WANTED! A MOTOR AMBULANCE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1250, 2 April 1914, Page 34

WANTED! A MOTOR AMBULANCE.

“ALADDINITES” HELP IN THE CAUSE. STREET CARNIVAL ON THURSDAY. There are none more - ready to help a good cause than members of the theatrical profession. Time and again this has been demonstrated. So it is not surprising that a movement to provide motor ambulances for the Auckland Hospital was quickly taken up by the George Willoughby “Aladdin’’ Pantomime Company, who intend to show the.’r p a tic 1 sympathy by holding a street carnival on Thursday.

Miss Grace Palotta, whose efforts in conjunction with Mr. Hugh J. Ward did so much for the Children’s Hospital in Wellington, is the prime mover, and is sparing neither time nor trouble to bring about a liberal public response. “I can think nothing but ambulance at present,” she said, “and all the company, too, are of one mind. We do want to help you in this most necessary movement.” At Miss Palotta’s invitation a meeting was held at the Grand Hotel on Monday afternoon to complete arrangements for the demonstration. In the absence of the Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr), who was unable to be present, Captain H. J. Thomas was voted to the chair. Amongst those present were Mr. Stanley Grant (business manager for George Willoughby), Dr. Florence Keller, Mrs. Louis Myers, Mrs. McKail Geddes, Mrs. Stringer (ChristchurJi), Mrs. Eliot Davis, and mpny ethers. Much enthusiasm was shown, and offers were freely made to assist in the collecting during the demonstration. Miss Palotta stated that 35 cars would be supplied by the Auckland Automobile Association and others to convey the collectors. It was decided that the cars meet at His Majesty’s Theatre at 9 a.m. on Thursday to be decorated. Those desiring to assist in the collection are asked to meet at the theatre at 10 o’clock, when boxes and badges (red, white and blue) will be given them. Five lorries will be provided for the company—one to contain the principals, another the members of the chorus, a third members of the ballet, a fourth the acrobats and children, and the last the full musical band. The programme will be. a crisp one, and half-hcur entertainments will be given at each of the following places:—Foot of Queen Street, at 11 a.m.; Shortland Street, at 11.30 a.m.. Victoria Street, at noon; Grey Statue, at 12.30 p.m.; and the corner of Karangahape Road and Pitt Street, at 1 p.m.

Apart from its humanitarian object, the novelty of the arrangements and the unselfish efforts of the company in devoting their time and energies, should -result in a fleet of ambulances being made possible. In consequence of the carni.al, Wednesday’s matinee has been can<e.led.