“A SHILLING, PLEASE!”

Evening Star, Issue 23444, 8 December 1939, Page 6

“A SHILLING, PLEASE!”

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS ABROAD OEKTENARY HEMMMI WUL The C.T.s are abroad to-day armed with collecting boxes as well as with supplies of immunity badges and “ mystery envelopes,’’ the proceeds from the sale of . which are also devoted to augmenting the Otago centennial memorial fund. All the world loves a mystery, and the trade in the envelopes was brisk from the start—whioh, by the way, was at 7.30 this morning. At $ o’clock claimants for “ gifts ” began calling at the Commercial Travellers’ Club, where a large staff composed of inembers bad assembled to assist in the distribution of the gifts; which included articles ranging from a radio set to a box of chocolates, with soaps, frock lengths, lamp shades, ties, handkerchiefs, preserves, pipes, and a hundred and one other things in between. The facial expressions of those who presented their envelopes were worthy of study. There was the big rugged man, obviously a labourer with his hands, who received with unqualified disapproval a cake of scented;, soap, while the little lady who would have appreciated this gift was embarrassed when handed a parcel similar in contour to those noticeable at exits from hostelries on a Saturday evening. But usually the gift was much more appropriate, boxes of chocolates being in constant demand. And, what was more to the point, the money rolled iii. One lady who came to claim a box of chocolates informed the committeeman in charge that tb-day was the first anniversary of her having vowed not to eat any • more chocolates. She was given an extra bos to enable her to “ carry on,” In the south end business was also brisk. The South Dunedin Business Men’s Association is rendering assistance there, having taken over 1,000 envelopes and guaranteeing their sale. A loud speaker at Cargill’s Corner wae this morning at work on the “ I sea you ” idea. , The collectors mostly assumed the guise of pierrots, but there were other characters about. There were pierrots white, and pierrots red and blue, and Hielanmen sporting whiskers of a very fiery hue. -The latter’s plea for Just a wee shullin’, laddie,” did not often fall on deaf oars. THE MOCK COURT. The mock court, which was held during the luncheon hour at the Dowling street steps, attracted a crowded “ gallery ” who found amusement _in watching the accused persons paying out good hal'd cash, the fines varying from a few shillings to several guineas. The presiding judge, who was wigged and gowned in the orthodox manner, was Mr Ernest Griffin, and ho wai assisted, or otherwise, by Mr J. Lennox as prosecutor and Mr Claude Mathias as clerk of the court. ? . , A number of well-known business anti professional men were first haled before the court and charged. The manager, of a well-known shipping-company, charged with “dodging submarines,” \ got off with a 21s penalty. A member of another shipping concern wa,s fined £3 3s for “not turning out with the other Guys on the 6th of November,”* while a hank manager was mulcted to the extent of a guinea for encouraging Douglas creditors by giving no credit himself. One accused pleaded guilty to “taking the chair at the Hospital Board and not returning it.” It cost him a guinea; while a coal merchant got off lightly with a 10s fid fun fop. keeping the home fires burning. Tha judge on one occasion “ got back ” oh an accused, a racehorse owner, whoso horse bad lost when his honour had had a ticket on it. An offender who “looked too kindly” had to pay out for it. Well-known hotelkeepers were hauled before the court on charge* which reflected discredit upon them only in the eyes of the judge, but they paid up cheerfully. And so the fun went bn throughout the luncheon hours, the fund Benefiting very considtrably from th« fines ” inflicted. It was a cheerful interlude, anyway. .