Barnardo Belgium Benefit

Te Aroha News, Volume XXXIII, Issue 15628, 31 May 1915, Page 2

Barnardo Belgium Benefit

A PRONOUNCED SUCCESS Success attended the efforts of the organisers of the Children’s Bainardo Belgium Benefit on Saturday, and despite the Inclemency of the weather, there were large attendances both in the afternoon and evening. - The Palace Theatre, splendidly decorated for the occasion, with the various nicely displayed stalls, and the Belgian peasants appropriately attired presented a very pretty effect. In a well worded Mayor, Mr open. The principal stall was that in which a very large number of dolls were displayed, in a most attractive manner, Britannia and her allies being a prominent feature of the array. Naturally business in this leading department was brisk throughout, the number of dolls sold being more than satisfactory, to those in _ charge, Misses Ruby Morison, Mabel J Sherlock, and Eva White. Next * came the Useful Articles Stall, presided over by Misses Marjorie Wigg, Eileen Meikle, Mary Corcoran and Elsie McGlashan. The many useful lines—including dolls’ attire, kettleholders, infants’ jackets, crochet d’oyleys, handkerchiefs, etc —were sold at moderate rates, and very little was left at the close of the proceeding. , Cecil Mace had charge of the Boys’ Stall, containing pictures, pocket knives and fancy articles, and the Soft Drinks and Jellies Department was under' the supervision of Misses Morison and Aroha Wallace. At the Sweets Stall a thriving trade was recorded by Misses Marguerite Bruce, Edna Hedge, Elaine Burton and Eva Nicol, ’while the Boy Scouts occupied a prominent position, with their fern stall, which contained an appreciative variety of pot plants. The various competitions were entered into with a spirit that denoted their popularity. To Miss May Monkley fell the task of obtaining 60 members in the Doll Guessing, but this was accomplished successfully, while Master Kelston Mace soon filled his list in the weight guessing for a silver teapot. Misses Morison and Wallace listed up the guesses of the weight of a large cake in their stall, and there was also lively competition in the nail driving event. This was won, amidst great applause, by Mrs Alf Rowe, Mr W. Brinkley winning the teapot, Miss Herbert the cake, and Mr J. R. Nicol the large doll. There ~— were keen contests in the Cooking Class, in which Mrs Kenntth Gordon, acted as judge. For date scor.es first honours fell to Miss Marguerite Bruce, for meat pie Miss Millie Edmonds was first; Mavis Keen receiving first award for jam sandwich, and Walter Dearlove a special prize. For plain scones Miss Eva Nicol took premier honours.

Both afternoon and evening the proceedings were much enlivened by a well carried out programme of marches, choruses, songs etc. Belgian Peasants executed the Lantern March, and Flag Drill, and with the Boy Scouts sang the and “ When Johnny comes marching Home,” Master. Fred Firkin danced the Highland Ffing with a precision that gained hearty applause ; Misses Millie Edmonds, Blanche Lovegrove and Evelyn Gray sang “ Gipsy Jane,” and Master Jack Brodie recited “ Britain rules the Wayes.” The Boy Scouts gave a Maori haka, sang “ Tipperary ” to the accompaniment of many pennies thrown on the stage, and gave an exhibition of ambulance drill. Veteran Maxwell contributed “ Red, White and Blue,” the chorus being joined in by the assembly. Appreciated assistance throughout was given by Miss Clothier, who also, with Miss Bell greatly assisted in carrying out the general programme. Afternoon tea and evening coffee was pleasingly dispensed by the Misses Marion aud Jean Wigg, and McGlashan assisted by others during the very busy periods. The various prizes were presented to the successful contestants by the Rev.Edgell, who at the conclusion, on behalf of the organisers, thanked the public for their attendance, and the manner in which they had sisted a most worthy object. Great credit is due to the organisers of the benefit Mesdames Wigg and Clothier, and their many . willing helpers, for the manner in which the benefit was arranged, and for the success that attended their efforts. A considerable amount of work was necessitated, in order that the main object should be attained, and the satssfactory result recorded will naturally be pleasing to them. The thanks of the organisers is due to the business people who freelyMonated goods, to the ladies who contributed sweets and cakes in large profusion, to Mr Pattullo and Mr A. J. Watson for pictures, and to Mr John Williams, who in addition to very suitable lines, presented a handsome doll and a silver teapot to the Benefit. The financial result quite exceeded the expectations of the 1 the sum of £6s being recorded.--'