RELIEF OF DISTRESS

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 September 1933, Page 3

RELIEF OF DISTRESS

CARNIVAL ARRANGEMENTS. Arrangements for launching a twoday carnival, to augment the Mayor’s Relief of Distress Fund, for Greymouth and Cobden unemployed, were finalised, at a meeting of twenty citizens, presided over by the Mayor (Mr J. W. Greenslade), last evening. The carnival will be held in the Town Hall, on Friday and Saturday of this week, and if the general public support it by making purchases, as keenly as the Committee organising it have worked during past weeks, then the success of the carnival is assured.

The Mayor stated, last evening, that he. was pleased to see such an enthusiastic gathering. Everything was moving satisfactorily, for the carnival, and he was sure that a substantial sum of money would be raised. The various committees had worked diligently during past weeks, and the. promises of goods they had received, augured well for the stalls being loaded with saleable articles on Friday and Saturday. Along with Messrs P. Beck and J. Hayton, .the speaker had interviewed representatives of the balance of trades not directly represented on the committee, and had been successful in having these organised. They had met with a good reception, and the following gentlemen had consented to attend to the matter of securing donations of articles from others in their particular trade: Chemists, Mr J. Bluett; Fruiterers, Mr C. Neville; Fancy Goods, Mr T. Bond; Butchers, Mr F. G. Cooper; Jewellers, Mr J. Tennent; Hardware, Mr J. North; Tobacconists, Mr E. Flood; Cycles and Motors, Mr L. Sullivan; Furnishers, Mr F. W. Shailcrass; Mercers,' Mr A. Harrison; Tinsmiths and Radio, Mr A. Heinz; Boots, Mr I. Nelson. It had been arranged that the articles collected be left at the foregoing .gentlemen’s business premises, to be called for on Thursday. . Mr Hayton. reported that he had called on the drapers who had not contributed anything up till last meeting. One of the four had since given, one was a “wash-out,” and the other two would come into line before the carnival. Mr J. North stated that everything was in order for the hardware xgtall. The Mayor stated that Mr C. Neville, who had undertaken to conduct the side-shows, would now be absent from town, but he had arranged to have Mr M. Jamieson take over the work. The Mayor added ’that Mr Jamieson was absolutely dependable, and the Committee had been fortunate in securing his services. The Municipal and Civic Bands had offered their services, and would render programmes of music, on Friday and Saturday evenings. He had wiitten to the various clergymen, asking that they make reference to the carnival at last Sunday’s services and he understood that they had comI lied. Th© competitions had been moving along, but slowly. It had been hoped to conduct some on the excursion trains to Christchurch last Saturday, but the Committee had been forestalled, as prior right had been given to the Te Kinga and United Football Clubs. There had been a representative attendance of stallholders at the Town Hall last week, when space for stalls was allotted by Mr Fairmaid. The stalls would be erected and decorated on Thursday evening, and the goods placed for sale on Friday morning. Mr P. Beck stated that he considered it would be best if the Women s Institute would consent to take charge of the stalls that had not already been taken over. ’ The Mayor agreed,-adding that the Institute was a live organisation, and all required of the, members would ba the effecting of sales. All construction and decorating work would be arranged for them. Mrs Black, President of the Women’s Institute, stated that a meeting of thq Institute had been, held last Friday, when some 30 offers to. assist at the stalls were received. Every member was willing to help. The Mayor 1 said he was pleasedl to hear that, and he ; moved that the balance of stalls not already taken over, be in charge of the Women’s Institute. Mr Hayton seconded, and the motion was carried. In reply to Mr A. H. McKane, the Mayor stated that the motion would not debar othe ; r people who were prepared to help. It should be distinctly understood that all the help offering would be welcomed, but those assisting would be under control of the Women’s Institute. The Committee would b e only too happy to have other helpers Mr Beck: My idea was to have a responsible body of ladies in charge of the conduct of the stalls. Mrs Black mentioned that there would be five sessions during the carnival, and helpers could not be asked to assist at more than two sessions, so that many would be required. It was resolved that any person, not a member of the Women’s Institute, but who was prepared to assist at the stalls, communicate with Mrs Black, when a session at the. stalls would be arranged for such applicants. Mrs Lima reported that the Civic Band would not be available for Friday night, but would assist on Saturday. The Municipal Band would be available during both evenings. The Mayor reported that several sporting bodies had beeji circularised for donations, and those not yet approached would be written to this week. No replies had yet been re'ceived. Referring to the suggestion that the Girl Guides and Boy Scouts be asked to make a canvass of the town, for goods, the Mayor thought it might be better if a collection could be worked by one lady resident of each street. While the Scout and Guide movement had accomplished good work in the past, and was continuing to do excellent work, he thought that in such an appeal, it might be best for adults to solicit contributions. He agreed that it would be placing heavy work on those prepared to assist, at this late juncture. On the suggestion of Mrs Lindop, it was decided to open a central receiving depot, at the Town ifall meet, ing room, for the remainder of this week, to receive any goods that, have not. as yet been promised to any stall. Persons who have arranged to make a contribution to a stall, are, asked to hold them until called for. The depot is for the purpose of receiving late contributions. It is not asked that me contributions be large, one pot of jam, pickles, or any other small article that has a saleable value, is all that is requested. Contributors will have their goods called for, if they telephone to the Borough Council. The Cobden depot will be at Mr : A. H. McKane’s shop, where parcels

may be left. The Borough lorry,, will make the collection of goods promised. It was left to Mr Fairmaid to provide men for the collection of goods, and to assist in the erection of the stalls. The Mayor .suggested that some citizen might consider donating a trophy for competition amongst stall holders. He added that he could not see any “bloated capitalist” among those present, but there might be a response from some person outside, who was interested in the stall-hold-ers’ work.

The offer of Mr J. Jackson, to patrol the streets with a sandwich board on Friday and Saturday, was accepted with thanks. At the conclusion of business, the Mayor thanked all for their attendance,, and the interest displayed by those who had been, regular workers for the cause during past weeks. He hoped that the appeal for funds, would not fall on deaf ears, but that the general public would' patronise the carnival, and assist by’spending whatever small amount they had available. The people would not be giving money for nothing in return, as the goods would be of equal value, and probably cheaper than similar articles to be in m© ordinary course of business. The Committee would be disappointed if, after all their work, the public did not respond to the appeal. Mr Beck endorsed the remarks of the Mayor, and expressed the hope that the carnival would be a success. He stated that the. Committee had done only what they considered to be their duty to the unemployed, and they would be disappointed if the general public did not respond, by attending,, and making purchases. The public would be receiving full value for their money, as the articles would be cheaper than similar articles to be purchased at business houses. Mr McKane said that the Committe,e had carried out their work of securing goods and making arrangements for the carnival. The public were needed in the form of buyers, to make the carnival a success. The goods would be on hand, and the value' would be in each article. It was best to have one definite appeal, and get it over, than to be appealing to the public for help, every few months.