SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL CLUB

Otago Witness, Issue 3335, 13 February 1918, Page 46

SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL CLUB

COLLECTION OF OVER £SOO

The weather was. everything that could have been wished for on Friday, when the feto organised by Mr E. L. Macassey in aid of the Returned Soldiers' Memorial Building Fund was held in Dunedin. Tho number of people about the streets was very considerable, especially in the afternoon and evening. There were five stalls in prominent positions—Stock Exchange (in charge of Mrs Macfio, Jacobs's corner (Mrs Butterworth), Government Life Insurance (Mrs_ Stone), Octagon (Miss Geerin), and Mollisons' (Mrs Fulton)—all of which werestocked with flowers (the sweet pea predominating), vegetables, cakes, scones, lollies, and other goods. The collection and sale started' at 9 a.m. and ended at 9 p.m. Gifts of flowers, vegetables, etc., were received' from many country towns, notably Gore, Balclutha, Kaitangata, Lawrence, Milton, Seacliff, and Waitahuna. Many of the offerings' were from children's gardens. One boy brought along 70 bunches of flowers, and a littlo girl a collection of . vegetables. Mr R. M. Patersqn, of Ayrburn Station (Arrowtown) donated a bale of his best wool—a gift ..that will bo sold at a later date. Mr J. A. Roberts gave a donation of 10 guineas—a welcome addition to tho vfund. • ■ Every effort was made to induce tho public to contribute. During the afternoon a street entertainment was given by_ a number of ■> the performers now appearing at tho Princess Theatre. Bands paraded the street in tho evening, and the ladies were most pressing in their attempts, which" were rarely unsuccessful, to dispose of their wares. Returned soldiers also acted as collectors, and their appeals seldom met with refusal. A number of the soldiers from the Hospital also reported for duty 'at the Stock Exchange in the afternoon. Some of them aro recovering slowly from wounds, and their pitiable plight evoked much sympathy as they made their way round with, collection boxes. A returned soldier also acted as "auctioneer,' and disposed of quite a number of lines. A cabbage, which was offered on the re-sale - principle, realised £7 10s, a shilling pot of Jam £3, and a box of tea £2. The days work resulted in a total sum of £517 0s 4d being added to the fund. . „ Mr Macassey, who ably directed affairs . throughout the day, was- .assisted by an energetic and willing executive, consisting of Messrs A. G. Fenwick, James Brown, O. F. Alexander. R. Bennell, and W. J. Strong. Thanks are also due. to the, Otago and Southland Women's _ Patriotic Association for their valuable assistance at tho stalls and in the collection.