HOSPITAL WEDNESDAY

Otago Witness, Issue 2983, 17 May 1911, Page 60

HOSPITAL WEDNESDAY

ANOTHER BIG ADVANCE. Wednesday, and particularly in the morning, Dunedin must have been a most uncomfortable place for any man or woman, who was not wepared to give, to give cheerfully, and to. give often. From an early hour in the jnorning the bands of tireLess lady collectors were at their poets at the street corners in. all t'he principal thoroughfares. Previous experience of Hospital Saturdays had taught the majority that escape was impossible, so they prepared beforehand for the inevitable by laying in a stock I of copper or small silver coins. The collecting-boxes all bore the red cross and the inscription in large letters. " For Suffering Women." The success 01 the whole street campaign was undoubtedly largely diue to the glorious weather that prevailed. About 10.30 the motor car procession formed up in the presence of a large crowd in front of His Majesty's Theatre. It was headed by one of the New Zealand Express Company's large two-horse lorries, in which ixxle Miss Grace Palotta, Mr Hugh Ward, members of their company, and several local musicians. Ihe party was well-pro-vided with collecting-boxes, _ and musical instruments, including a piano, while one gentleman effectively wielded a megaphone. The collection was commenced! from the waggon among the crowd that had gathered, Mr Ward himself opening the contributions with the gift of £l. After a few minutes the party moved off along Crawford street towards the Andersons Bay road, and were followed by nearly 20

motor cars, each carrying a complement of nurses in uniform, armed with collectingboxes and the most -winning of smiles. Tho route led from Crawford street along the Anderson's Bay road to Cargill road, which was followed as far as Oargill's Corner. Tho collectors were most enthusiastic, and the intelligent drivers entering heartily into the spirit of the thing brought their oars *. close alongside any standing vehicle, or pursued any pedestrian who showed inclination, to escape paying toll. A halt was made at Oargill's Corner, and a large crowd gathered, while the occupants of the lorry - played and sang. Meanwhile the nurses were busy with their boxes here, there, and everywhere, ftpidl many of the oars made sudden raids on the side streets near by. The reception they got was most sympathetic in nearly every case, and from the smiling happy faces it was hard to tell who was getting the greater pleasure out of it, the collectors or the generous contributors. Of course, one did see occasionally a man who was obviously pained by the nurse's appeal, but than perhaps it was the twentieth time he had been asked, and possibly times had) .been hard with him. £b wa3 amusing to note sometimes the anxiety of the suburban rhopkeeper to see that hie next-door neighbour should not be overlooked'. And, indeed, there was little cause to fear on that score, for the work was done most thoroughly. > From Cargill's Corner the maw tody ct the procession returned to town via King Edward street and Princes street. Halts Were made at Manse street, at the Octagon and at Knox Church, which was reached shortly after noon. The music from the waggon and the long line of cars hung with red notices, " For Suffering Women, speedily attracted very large crowds, which at times threateaed to block the tram traffic. Miss Palotta'e singing of Oh, listen to the band," and Miss, Ghiloni s "Love me, and the world is mine," were items that were specially enjoyed. The public did not seem to take up the idea of the coin shower very heartily, and the majority showed their Scottish upbringing by taking no risks, and depositing the coin safely in the boxes with their own hands. The coin was given, anyhow, and that was tho essential point. It was pleasing to note how many chose to pass on the delight of giving by entrusting some small child with the coin to be haiuded in. The procession halted for a time at the Fountain, where a final appeal was made bo the crowd that filled the Triangle. Fitful showers of coppers fell about the occupants of the waggon, but when the megaphone was raised to make an announcement something like a steady downpour set in. Tho inistrument proved most useful, and moat of the coins found their mark, inside it. Shortly before 1 o'clook the gathering brok/j up, and by this time the officials in charge of arrangements were already going round in a car ejecting the boxes from tho various stands. These were dn charge of the following ladies, who also had the assistance of a great many willing helpers: Mrs Theomin (Princes and Rattray streets). Mrs Carr (Liverpool, street), Miss Reynolds (Walker street), Mrs Cohen (Moray plact South), Mrs Falconer (George and Hanover •treets),, Mrs Riley (George and Frederick streets), Mrs Capstiok (Railway Station).* Miss Burt (Moray place North), Mrs Butterworth (Octagon North), Mrs Moore (Stock Exchange), Mrs L. Wilson (Manse and Stafford streets), Mrs Harris (Princes anc? High streets), Mrs Statham (High and Manse streets), Mrs Tapper and Cowling streets), Mrs Burnett (Octagon South), Mrs Bolam (George and St. Andrew •treets). Miss Cole (Cargill's Corner), Mrs Eenwick (Forbury Corner). Tho count rapidly carried out at the effice at His Majesty's Theatre showed the following receipts: Cheques «> w m h. £550 Silver „. ... ... <* ~. 204- 3 0 Copper ... «*• ♦•» •»• •♦• 38 12 6 Gold m u* m M -* 12 0 0 £260 0 6 A further donation of £5 was received later in the afternoon,, bringing the total from these collections to £265. The subsequent count by the Bank of New Zealand officials, however, made the total £269 19s 7d. Four nurses who made a very rapid visit by motor to the Burnside Saleyards, calling • also at the Freezing Works and Kempthorne and Prosser's worksi, brought back with them £8 14s. Several of the refreshment rooms about the city thoughtfully provided the collectors with refreshments. The grand matinee in the afternoon, at Which Mr Ward staged "The Scarecrow" and "The Fencing Master" to an enthusiastic house, brought in a total of £125 6s 6d. Of this amount £B2 was obtained! at the auction sale of seats. Almost exactly £lO oame from the sale of souvenir programmes and of lollies, so that the total •won for the fund 'by Mr Ward and his company yesterday was well over £4OO. In Wellington the corresponding total wa.=s £459, of which £4O was received for advertisements on the conoert programmes. Tho street collections in the northern city were made in pouring rain, and brought in onlv. £106; but on the other hand the weather favoured the matinee there,, which, prices at ss, 3s, and Is, raised £260. *

