A. S. WALLACE AND PARTY

Southland Times, Issue 17482, 24 July 1915, Page 7

A. S. WALLACE AND PARTY

PINAL ENTERTAINMENT. A MOST SUCCESSFUL TOUR. • The tour of Southland arranged by Mr A. S. Wallace and party, in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund, which was cent menced on March 10, was brought to a successful conclusion last evening in the Municipal Theatre before a fair house. Mr W. D. Hunt, who presided, in bis introductory remarks, said that the entertainment that night was the final of a series that had been inaugurated by Mr A. S. Wallace and party in aid of tho Belgian Belief Fund. In all tho party had given 45 concerts. They had not missed a single appointment, "although they had to travel long distances, not getting back until all hours of the night. They had visited places as far distant as Waikaia, and. altogether, had performed a big feat, more especially as the tour was undertaken during the winter months. Prior to that night they had augmented the Fund to the extent of £2607 14s 7d, and they hoped that night to increase the amount to £3OOO. The whole of the money had been raised -without incurring a penny of expense, the party paying their expenses out of their own pockets. (Applause). He read a telegram from Mr G. L. Denniston, the Belgian Consul for New Zealand, thanking Mr Wallace and party for the splendid results of their efforts. The only other speaker was Mr Eustace Russell, who made a spirited appeal on behalf of the suffering Belgians. In the course of his remarks, Mr Russell said the position of Belgium to-day was the direct result of the enmity of Germany against Britain. Germany’s great need was to acquire overseas possessions, and she could find no others but those owned by Britain. And what a boon it would have been for Germany if she could have acquired these fair lands in ’the Pacific. Germany had resolved to take Calais at all costs, and from there with her big guns she could have shelled Dover, and with her Zeppelins and submarines would probably have brought Britain to her feet. But Germany had not reckoned with Belgium, and the violation of the neutrality of that country was one of the greatest acts that had ever been committed. Belgians had appealed. to Britain and had received the answer. "We will assist you." Belgium s action in resisting Germany would go down to history as one of the bravest actions, great or small, that had been performed since the world began. (Applause). Mr Russell then gave a vivid word-picture of the devastation in Belgium as the result of the war and told how the population were horror-stricken and famine-stricken. But when the day of settlement came Europe would not repudiate the debt it owed to that nation —gallant little Belgium. The people there were at present literally starving, and Mr Wallace had organised his party for the purpose of giving them relief. The country people had done remarkably well: their response had been a magnificent one. Mr XV allace had set out to get £SOO, and the amount now stood at over £2600. (Applause). Mr Wallace and his party had performed their self-im-posed task cheerfully, and the speaker was sorry that that night the Theatre was not filled to overflowing. Mr Russell concluded by making a strong appeal to those present to loosen their pursestrings tor the suffering people of Belgium. During the evening Mr Wallace offered for sale a Union Jack, the result being that the handsome sum of £l6O was realised, the flag being finally secured by a Hedgehope syndicate for £53. Following were the buyers, the flag being sold and resold 32 times. —John Taylor, £10; Kennington. £6; Oreti. £5: Fairfax, £5; Tay street. £5; Otahuti, £S; W. gwale, £5; XV, D. Hunt, £5; Kapuka, P3 10s; St. Paul’s Church, £2: Miss Arthur, £5; Wairio, £2; Geo. Meek, £2; Miss Officer. £5; Jos. McLean, £2; Gavin Barry. £1: Thos. Hide. £1: Thompson (Kamati), £1: A. A Froggatt, £1; F. Chisholm, £1; Speirs, £1; Kilby. £1; Eustace Russell. £5; Wm. Boyce, £1; J. D. Gilmore. £1; Miss Meek, £1: T. D. Pearce, £1: R. Officer, £1; W. Hamilton. £1; We, Us and Co. £1; Miss Pollock, £1; Ayling, £1; Mrs Ayling. £1; Mrs Perry, £1: Mrs Moss. £1: Norman McLeod’’los: Mrs Canty. 10s; Taylor, 20s: - Donaldson. 10s; Miss McLeod, 10s: P. Patton. 10s: McNatty, 10s; Mrs McCaw, Us; Miss Mclntosh, 10s; Speirs, Jnr., 10s; Mrs Chisholm, 10s; little Miss Russell. 10s; Mrs Stanley Hodgson, 10s: Mrs Fred Pope, £1; Wallacetown, £3; Hedgehope. £53. A Belgian doll was purchased by Mr John Taylor for £2. and a Scotch Ensign by the Rev. H. W. Burridge for £3. A collection that was made at an interval realised £23 19s. Altogether, tho net proceeds iif last night’s function brought the total amount collected to, approximately, £2530. The concert programme was a firstrate one. each of the performers being most appreciatively received, and, despite the chairman’s remonstrance, encores were the order of the evening. The following contributed items; —Overtures and National Anthem, orchestra, under Lieut. Ferguson, T.D. : "March of the Allies,” St. John’s Girls’ Club, a most attractive and spectacular item: character recital. "The Fallen Star, Mr Geo. Braxton: song "When the Heart is Young." Miss Limy 1 'fficer: duet. ■•Excelsior,” Messrs J. B .shrmhers and F. C. Cooper: song. "Tae Blind Ploughman,’ 31 r Edwin S-rvic-: song. "Good-bye.” Miss Florence Arthur; song. "The Sailor’s Grave.” Mr J. B. Struthers; street scene in Brussels. "The Starving Children,” Miss Queenie Blick; song "Sergeant of the Line." Mr 11. Lindsay Mair: song, •’The Bluebells of Scotland." Mrs Penman: quartette. "In this Hour of Softened Splendour.” Misses Arthur and Officer. Messrs Strutiiers and Cooper: clog dance. Miss Peggy Penman: song. "John Bull. Junr..” splendidly illustrated by tableaux by High School Cadets in uniform, Mr Frank Booth; humorous recital, "Tiie Vicar’s Presentation." -Mr J. ji. Gilmore: duet, "The (’rookie Bawbee." Mrs Penman and Mr Strothers, Mrs N. .1. Broken.-h ire played the .accompaniments in her usual accomplished manner. and the Sth Reginu ntal Band supplied the music for tlm Allies March.

At tin- conclusion of the entertainment the following motion, proposed by Mr AV. D. Hunt, was carried by acclamation and with great enthusiasm: "That This representative meeting of the citizens of Invercargill and the country districts of Southland desires to place on record its deep appreciation of the splendid services rendered by Mr A. S. "Wallace and the members of his concert party in organising' and conducting, without personal recompense, a. series of concerts throughout this province in aid of the noble but suffering people of Belgium, and further wishes to congratulate the party on raising the magnificent sum of £2S3O by this means, and that a copy of this resolution be framed and presented to each member of the party.” This concluded a most successful tour.