STREET APPEAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23997, 21 June 1941, Page 10

STREET APPEAL

GENEROUS SUPPORT '

OVER £2500 COLLECTED

PROCESSION AT MID-DAY

The spirit of carnival was given fr ea rein in one of the largest and bestorganised street appeals in Auckland yesterday by group two (motion pictures and entertainments) and group five (transport and public bodies) in the Fighters' Mother campaign for the Fighting Forces Fund. More than 1000 helpers with collection boxes and art union tickets were stationed in the city and suburbs and with added attractions in a procession, which included decorated barrows, more than £2500 was collected. All money collected had not boon counted at a late hour last night. Collectors were engaged from 7.30 yesterday morning and continued with their work until about seven o'clock last evening. Tickets issued for donations made to the collection boxes were numbered for the purpose of a draw for 50 double seats at Auckland theatres presented by tho motion pictures group in appreciation of the public's response. The chairman of group five, Mr. N. M. Speer, expressed his appreciation last night of the generous support given tho | appeal and also of the work of the helpers. Crowds Line Route Thousands of people lined the route of the procession at mid-day. Led by the Papakura Camp Baud and ''Britannia'' and "Frielo Sam'' on horseback the parade extended over considerably more than a mile. Colour and spectacle provided by costumed figures put the public in a good humour, which was reflected in the generous support given. The transport group brought out a horse and buggy reminiscent of the 19th century and a motor-car of 1!H0 vintage. Floats were built to represent battleships, tanks and a dug-out. Original and topical notes were struck in some of the wheelbarrows, which were led by the Mayor, Mr. J. A. C. .A Hum. His pneumatic-tyred barrow was decorated with native greenery. Representatives of many local bodies and sports organisations were seen pushing cumbersome loads. Sa'ies, Raffles and Vaudeville The parade of floats moved up Queen Street and half-wav along Karangahape Road, returning by the same route. The barrows, which were supplied with goods donated by business firms,, dispersed at the Town Hall, and their wares were peddled in various parts of the city. Stalls for the sale of produce, groceries and other articles were set up and did good trade. Sales by auction, raffles, vaudeville acts and dancing were held in the Town Hall in the evening, attracting a large attendance. Awards in the parade were:—Best decorated barrow: Mount Eden Borough Council, 1; Mount Albert Borough Council, 2. Best original barrow: Auckland Electric-Power Board, 1; Auckland City Council, 2. Ladie<=* section: Auckland Electric-Power Board, 1; J. J. Niven and Company, 2. Schools and other organisations: Napier Street School, 1; St. Mathias Boy Scouts, 2. Best fleet of barrows: Auckland Hockey Association. Special awards of merit: Popular Pie Company, Seabrook, Fowlds and Company, arid Master C. Brown, aged four, who paraded with his trolley and collected £3 12s. Awards for floats: Strand Theatre, 1; Majestic Theatre, 2; Civic Theatre, highly commended. The Strand and Majestic Theatres have handed back their prize-money to the campaign.