DAFFODIL DAY

Otago Witness, Issue 4048, 13 October 1931, Page 5

DAFFODIL DAY

PLUNKET SOCIETY’S EFFORT

EXCELLENT RESPONSE TO APPEAL. The annual effort to augment the funds of the Plunket Society by means of a street collection and sale of goods was made on Friday, and the scenes of activity at and near the various booths established at vantage points throughout the city gave every indication from an early stage in the proceedings that the effort would be attended with complete success. The six stalls erected in the city streets presented a delightful picture', loaded as they were with masses of spring blooms, ami the society desires to express its gratitude to the many donors from both town and country for their generous assistance. Six cases of choice narcissi blooms were sent bv Messrs J. B. M’Kinlav. A. J. M Kinlav. B. Fulton. T. Darton, ,T.‘ J. Woods, and Dr Sutherland, and the Misses M'Kinlay, all of Lawrence, whilst Mr Albert Hart sent in his usual large consignment from Wetherstones. Several cases of flowers were also received from Sir R. Heaton Rhodes. Otahuna, and five cases were sent by Christchurch friends of the society. Mrs Spain, of Leith Valley, contributed 60 dozen blooms, and a further excellent collection was given by Mrs Mitchell, of the Peninsula. A choice selection of daffodils was received from the Botanic Gardens, whilst a large number of donations of blooms was received from local citizens. The quality of the blooms as a whole was unusually high, the stallholders all declaring that they had never before received donations of spring flowers which were so uniformly perfect, and that niany of the gifts contained show varieties.

In addition to the stallholders and their assistants about 50 collectors were busy on the streets at an early hour, and a generous response was made by the public. Assisting the collectors were several nurses from the Karitane Home. A parade by Messrs Thomson and Co.’s midget ponies advertising the aims of the appeal was also a means of maintaining interest in the society’s effort. Although the heavy showers which fell in the afternoon were to some extent responsible for a slight slackening in the business at the stalls, the total amount collected reached the satisfactory sum of £270 6s. giving an indication of the sympathy which the movement to promote the welfare ol mothers and children in New Zealand is accorded generally.

The stall-holders, with the amounts collected at each stall, were a« follow: — Moray Place Post Office. —Mesdaines J. A. Hanan, Fraser, and James Begg (£35 15s 8d). Corner Octagon and George street (opposite H. 8.). —Mesdaines Cairney, Williams, Marshal] Macdonald, J. Sim, and Miss Dove (£59 Os 3d). City Hotel Corner.—Mesdaines Cunninghame, John Watson, L. F. Cleghorn (Port Chalmers and Sawyers’ Bay), and Mis D. Reid (£5O). Corner Princes and Dowling streets. — Mesdaines J. C. M’George, Solomon, and T. Brown (£24 3s 2d). Corner Princes and Rattray streets. — .Mesdaines G. Gallaway, Barnett. W. Wilson. J. M. Gallaway, and G. R. Ritchie (£53 5 S 8d). Corner Liverpool and Princes streets. — • Mesdaines R. S. Black, N. Speight, A. Begg, and K. Ross (£45 Is 3d). Special donations amounting to £l4O were also collected, making the grand total for the day £4lO 6s.