PRESENTATIONS TO MISS PALOTTA AND MR WARD.

There were still a few vacant seats in His Majesty's when the curtain rose on " The Scarecrow " shortly after 2 o'clock. Previous to this the medical students who had taken two front rows of the pit had! been " keeping things lively " and making their presence felt with vigorous singing. Both the pieces were accorded a very flattering reception, and the appearances of Miss Palotta and Mr Ward were generally the signal for outbursts of applause. Several beautiful bouquets were handed up to Miss Palotta. On behalf 01 the Duncdin Horticultural Society, Mr J. Rennio, its president, and Mr D. L-arnach, its secretary, presented the popular actress with a very handsome basket of chrysanthemums. Mr Rennie explained that the society was at present holding its autumn show, atad the committee had thought that it would be a graceful thing to send some of their flowers along to her in recognition of the good work she had been doing in Dunedin. He also extended an invitation to her and to all members of the company to visit the show in the afternoon. Miss Palotta accepted the flowers with great pleasure, saying she regarded them as a very graceful token of appreciation. At the close of the performance hia Worship the Mayor (Mr W. Burnett), Mr J. H. Walker (chairman of the Hospital Board), and Messrs D. Lamach and J. Benine cam© on the stage.. Addressing

Miss Palotta, the Mayor said that ho had to perform one of the most pleasing duties that could possibly fall to any man—that of presenting her with a small token of appreciation from the citizens of Duinedm. The committee had wished to give her some more tangible token of its esteem, bub with the generosity characteristic of her profession she had declined that. She had set a splendid example both to our wealthy men and to our poor men. Whereever she vrent, and no doubt she would appear before great and influential audiences, he was sure she would never receive greater affection and love than she left behind her in Dunedin. It would be a comfort to her to know that in little Dunedin many a poor suffering woman blessed the name of Miss Palotta. In speaking thus he was expressing the opinions of tho warmhearted and generous people in Dunedin. The following address on vellum, bordered with pink silk, was then read': — To Miss Grace Palotta.

