENEROUS RESPONSE. ENTHUSIASTIC WORK OP COLLECTORS.

"We have burst tho thermometer," said Mr J. L. Hay, chairman of the Citizens' Committeo of the appeal on behalf of the Anglican, Presbyterian, and Methodist Orphanages, when shortly after ten o'clock last night he was able to announce that the total from all sources was £ISBB. By the time all receipts are in the total is expected to reach £IOOO. Mr Hay's reference was to tho big "thermometer" on the building on tho Colombo street-High street triangle, which was provided for rocording the objective of the appeal, £ISOO. How the Total was Made Up. Figures last night were tentative only, and the following table gives approximate amounts in most instances: — £ s. d. Street collection .. I,OJB 0 0 Radio concert .. .. 346 0 0 Copper trail .. _ .. 100 0 0 Bible classes' bread envelopes .. .. 80 0 0 Produce stall .. .. 40 0 0 Cake .. .. 4 14 7 Total .. .. £1,588 14 7 Chairman's Gratification. "Although we Hot an objective of £1500," Mr Hay said, when asked for his opinion of the result, "none of -us expoctod that we should reach an amount so large. But with the remarkable public interest in the appeal, '.o gether with the enthusiasm of over one thousand collectors, it was evident. as the day wore on that tho objectiva was within sight of attainment. I have nover been associated with such a loyal and enthusiastic banc' of workers. The interest in the appeal was widespread amongst every section of the community, and it is due to the combination of all these forces that the appeal was so remarkably successful. Tho radio evening was an important factor in contributing to the success of the appeal, as it aroused interest not only in Christchurch, but in all parts of Canterbury. Such a romarkablc result, and the readiness and cheerfulness with which the people gave, indicates, I think, a greater do greo of buoyancy than has been noticed for some time." To all who assisted in the attainment of a result so splendid—the collectors, those who assisted in the organisation of the appeal, the staff at boadquarters, and the public who 60 generously responded —Mr Hay said that he desired on behalf of the Citizens' Committeo to express aineerest thanks for valued help and cooperation. Enthusiastic Helpers. Any fears that the enthusiasm of the collectors would have cooled owing to the postponement of the appeal caused by the snowfall a week ago, were quickly set at rest. By 7-15 a.m. yesterday the first contingent of collectors reported at Hays, Limited, headquarters of tho appeal, all eager to get to their job. The members of tho public were equally enthusiastic, the collectors reporting that, without exception, the people showed a willingness to give that lightened their task considerably. A pleasant feature of the appeal was the number of anonymous gifts received. In response to tho challenge thrown out on tho occasion of the radio concert on August 3rd —that £3 would be given if nine other* would each give a similar amount—;two contributions of £5 each were received yesterday, bringing the total up to «SS, Another anonymous gift received yes* terday amounted to £ss-. , Given » roving commission, mibb Esther James, who completed recently a walking tour of the Dominion, under' taken for the purpose of advertising New Zealand-made goods, aroused a great deal of attention, much interest being shown in the outfit she was wearing the same which she wore on her long walk. Miss James reaped a. rich harvest of coins in Cathedra] square during the morning and afternoon. The Copper Trail. The copper trail was one of the outstanding features of the appeal. The pennies were contributed by the children attending the schools of the City and suburbs, and were placed *n a special thick paper container. Thesj containers wer» placed op the edge of the footpath, and made a trail aossft long. To the Fendalton School, with a total of £l3 2s Bd, representing 373 ft of the totaj trail, went the honour of having contributed the highest amount. gome Appeal Incidents. One noteworthy feature connected with those assisting in the appeal was the practical evidence of Church union. As far as Anglicans, Presbyterians, and Methodists were concerned, denomtnatiopalism was dropped, and adherents of different Churches worked together in the greatest harmony. Another feature was the number of clergymen on the streets with collecting boxes in their hands. A sporting challenge was issued to clergymen and ministers to show themselves in the streets and quite a number took it up. One enterprising collector saw ta it that the Governor-General's party was given an opportunity to contribute, and was rewarded by a very generous rer sponsc when the collection box was presented. An old lady who contributed £1 to® the collector that she had been saving up for the great day, and evidently ft had taken some timu to get the sum mentioned together. The cake given by Mr B. E. Pratley, and" decorated by Mr Mark Roils, proved a great attraction. The guessing conir petition ap to its weight resulted i» a tie —Mrs J. MoCracken, 188 Salisbury street, and Mrs Campbell, 14 Havelock street, each guessed 151b 13oz. At tho Theatre Royal, with the permission of the management, a decorated box of fruit, together with photographs of Miss Madge Elliott, was Hue tipned by Mr Cyril Ritchard. With each successive purchaser's consent the box was put up several times, until it brought in a total of £3 6s. Very complete arrangements were made at headquarters for„„providing refreshments for the collectors and others assisting. A portion of the front of the second fioor was transformed into n temporary tearoom, pleasingly decorated with pot plants. At 1.30 p.m. a large number °f collectors were hi the room, and when it was announced that the £IOOO mark had been reached all rose and gave three cheers. '

A report from Arthur's Pass yesterday stated that snow conditions there are similar to those obtaining during last week-end. Fine weather, with nightly frosts, is continuing.