AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 89, 15 April 1918, Page 8

AT THE GRAND OPERA HOUSE

OVER £5000 SUBSCRIBED.

' On Saturday night, by the courtesy of tho J. C. Williamson management, the Commercial Travellers and their lady workers made a raid on the Grand Opera House for the purpose of obtaining subscriptions to the War Loan. The evening's work was attended with pronounced success, for the Travellers went away with the knowledge that over £5000 had been added to the loan aR a direct result of the appeal. At the first interval during the performance* of "Katinka," Mr. M. A. Carr, on behalf of the Travellers, introduced Mr. G. A. Highland, the producer. Mr. Highland made an eloquent appeal for money. He pictured the boys fighting "out there," and told of the large amount necessary to feed and clothe and keep them sup plieil with all the necessaries of war. He appealed, he said, as an American sub ject. Three of his brothers had gone to the war, and one of them had been kill* cd. The other two were now fighting in France. "Give your money," he appealed. "Don't be afraid. We want it all. Personally I bid 1000 dollars. (Applause.) Who will be the next?" Other amounts were quickly announced—£soo from I. Hart, £500 from J. Myers, £500 "on behalf of a widow," £500 from A. M. Samuel, £200 from R. Jameson, £150 from E. J. HyamE, £100 from R. B. Grange, £100 from E. Soldi, 5100 from A. G. Purdy, £100 from B. Van Staveren, £100 from John Farrell, £100 from Thomas Farrell, £100 from Mrs. Le Cren, £100 from Bill Brown, £100 from H. Dodson, £100 from C. M'Guinness, and £50 from Betty and Jack Manton, besides numerous smaller amounts.

When a total of £3800 w&s announced at the second interval, Mr. Highland gave another 1000 dollars (£200). The complete figures, compiled after the performance, showed that a total of £5025

had been subscribed during the evening

—a very gratifying result, and one which should please the originator of the idea, Mr. James Muir, -who made the suggestion to the committee of the Commercial Travellers' Club.