The citizens of Dunedin are deeply grateful to you for your ready and generous assistance to tno scheme of raising funds for the erection of a women's ward in the Dunedin Hospital. For many yearn you have had a warm place in the affections of the Dunedin public, and the womanly,'* warm-hearted sympathy which inspired your efforts to make the scheme a success will long be remembered by the citizens. It will also be a pleasure to yoot to reflect that in Dunedin there are" suffering women whose burden you have helped to enlighten. Signed on behalf of the citizens: William .Burnett (Mayor of Dunedin), James H. Walker, (Chairrimn Otago Hospital Board).

Miss Palotta had to wait for some minutes for the applause to subside. "I feel indeed very honoured," she said, " for the kind way in which you have treated me. As I have said once before, the part I—in common with all the other members of the company—have played is really only a very small one, and we have loved doing* it." — (Prolonged applause.) The Mayer then presented Mr Ward with a. similar parchment. Any man, he said, could buy a piece of parchment, but no man could buy esteem such as the people of Dunedin felt towards Mr Ward. The citizens were deeply grateful for the noble manner in which he had entered into this generous enterprise. He gave him the parchment, and with it went the esteem and regard of every man and woman in the city whose affection was worth having.—(Loud applause.) The address to Mr Ward read as follows: To Hugh J. Ward, Esq. r ' The citizens of Dunedin desire to express to you their gratitude for the generous assistance you have rendered to the Dunedin Hospital. Your valuable efforts have helped largely towards raising . the sum that is required for the erection of a special ward for women. This will not only be a great boon to the women patients, but will also enable the board to give up the whole of the Victoria Pavilion to the children. To you and all the members of your company our thanks are due, and the citizens will never forget the warmth and promptitude of your response to the request of the Hospital Board. Signed on behalf of the citizens: • William Burnett (Mayor of Dunedin), James H. Walker, (Chairman Otago Hospital Board).

Mr Walker said that the Hospital Committee had thought it would be a very nice tiling to make Miss Palotta and Mr Ward life members of the Dunedin Hospital. ' Owing to Miss Palotta's and Mr Ward's exertions the sum of over £4OO had been collected that day.—(Applause.) The citizens of Dunedin owed a very deep debt of gratitude to that lady and gentleman* and also to their talented company. He wished it to be most distinctly understood that the -whole amount of the money with the subsidy would go to the women's ward. He also wished to express the thanks of the board to Miss Palotta and Mr Ward for the very generous manner in which th.ey had met the committee. The committee had decided to offer some tangible recognition of their services, but they at once put that aside and said they would accept nothing more than a piece of parchment.—(Applause). Mr Ward had expressed a desire that the ward should be called the " King Edward Ward " in memory of the late King. He thought the citizens of Dunedin would fall in very readily with that suggestion. They intended to name one. of the beds after Miss Palotta and one after Mr Ward. Then, while many women would bless the new ward many would also look up and bless the old Ward. —(Applause). Perhaps he made a mistake in calling Mr Ward old. He did riot know.—(Laughter). In conclusion, he expressed gratitude not only to Mr Ward and Miss Palotta, but to ali those ladies and gentlemen who had so generously and kindly placed their services at their disposal throughout the whole of the day. Mr Ward received an ovation on steK. ping forward to reply. He expressed sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude, not only for himself, but for the members of the company who had assisted. It had been a very cheering sight to see the kindly faces and the kindly eyes of the people that day. It was a delightful experience, and they had all onjoyed it hugely. It was quite a romp for them. They had got half of the £SOOO within a week, because they only started the previous Thursday. And now that there was the chance of erecting a monument to that wonderful man King Edward the scheme should be a colossal success. —(Applause). He hoped they would continue with even greater success because they had this double object in view—providing for suffering women and erecting a memorial to the late King. He did not see for the life of him why they should not get more than £SOOO. It was a very delightful thing to get 24s for every pound from the Government. —(Laughter). If he and his company found any more necessitous hosialtals they would certainly be helping them whether individually or together. That was the spirit of his profession. Next Saturday would be his last appearance as an actor in Dunedin; and he was overjoyed at having the opportunity of doing something for the Hospital. Let them ail remember that they were to work hard for the £SOOO. Mr Ward concluded amidst cheering, and the students led in the singing of " For's he's a jolly good fellow." AN INTERVIEW. ''Pasquin," had a brief interview with Mr Ward* the actor-manager, and Miss

