EDGECUMBE BAZAAR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 38, 12 January 1943, Page 4

EDGECUMBE BAZAAR

CONCLUSION OF BABY CONTEST

TRIBUTE TO DISTRICT §

. Arising out of the simple suggestion of holding a bottle drive in the interests of the district Patriotic Fund, the recent Baby Contest at Edgecumbe grew into one of the most successful campaigns ever held in that centre and realised in a little under two months just on £350. The campaign concluded on Saturn day last with a bazaar at which no less than £198 was raised, and which has been described as possibly the most successful function of its; kind ever held in the township. The 'baby contest' idea seemed to cat ch on like wildfire and from a staggering start in which one committeeman thought they might raise 'a fiver' grew to district wide proportions which made for the utmost effort and the keenest competition. The bottle, drive was linked with an 'egg drive,' each bottle and each egg being treated as the equivalent to one note. Nine entries were received and scarcely had the movement been launched than it 'caught on.' Supporters of the various babies held evenings, stalls, competitions, games .+« in fact anything that couild be calf culated to raise money. It soon became apparent that Baby Barbara Magee and Baby Peter Pryce were well in the van of the voting and competition between the rival groups of their supporters became hectic in the extreme. There was possibly no more intensive worker than Mrs; Bloxham, who sponsored , Baby Pryce, and her wonderful ef-' forts on his behalf have won the admiration, of the district. * The final totalling up of the figures (running of course into fabrilous amounts) resulted in Baby Magee being hailed as queen of 1 Rangitaiki's babydom with Baby Pryce as her smiling consort and second-in-command. From what we hear nei-ther of the tiny appear to be greatly disturbed with the weight of honour thrust upon them, * , It is the intention of the committee to' make a suitable presentation [to all the contestants at a later date. Details of the voting and progress of the campaign will also be published later. >*¥