ASSISTING THE BELGIANS

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20347, 6 May 1915, Page 7

ASSISTING THE BELGIANS

BIG FETE AT BULLS

ESTIMATED TO YIELD ABOUT

£1000

(From Our Travelling Reporter.) MAIiTOM, May 5. There is no gainsaying the fact thai the country is vicing with the towns in the efEort to raise substantial sums for the purpose of assisting distressed Belgians, and a further example of this was afforded at Bulls to-day. When it was decided to have a day for the Belgians, willing workers came forward from all parts of the district; in fact it seemed as if organiser and secretary Goodall had used a magic wand in connection with the matter. Volunteers in numbers essayed to do their duty in whatever sphere they were placed, and there is no doubt they carried out the work entrusted to them in such a noble way that as evening advanced it took Mr Goodall and his staff of assistants all they knew to keep pace in entering up revenue as it poured in from the many sources. The resuit of this noble effort on the part of the Bulls community was not available last night, but figuring it out the receipts should be somewhere in the vicinity of £1000. The big fete took place on tlie racecourse, Kindly lent for the occasion by the llangitikei Jockey Club, and a most enjoyable programme was carried thrniicrh without, ii hit.nli.

There was a very fine response from the public, and almost every part of Rangitikei and Oroua was represented, whilst I noticed among the army of workers several folk from Wanganui also. When it is stated that the gates realised £85, ample proof is afforded that there was a large gathering, and when it is further stated that afternoon tea provided and dispensed ~by the ladies yielded over £50, there is sufficient argument in favour of the assertion that folk nowadays are always willing to patronise the tea urn. There was plenty of amusement, and the various stalls and side-shows prevented anyone haying a dull minute. You could participate in hoop-la, or have a shot at Kaiser Bill's fat military head, and to show how remunerative these sources were it may be mentioned that "hoopla" and dart boards realiised about £25. "Kaiser Bill" assisted the Belgians to the extent of over £9. A Kaiapoi rug guessing competition yielded £8 155.,6 d.; chain stepping competition £11 5s 6d, and so on, every means set out to raise funds being well managed and fully justified. One lady told fortunes, and secured as much as £4 18s. 3d., besides sending her patrons away in a happy mood. Donations amounted to £145, and a number of gift sheep, Avhich were auctioned off by Mr. N. Gorton, brought - between £140 and £150, the Gear Meat Co. being the main purchaser. A good and very interesting programme ' was carried out, under the direction of Mr. J: F. M. McKelvie, and as already indicated, there was not a hitch in the proceedings, nor an ac- „ cident of any kind to mar the complete enjoyment of the day's outing. The Marton Band, under the conductorship of Mr. Crozier, contributed much to the enjoyment of those who vtctende3.

The results of the horse, motor cycling and other events were as follows: Maiden pony: L. McKetvie's Peary 1, D. Paterson's Rita 2. T. Richardson's Bonny Grey 3. Maiden hunters : Miss Pryce's Donavon 1, G. Smith's Kiriwani 2, M. Hcrne's Whimper 3. Open pony: L. MeKelvie';* Mikado 1, L. McKelvie's Peary 2, C. McDonell's Matahiwi 3. Ladies' bracelet (threading the needle, horseback) :G. McDonnell 1, E. Reid 2, F. McLean 3. Tilting the ring: G. Smith 1, C. McDonnell 2. . . Open hunters: J. McLean's Waitohi, 1, D. G. Reddiford's Dugald 2, M. K. Bryce's Donovan 3. Open driving: J. H. Whisker 1. ' Boys' race, 440 yards: C. Wright 1. W. Arbuckle 2, D. Gordon 3. High jump: H. Ellery (sft, llin.) 1, A. Moss 2. Long jump: Scanlon (17ft.) I, Hum 2. Marathon race for selected teama from schools, team of four boys under 15, trophy for winning team Ist, 2nd 3rd and 4th, medats for individual places. The teams were placed as follows: Bulls School 1, Marton 2. The winners of the medals were: J. Jones 1, A. Vile 2 (Bulls), Roy Rivers (Marton) 3, Wereta 4. Five miles motor cycle handicap: Coleman (7 h.p. Indian) scr. 1, Sutherland (3§ h.p. Budge) 50 yds. 2, Jones (2| Matchless) 80 yds. 3. Time, smin. 18 4-5 sees. It appears, however, that Coleman. was sent away ten seconds too soon, and all parties agmed that the race should be run over again. On this occasion, there was a slightly different ending, Sutherland gaining first place, Anderson second, and Coleman third. Time, 6 mins. 10 miles motor cycle handicap: Coleman (ser.) 1, Anderson (100 yds.) 2, Time, 13.23 2-5. Coleman's time was 9.49 2-5. This was a splendid race,