Grace Palotta, during the matinee performance. In the course of a conversation, Mr Ward said:—

" Yes, this has been a great day —a. very great day,—.and Dunedin rose splendidly to the occasion," said Mr Ward, with enthusiasm. "I am delighted, and, though we are ajl very tired, it is that sweet fatigue which the small boy experiences after a hard day's play. We enjoyed every minute of it. The wave of sympathy with the movement, the practical appreciation and the humour of the crowds made at once for pleasure and delight. So much were the people in harmony that there was scarce a discordant note. The appod was universalrich and poor alike contributed; we were literally showered with coins. It was great I But the real value of the demonstration is not the getting of the money so much as the illustration that the scheme is alive and throbbing. The crowd appeared to be imbued with the feeling that they were part of the great movement. It was delightful to scan the sea of faces and to note the glow of sympathy around. Then in. the south, end of the city to see the mothers, with their babies in their arms, holding the little ones up to drop in their donations! But it was good to he alive on such a day! And how did they give! One poor man almost attempted to sneak his coin into the box. When he direw his hand away I saw it was half a sovereign! That was the spirit of it, and that's how it was done."

"Why, we just loved doing it!" And Miss Grace -Palotta, as she rushed breathless to her dressing room after the presentation ceremony at the _ matinee performance, looked as if she just loved making other people happy. "Tired? Well, a little bit; but what a glorious time wo had; and then, to see the women taking the money out of their handkerchiefs and giving it to the little ones tct put in the boxes ! This has been a happy day. I shall remember it when others are forgotten. One poor little boy came up to me and said he had no money, but would his lunch do? He really looked as if he wanted it badly himself. But he was a dear little chap. Do you know, I love that boy. Then to see the gamin on the street picking up the fallen coins and handing them up to be put in the boxes! The temptation to these must have been great. _lt really was a splendid day. I am leaving for my home in Vienna within a fortnight, but I shall carry away many pleasant recollections of New Zealand, and none dearer to me than the memories of this happy day in Dunedin." GENERAL. In harmony with the spirit of generosity everywhere abroad, Mr John Fuller has granted the use of His Majesty's Theatre for three nights free of charge to the Dunedin Operatic Society. The sooiety is arranging to give three benefit performances of "The Gondoliers" in aid of the fund. In connection with the Ward-Palotta matinee on Wednesday afternoon it should be mentioned that the orchestra, the stage hands, and everyone engaged in the theatre gave their services entirely free.

