"PRESS SHIP" COT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22337, 26 February 1938, Page 3

"PRESS SHIP" COT

OPENING CEREMONY TODAY

GIFT TO CHOLMONDELEY

HOME

Shipmates and Sunbeams of Lady Gay's "Press Ship" family will this afternoon attend the official opening of the cot they have established at the Cholmondeley Memorial Home. Governor's Bay. It is now just over a year since the proposal to maintain a cot at the Cholmondeley Home for the use of convalescent children was mooted in "The Gay Gazette." It was proposed, and hoped, to raise the sum of £26 within the first 12 months. This sum would provide for the upkeep of the cot for one year. The idea met with the enthusiastic support of the girls and boys. At once "The Press Ship" members set to work, and within a very short time the first year's funds were in hand. Still the contributions rolled in, and at the end of the year £BO had been raised. This was augmented by a gift of £2O from the directors of the Christchurch Press Company, Ltd., making a total of just over £IOO.

From oldest to youngest in the club, and as units, the members of "The Press Ship" have combined to raise the monev. The sum represents a great deal of effort, and some sacrifice, on the part of the girls and boys. Many and various were the ways that were adopted to bring in the pennies. Avery, for instance, chopped wood and made one shilling; Helen sold eggs laid by her pet hen; Rob and Billy carted wood for a whole day, and came proudly up "The Press" stairs, each holding a sixpence destined for the cot in a hot little hand.

The palm, however, must go to Barbara, of Fendalton, and Mary, of North Canterbury. Barbara had a loose tooth which she strenuously refused to have drawn. Mother promised her 3d for "The Press Ship" cot when it came out. Barbara, determined to do business in the cot interest, wriggled her sound teeth so vigorously that mother, to save them, withdrew her offer. Mary earned a halfpenny each time she was first up on the cold winter mornings. The cot opening was originally planned for March of last year, but the epidemic at that time forced a postponement. The cot, however, has been occupied by relays of children for a year. At present there is a little girl in possession, and it is hoped that two children from the West Coast will be the next guests. The cot will be officially opened by Mrs Derialey Wood, president of the CholmonSeley Memorial Home, and by Helen Watson, Mayor of the Shipmates and Sunbeams, at 3.15 p.m. today.