R.S.A. BUILDING FUND

Southland Times, Issue 24574, 24 October 1941, Page 6

R.S.A. BUILDING FUND

Community Sing Yields £l5O In spite of wild and stormy weather, there was a large attendance at the community sing held in the Civic Theatre last night in aid of the building extension fund of the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association. The result was a sum of about £l5O. Mr and Mrs H. G. Hinton, of Colac Bay, parents of Sergeant J. D. Hinton, V.C., had been invited to attend, but were unable to be present. They sent the following telegram of apology. “Sorry, quite unable to accept invitation to be present tonight. Best wishes. Thank you.” Mr C. Trim referred to the great distinction that Sergeant Hinton had won and the audience gave hearty cheers fox’ Southland’s hero and his parents. Mr R. McKenzie, of Dimedin, acted as leader of the sing and Mr Archie Jones as song leader. Other members of the South Dunedin Community Sing Committee were also present and they assisted materially in keeping the fun going at a swift pace throughout the evening. The concert was broadcast between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., and during this period Dr A. W. Owen-Johnston, president of the Invercargill Returned Soldiers’ Association made an appeal over the air for donations to the fund. Dx-Owen-Johnston said that during the Great War the citizens of Invercargill raised money and in 1916 provided a club for soldiers returning from the war. Several years later the balance of the money raised was used towards building the present club rooms. Had it not been for the present war the association would have had all the accommodation it needed, but now, if the association was to look after the interests of the men returning from this war, it would have to extend its premises considerably. The association would be able to help in the problem of rehabilitation much more effectively if it could hold all the returned soldiers as members. In this direction a good club with a hall attached would be a big help. As a result of the appeal a sum of £75/19/9 was promised by telephone. In addition a sum of £8 was raised by an auction of goods held during the second half of the programme, a collection realized £l2 and the takings came to about £5O. In addition to the community singing, dancing items were given by Miss Rene Ward’s pupils and by Miss Jean Miller’s pupils, solos by Miss Claire Cull and Mr Archie Jones, accordion and musical saw items by Mx- Rule Roper, and Mr McKenzie told a number of stories. The second half of tlxe programme was opened with items by the Ambassadors’ band. Miss Myrie Hunt was the accompanist. Aftex’ the concert the visitors from Dunedin and all helpers at the theatre were entertained to supper at the R.S.A. Club rooms by the women’s committee under the direction of Mesdames A. J. Neil and J. Mclllwraith.