THE KING EDWARD MEMORIAL WARD. THE IDENTITY OF "HUGH WARD'S FRIEND." Mr Hugh J. Ward, who returned to Dunedin on fme 15th from Invercargill, .met in the south th.e " mysterious stranger" who offered] £ICO in Dunedin conditionally upon 10 otheir individual subscriptions of a like amount being given to the Hospital extension fund. His firiend greeted Mr Ward with inquiries as to how the fund was progressing. Mr Ward replied that they still lacked two of the 10 hundreds ithat wero necessary to secure the anonymous subscription of that amount. Thereupon the " stranger" said: " Well, we must both work together to make me lose this £IOO. Do you know any person you might ask?" " I am sorry to say I don't," replied Mr Ward. "In fact," he continued, " I have not, curiously enough, asked any individual for a donation." "Well," said the "stranger," after thinking for a moment, "I know the man." Thereupon Mr Ward and his firiend wont to the telephone and rank up " the man" in Dunedin. "Hello," said fhe "stranger," and "Hello" came back the reply from Mr , at the Dunedin end. " I am itryinjr to lose £100." continued the " stranger." "Will you put £SO to the donation of £SO you have already given to the women's ward? It's a great cause, and I want to help this little fellow" (referring to Mr Ward). The reply ca-mie: "Are you the 'mysterious stranger' who gave the £100?" "Yes," was the response. "Well," said the Dunedin gentleman, "I am with you. Certainly, I will grive the other £50." At this point Mr Ward was introduced over the telephone to Mr , at the Dunedin end. " It's a bit tough," said Mr Ward to his new firiend, "for anyone on a oold morning like (this to come suddenly on you for £50." And a cheery voice replied: " That's all right, Mr Ward. It's a fine cause, and I know I will give added pleasure to your 'mysterious friend' if I can make him lose his £IOO as he apparently desires to do," Summed up, then, this means that another £IOO has been added to the list, and only one more donation of £IOO is required to secure .the " mysterious stranger's" donations of £IOO. In conversation with a member of our staff on the 15th, Mr Ward said: "Who will give that otier £100? Let someone add £SO to the £9B ho .'has already given and the thing is done, or let someone else step up with £IOO and have the honour of securing my generous friend's donation of a like amount. My friend is anxious to lose his £IOO. Will someone, please, take it from him?" "THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER," "I am going away in the moirninig," said Mr Ward on Monday, " but before I leave you I think it is only right that the publip should know the name- o-f the man who has so wonderfully helped forward the Hospital extension scheme. It was Mr Donald Macdonald, of Edendale. Owing to his great modesty, his name has so far been withheld from the press, but his association with the movement has been so commendable and so generous thaft, I consideuv

the public should not bo kept in darkness regarding the matter any longer." We have reason to believe, that a. tenth individual contribution of £IOO to the fund is assured. The daymen employed by the Drainage Board have subscribed £9 5s towards the fund, to which it will be added this week. The offer of the Peninsula Ferry Company of the proceeds of a trip down the harbour on the Waireka on the 24th inst. and the offer of the Operatic Society to reproduce "The Gondoliers" on the 24th. 25th, and 26th inst. in aid of the fund have been accepted. In connection with the latter offer, the royalties on the play have been granted to the committee by Mr J. C. Williamson, and the use of the theatre is being given free of charge by Mr John Fuller. An offer has been made by Hay ward's Picture Proprietary to give a certain percentage of a night's entertainment. A circuLar is to' be sent oilt inviting subscriptions, and a final rally is to be made by an energetic canvass of the city and suburbs. A meeting of ladies will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock to take other steps to further a worthy project. THE GENERAL LIST. Subscriptions previously acknowledged (including col-

Wo shall bo pleased to receive, and to acknowledge, further subscriptions in aid of the fund. PORT CHALMERS SUBSCRIPTIONS. Previously acknowledged £lO4 13 8 Sawyers' 'Bay (Miss Kilgour) ... 018 11 Broad Bay (Misses Galbraith and Hubble) ... ... 22 9 Total «. «m ~. .w m* *.. £lO7 15 4 SUMMARY. The general list: Subscriptions ...£1476 17 3 Street collection and matinee ... 395 18 6 Otago Daily Times list .„ ,*, 939 2 0 Collectors' lists ......* ..i «*, 212 16 0 Port Chalmers contributions ... 36 19 0 Total £3061 12 9

