ASSISTING A GOOD CAUSE.

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1916, Page 1

ASSISTING A GOOD CAUSE.

Of all the charitable and philanthropic organisations which exist for the alleviation of social distress there are few better known or of wider ramification than Dr. Barnardo 's Homes It was in connection with this benefi cient institution that a garden fete wa: held yesterday afternoon in the grounds uJ: Mrs Hall, Bank street, Whangarei. It was primarily a children's gala day, and the opportunity was taken full ad\antagc of by the younger generation, who were there in large numbers and gaily animated. Some 30 years ago Dr. Baruardo established, as a branch issue of his larger scheme, a '' Ybung Helpers' League," with a view to eliciting the practical interest of children in their kind who had fallen on the misfortune of sickness ami distress. Two years ago a Young Helpers' League branch was established in Whangarei, and at the end of twelve months, was able to send away £20 to further the good cause. The league is a self-denying ordinance, and it says much for the spirit animating its members here that £1.8 of the sum mentioned was the direct result of moueybox savings and collections. This year it was hoped, by supplementary proceeds from the garden fete, to raise X.':',o, as that amount is sufiicient to endow a hospital cot. Mrs Hall's grounds, which are normally picturesque and well-adapted for fete purposes, were yesterday looking at their best, and the character of the weather could not have been surpassed. The plenteous shade of the trees was made use of for occasional seats and tables and for the pitching of various stalls. The tennis court was kept continuously alive with a stirring handicap competition, which was followed witclose interest by a large number of lady and gentleman spectators, and a brisk exchange of money for wares was going on all the time.

The stalls and side attractions, with those in charge, were as follow:—Afternoon tea tent, Mesdanies Holmes, Armstrong, McGovern, and 11. Weaver; nimble stall, Mrs Lupton and Mrs G. Woolley; Produce stall, Mrs Beyburn and Miss Drummond; Sweet stall, Misses Peat and Gibbons; Ice-cream saloon, Mrs W. Simpson; Fortune-tell-ing, Mrs Hutton; Phonograph, Mrs A. Wilkinson. There was also a "Fizz" stand in charge of Master Gibson Hall. Free afternoon tea was provided for children belonging to the League, and a small charge of 3d was made to children who were non-members. That section was in charge of Mrs Symes and Misses Lupton and Pegler. The tennis tournament participants and their friends were made the guests oi Mrs Hall at afternoon tea. Little Miss Florrfe Fraser was instrumental in augmenting the funds .fjuite appreciably by the sale of floral ■'buttonholes," which she had made entirely on her own initiative. From the balcony of the house a number of vocal items were given by the following ladies and gentlemen: — Mrs Woolley, Miss Chrissie Ormiston, Miss< Nelly Barton, Madame Ed it I Brainsby. Mr Stuart Thomson, and M) i.hiph Parker. The pianoforte accoin;:in:sts were Madame Brainsby am Mrs Woolley. •In the course of a very instructive address on the history ami aims of themovement, the Rev. H Daniel mentioned that the children had collected £17 3s 10d, the box with the highe amount containing £1 Os 4d, while there were still 18 boxes to come in. The fete itself showed approximate takings yesterday of £44, from which only a little has to be deducted for expenses, so that the anticipated'Ji. - !' altogether has been practically doubled This satisfactory state of finance redounds to the credit of the Young Helpers' League president (Mrs Holmes), the secretary (Miss Bain), the executive generally and all others who came voluntarily forward to help the cause along.