THE HUMOURS OF THE CHASE

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 144, 19 June 1916, Page 9

THE HUMOURS OF THE CHASE

COLLECTING IN THE STREETS.

The various anecdotes of experiences when selling or charity-collecting in. the streets would fill a volume. It is a case of "grave and gay," and many funny tilings happen, as well as some which are tragic, as they reveal a, depth of selfishness and unawakened souls almost unbelievable after nearly two years of such a war as the present one. A woman who has been, unwearying irj this work remarked that it is the same people who give, over and over again, and she can almost certainly pick out those who will give and those who will not. Pleasant occasions, when people buy a shilling badge and button and give a half-crown or sovereign, and refuse the change, give the collector fresh heart, and the money is indeed thrice blessed— to tho giver, the receiver, and the sad people who finally get the benefit. Some experiences were told lately; a . prosper-ous-looking woman, in a handsome fur coat, hat, and feathers, and expensive bag, when asked to give for the good cause, showed a shilling badge and remarked : "I have . already* donated." Another handsomely-dressed person said that she hated being bothered for money in' the street—thank goodness, New Zealand was safe, anyway! The collector quietly -asked,' "And how is it New Zealand is so safe?" But the lady had no answer to make, and walked on to avoid further discussion.

A well-dressed maa, smoking a good cigar, and stepping out briskly on his way to business, when asked', took a handful of silver out of his pocket readily enough, and presented the a-stonished collector with one, halfpenny. Unfortunately, he passed on beFore she had recovered her breath and could ask him i f he could really spare it aIT. A commonplace piece of tiresomeness is as follows : —When asked for a contribution a woman said she would give,. but who was it collecting; what society; when was the money to be sent away; who would get the benefit; how was-it to be allocated, and various other details. When quite satisfied on all points, she produced -a large handbag, turned over some letters, handkerchiefs, tram cards, and other trifles, and finally produced a penny. "And I lost such a lot of good chances while I was talking to her," said the collector, ruefully. Another variety : of hinderer is the man with many pockets,v who is not sure in which he placed his small coins, and searches wildly but with small result. One lady stopped a working man who was hurrying by at a great rate. He good-temper-edly turned out his pockets, and produced fourpence. "Just a pint, lady; surely you would not- take that from me?" She said she thought she would if he •had no more to give. He handed over his mite, with a smile, and turned back and said he might as well go home, as he could not get his pint. Another quaint incident was the meeting of a well-off person by a friend who was canvassing. The latter stopped her acquaintance, saying she was sure that to give a contribution for such a cause would be a pleasure.. "Of course," was the reply, "I should not think of passing you by," and a well-filled purse was produced. After some searching* a threepenny bit was produced, and handed over with the remark : "Now I shall not have that for church to-morrow, but here yon are !".

"Taking it all round," the collectors say that the majority of passers-by appear quite indifferent, and hardly trouble to refuse, but push on. There are pleasant gleams of courtesy and generosity, and, unfortunately, a proportion of cases of absolute rudeness occur, as well as annoyance' from a class who bestow theiv coins as if they were for the collectors' own benefit, with a patronising air, which most feel as unpleasant nlmost as positive'rudeness. The street collections aro intended to reach tho sympathies of those who have few responsibilities, and are not in the habit of contributing regularly to nny fnnd. Has this object been successfully arrived at ?