lectors, liste) ... £2352 11 6 Roslyn Presbyterian Church 10 0 0 Ca.versb.am Presbyterian Church 4 11 0 Corporation.Municipal and Reserves Department 2 17 0 Employees S. Aburn and Sons 1 10 0 Employees Barningham ajid Co. 1 2 0 A Friend 0 5 0 £2372 16 6 THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES LIST. Herbert, [ Haynes, and Co. (Ltd.) £100 0 0 Ewing Phosphate Oo. _ (Ltd) ... 100 0 0 Otago Hardware Association 100 0 0 Dunedin Hotelkeepers 52 10 0 Otago Daily Times and Witness Newspapers Co. (Ltd.) 50 0 0 T. W. Kempthorn© 50 0 0 Dunedin Merchants' Association 60 0 0 John Ross ... , 50 0 0 Westport Coal Company (Ltd.) ,,, 50 0 0 John Sidey ...' (k 26 5 0 H. E. Shacklock (Limited) 25 0 0 Reid and Gray , 25 0 0 G. P. Farquhar ..« 25 0 0 S. , 25 0 0 Staff Seacliff Mental Hospital ... 12 12 0 Dr and Mrs F. Truby King ... 10 10 0 J. Loudon 10 10 0 William Couston ... 10 10 0 William Strachan and Co. 10 10 0 Mrs Mathlas (Waipiata) ... «;. 10 10 0 Drapery Supply Association ... 10 0 0 E. O ... 10 0 0 J. C. Marshall 8 8 0 William E.'Reynolds and Oo. ... 5 5 0 G. Fenwick .... 5 5 6 Employees of Brown, Ewing,, and Co 5 5 0 0. W. Chamberlain ... ..» ... 5 5 0 Smith and Smith ,., 5 5 0 T. G. Scoular * 5 5 0 0. S. Jenkins and Co. 5 0 0 Antidote Division, Sons and Daughters of Temperance ... 5 0 0 Sargood's Boot Factory employees Employees of John Edmond ... 4 0 0 3 18 0 Employees of Drapery Supply Association ... 3 15 0 Gridiron Hotel staff and boarders 3 12 6 Employees of Mollisons (Ltd.)... 3 12 0 Burton and Patterson 3 3 0 G- and T. Young 3 3 0 Dunedin Burns Club , 3 3 0 a p «. ... 3 0 o" Hon. J. R. Sinclair 2 2 0 " Pita Kaipaua" ... 2 2 0 Miss L. E. Smith „ , 2 2 0 Professor Gilray , ... 2 2 0 C. W. Hay 2 2 0 G. A. Findlay and Co 2 2 0 Ivanhoe Lodge, U.A.O.D. (No. 17) ., ... 2 2 0 The Very Rev. Dean Fitehett ... 2 2 0 D. Barron 2 2 0 W. H. Young 2 2 0 Dr Black 2 2 0 Loyal Excelsior Lodge, No. 41, P.A.F.S.A 2 2 0 James Chapman, Dunback 2 2 0 "Ch. 463" 2 2 0 Employees of Y.M.C.A. building 2 0 0 Staff Orokqnui Mental Hospital 1 10 0 Employees Wilson Malt Extract Ob. 1 5 0 Staff Excelsior Hotel 1 3 0 K. S. Ramsay 0 Wilson Malti Extract Company... 0 Well Park Manufacturing Co. ... 0 Dr Emily H. Siedeberg 0 " Do as you would be done by" 0 A. M. & 0 Dr Benham ... . 0 J. H. Hinton ... ... 0 Ross and Glendining's mantle factory and department 0 P. Goyen ..._ ... ... 0 W. H. Dunning 0 W. G. Geddos 0 Frapwell and Holgate ., 0 H. B., Musselburgh K „ Ct H. C. Campbell ... ... 0 Mns Wm. Swan _ 0 Watford House " crib," Brighton 1 0 0 British Bi-products Co. (Ltd.) ... 0 15 5 J. H. Davidson, Alexandra ... 0 10 0 Geo. D. Cox ;. 0 10 0 " Aged Organman" Total i 0 1 0 2950 0 0