CHEQUES ON FLOOR

Evening Star, Issue 19774, 26 January 1928, Page 12

CHEQUES ON FLOOR

NOVEL HOSPITAL COLLECTION. The ‘ On With the Dunce ’ ball, held at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in aid of the .Infants’ Hospital, Westminster, was one of the brightest and most successful functions over held in the interests of charity. The Opera House was beautifully decorated with huge colored stars suspended from the ceiling, while the omit sin. stand was enframed ni a pa t umic canvas, which added Ins're to He general color scheme, .va innovation during the evening was a selection of songs by Tcify Ronnor, the Welsh tenor,.who was fondly appu iaed. Shortly after midnight Mr J. Gomcr Berry, the chairman of tiic Infants’ Hospital, stood on a chair and read a telegram from Princess Marv. Her Highness wired as follow: “ As president of the Infants’ Hospital, hope the function will be a great success. I am sure the result will be a substantial amount for the funds of the hospital, in which 1 am keenly interested.—Mary.”

Much interest was caused at this point by large letters spelling out the words “The .Infants’ Hospital” being placed right across the ballroom Hoof. Mr Gomer Berry then announced that Sir Harry M'Gowan had laid him a wager that these letters would not be covered with Treasury and bank notes within ten minutes. Ho then called upon the people on the floor and in the boxes to throw down notes to enable those on the floor to cover the letters. The first contribution to the funds in tliis novel way was a cheque for £IOO, which had been sent by Mrs Gomer Rcrry (who was prevented by illness from being present) to Lady Ashlield of Southwell, the chairman of the Ladies’ Appeal Committee, Then Lady Ashlield, after reading the letter, placed the cheque on the corner of the letter “ T.” This action was the signal for a flood of notes of all denominations. Eor the next few minutes paper money was floating all over the Opera House. It came from the top tier boxes, from the elaborately-decorated main tier boxes, and from the barricades round the ball room.

Many people threw small packets of £l. Treasury notes, which came to 1 pieces in the air and floated down to the floor beneath. Mr Berry, however, lost his bet, for ten minutes later, doubtless owing to skilful packing, there remainder one letter uncovered, and that was the letter “e ” in “ the.” Then somebody present put a £2O note to start the covering. This cause another rush, and very soon the letter was covered with notes three or four deep. This method of collecting money, which was introduced into London by Mr Berry a year ago, has undoubtedly proved itsell to be a considerable attraction. It was notable that, although he invited people who had brought no money to give him 1.0.U.5, the issue, as it were, was over-subscribed with cash. The chairman, in congratulating the Ladies’ Committee on a most successful function, told those present that it was hoped to raise £5,001) by this year’s ball. He further said that within the coming year they would hear a. lot more about the Infants’ Hospital than they had heard in former years. It was the intention of those concerned in its welfare to make the Infants’ Hospital, Vincent square, Westminster, the most wonderful children’s hospital in the world.