EFFORTS FOR CHARITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19718, 18 August 1927, Page 12

EFFORTS FOR CHARITY.

SOFT GOODS ASSISTANTS. RADIO FOR LEPER STATION. PROCEEDS OF WEEKLY DANCES. "Enjoy yourself and help the needy," might very well be adopted as a motto or slogan by an organisation of Auckland drapery employees which has been raising money for charities lately in a new and pleasant way. This body has a rather long name, the Auckland Retail Soft-goods Charities Club, but there is nothing unwieldy about its methods. For three years past it has given all the orphanages within easy reach of the city a fine Christmas treat, including a useful present for each child of whatever age.

This winter the club embarked on a new venture by arranging a series of weekly dances, the net proceeds of which are given to charity. These gatherings attract over 200 couples, as a rule, and form an excellent social link between the employees of tho different drapery houses. The financial results have been most satisfactory. So far the net profits have been £261 5s 6d, and £llO 2s 6d has been distributed. The Anglican City Mission, Sister Esther and the Auckland Ladies' Benevolent Society have received each £25, and the balance has been spent upon a splendid five-valve wireless set for the lepcy- station at Makogai, The remainder of the funds in hand, with profits from dances yet to be held, will bo given to local charities, to tho Christmas fund, and to a fund for needy .unemployed shopassistants.

Six business houses share m organising the dances. They are; Ashleys, Ltd., Bradstieets, Ltd., George Court and Sons, Ltd., John Court, Ltd., Rcndells, Ltd., and Smith and Caughey, Ltd. Two more will probably join very shortly. Employees of Milne and Choyce, Ltd., do not participate as a body because the meetings of their gymnasium club fall on the saine evening as the dances. As there are about 15G0 employees in all the houses mentioned the club is a large affair. At present an inter-house jazz competition is being held, with Miss Cecil Hall as judge. The members are keenly interested in the plan to provide the lepers at Makogai with wireless entertainment. The apparatus was sent down a little while ago by the -Government steamer Hinemoa, and officers from the vessel will attend the dance next Wednesday to give an account of what has been done. The lepers have already received a number of Welcome gifts from New Zealand, including an electric generating set, a cinematograph and an ice-making plant. A fund is now being raised privately to install a wireless transmitting set, so that the station may be aide to keep always in touch with Suva.

The club intends to make its usual Christmas effort this year, and funds will be raised by direct contributions from the members and by jumble sales which will be held later on.