POPPY DAY APPEAL

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1930, Page 12

POPPY DAY APPEAL

OVER £4OO IN NORTH TARANAKI

In spite of low prices for butter-fat and consequent financial stringency in the province there was a generous response to the Poppy Day appeal in the New Plymouth hospital district. Though it is not possible yet to give the final figures, it is expected that well over £4OO will be raised by the sale of poppies. ,ast year the sales realised £519, 1 ’t a decline was expected this year on. account f conditions ruling in the dairy industry. TLe organisation and individual efforts were just as efficient this year, but in practically all the country centres, as well as in New Plymouth, the committee report that totals were smaller owing to the fact that individual contributors could not give as much us they did last year. The organisation of the appeal was again centred in the Taranaki Women’s Club, with Mrs, C, H. Weston as the director. She was assisted by members of the club and a large body of other workers who conducted the street . and house to house sales. An additional means of raising money was a mart conducted in New Plymouth. . The poppies sent out for distrioution in the Taranaki Hospital Board’s district, which extends from Mokau in the north to Opunake in the south and inland as far as Inglewood, number 10 000. Most of the country districts held their poppy sales on Wednesday, the New Plymouth a, pea’ being on Thursday Many pennies were contributed by pupils of the public and private schools. These were mostly put into a common fund with which poppies were purchased for incorporation in the wreaths placed in the Te Henui cemetery yesterday morning. . ~ t. „ Tho money obtained from, the Poppy Day appeal will be used entirely for relief of distress amongst returned soldiers The fund is administered by the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Seldom, if ever, is any money actually paid to men in distress. The customary procedure is to give to returned soldiers who are in dire need of assistance orders which will give them a nights lodging L or groceries or other urgent necessities.