GALA DAY IN TE KUITI.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XI, Issue 1013, 3 October 1917, Page 5

GALA DAY IN TE KUITI.

. «►__ RETURNED SOLDIERS' CLUB EFFORT That the efforts of the committee in charge of the arrangements for raising money to build a Soldiers' Clubhouse in Te Kuiti appealed to the great body of the residents of the district was amply proved by the success of the day last Saturday. Not only did the local people rally round but from as far afield as Auckland valuable assistance was rendered and the financial results up to the time of publishing amounts to the substantial sum of £550 10s with other efforts in the outdistricts yet to come in. A monster procession was headed by the Te Kuiti Fire Brigade and Municipal Band. The Territorials, returned soldiers, Senidr Cadets, am? several tradespeople and townsfolk assisted by fancy and trades displays. Some half-a-dozen stalls were in charge of the local Ladies' Patriotic Committee, and th& result of business transacted amounted to the sum of roui/hly £l6O. "The Jesters," from Auckland, added to the pleasure of the afternoon by giving impromptu concerts from a decorated motor car: A local effort in the Way of entertainment was very hißhly appreciated and consisted of a motor lorry, kindly lent by the Pio Pio Dairy Company, nicely decorated and on which a piano Was placed, supported Messrs Jack Hetet, junr., Zainey, Martin, Ewan and King, in their Christie Minstrel entertainment. A substantial sum was raised by their combined efforts. Greatly to the delight of the youngaters and the amusement of adults, the bullock team with latest (?) .vehicles attached, under the whip of Mr H. Rothery and bullock puncher, B. . Brawer, raised a good sum of money besides creating amusement by the successful bucking ; ; efforts of the Scout bullock in unseating its rider. The general public were satisfied to give this bullock all credit for its efforts, but a well-known townsman was keen to "get into holts" with him, and after manfully mounting the bullock, he was allowed just sufficient time to feel at home when the bullock, in the most densely peopled portion of the street, took a hand in the game and after a splendid bucking effort, the townsman "bit the dust" amidst the plaudits of the public. Several games -of skill were in charge of Auckland returned soldiers, and were well patronised during the day. The success of the "surprise packet" scheme was assured from the word go, and with many willing helpers selling the envelopes and the courteous attention of the staff in charge of the surprise packet depot, the patrons of the schema had little to complain of, practically every article on the shelves being cleared and as a result a good sum was netted. „._:■,..--.;'. , In the evening gave a very pleasing concert in the People's Picture Palace, which was well patronised. Th*> art union was drawn during the evening and resulted as follows: First prize, thoroughbred mare. Mrs Oliye P. Walker, No. 2479; second. Singer sewing machine, Mr Mark McDonald, No. 2382; third, lady's hack, J. V. Wren, No. 2664; fourth, calf, H. V. Davy, No. 2571; fifth, box of butter, W. E. Hookey, No. 544; sixth, sheep, W., Foss, No. 588; seventh, sheep, T. Crump, No. 4; eighth, sheep, Mr Davis, No. 2306; ninth, sheep, Dr S. Zobel, No. 1912; tenth, sheep, Mr Mclndoe, No. 10. Amongst a host of generous helpers the best thanks of the Soldiers' Club is due to the staff of the Te Kuiti Borough Electrical Department and permanent staff; Mr J. B. Young, upon whose shoulders a huge amount of work devolved, both before the day and during the day's effort; Mr Frank Brown, manager of the Auckland Soldiers' Club; Miss Graham, secretary of the Ladies' Patriotic Society; Mr J. R. Graham, and Mr Frank Julian. • On the Friday avening previous to the gala day. the Maori friends spared no effort to make their dance a success and that they were successful is gathered from the very commendatory remarks heard on all sides from their patrons. The provision made for catering for the wants of "the inner man" were .right up to the high-water mark, and the balance of the food was generously banded over to the ladies' refreshment marques for Saturday's function. The dance realised the sum of about £26 7s *6d. Mesdames Howarth and Millar spared no effort in their department and as a result of their labours the sum of £l2O 18s 6d was raised. A special collection in aid of the Red Cross Fund was arranged by little Misses Molly Thompson and Monica McDonald, who respectively collected the sum of £2 and £l. The report of the day> effort would not be complete without a word of appreciation of the services rendered by the... Municipal Band, under the baton of Mr Timbers. A feature of the gathering was the orderliness of the public, which was generally commenten upon. . The committee in charge of the Pio Pio district will be holding a sale of donations at the cattle sale to-morrow, and it is arranged that several members of the Returned Soldiers' Club and members of the Te Kuiti committee will visit Pio Pio to support every effort to make the Pio Pio return in aid of the club worthy of that district.