A CHALLENGE TO CITIZENS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 886, 4 August 1910, Page 5

A CHALLENGE TO CITIZENS.

CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOR WELLINGTON.

MR. HUGH WARD'S SCHEIE.

WILL.GIVE £100 A Rfj/MEE.

APPEAL TO PUBLIC GENEROSITY.

Mr. Hugh J. Ward, actor-manager, is a man of ideas. He' read yesterday the reports of the annual meeting, of the Society for the Protection of tho Health of Women and Children, and was rather shocked to learn that a fine, go-ahead city like Wellington did not toast a; Children's Hospital, and' that the conditions for treating children at the hospital were not so advanced as they might be.

"I've a soft spot (somewhere for children—l love them all for tho sake of my own"—said Mr. Ward, "and have always made it a point of doing anything in my power to help the little ones, and. this thing has been worrying me ever since I read those reports. Of course,' I argued to myself, the thing must come in time in ■& place like Wellington, but time, in an affair of. this kind, is soine.times a sluggard—he only 'ambles withal,' and oft-times 'stands still' withal. I've been thinking, thinking! ... I think the object can be achieved by other and more rapid methods—and I've got a scheme. I'm sure it's a good one if it is taken up in the proper spirit. That, of course, depends largely on your good citizens! • < The Scheme. "This is what I propose: I will contribute .£IOO towards a fund for tho erection in Wellington of a children's hospital as a. basis on condition that at least five other citizens contribute a like amount, and : eight others .£SO each. I will supplement this £1000 with the gross receipts—deducting nothing—from a matinee performance, to be given at the Opera House on Saturday, week, which I am sure, .with the programme myself and company will submit, will realise anything between .£2OO and .£3OO. I be-' lieve I am justified in going further, though I have not yet had the opportunity of consulting the'members of my company individually, but I am willing to do it, anyway. That is, to make Saturday week a Children's Hospital Saturday. ... ' ■ ' > Another Froposal. "Then there is another and a novel scheme I've got in my head for the Saturday morning. I don't wish to say what that will be, but I fancy it will shake Wellington up. it will tickle the public, and I. fancy will rake -in', the dollars for the cause at heart. Of that-late!

"In addition to the foregoing, I would propose that subscription lists be placed at all the newspaper offices and clubs, and that a canvass be made throughout the city in ways which perhaps others more competent than I can suggest.

"That is the scheme in brief—a fair, upstanding sporting offer to the public of your , city. This : would mean that an amount of. JE1550 would be forthcoming

immediately, made up in the following manner :— From Mr. Ward .' 100 „ wealthy citizens 000 „ matinee, say "ft „ novel scheme, say 50 „ subscription lists 200 ' „ canvassed subscriptions, say ... 100 Total ;.:. £1.550 ' "Add to this a £ for £ subsidy from the Government, and you would have .£3OOO or over for the erection of the hospital. There is nothing extravagant in this scheme—we are prepared to do our part, surely your wealthy citizens will not allow such an opportunity to pass of ridding themselves of a responsibility that they will, in one 'form or another, have to face eventually." Mr. Ward's Enthusiasm. Though Mr. Ward had outlined his generous offer with the cool and careful far-sightedness of a man of affairs, one could detect the enthusiasm for the project gleaming from his kindly eyes. He told in modest terms of tho help.he had accorded the' Children's Hospital at Perth, where ho gave a similar entertainment to that ho purposes giving in Wellington. The interview'took place in his dressing-room, during tho second act of "The Girl From Rector's" (in which act Mr. Ward does not figure), and it seemed almost incongruous to the interviewer (hat such a busy' man, and an actor withal, should propound such a scheme, himself not locally interested, beyond the interest he has . for suffering children wherever ho may be.

"I've not said a word to my company about this business," said Mr. Ward, "but come round on the fall of tho curtain, and watch me put it to them."

The writer went on tho stage at the conclusion of last evening's performance, and the following scene took place as the walls of "French Charley's" restaurant disappeared as by magic. "Just a moment, ladies and gentlemenMiss Palotta, one moment, please," as that actress was tripping to her room. "Ladies and gentlemen, this town wants a children's hospital. Ifs a good cause, and I would ask you to assist mo in a matinee performance on Saturday week!" "Hear, hear," "Yes, certainly," "Good idea!" came from half a dozen mouths. "Thank you very much," said Mr. Waid, and it was all over. It was all done so quietly and quickly, and the response was so general that it made tho spectator think very kindly of these warm-hearted player-folk, who were so ready to give up'a free afternoon for tho pleasure of participating in a good work. Though Mr. Ward has laid down a basis on which his scheme may be successfully worked, he -wishes it clearly -understood that us'many citizens'of both eoxes may; contribute .£IOO or .£SO, "there are to be no haughty refusals; we want all wo can get, and the efforts of those interested should not cease with the matinee performance."

Those desirous of contributing at once can send their cheques into The Dominion office or to Mr. Ward at the Grand Hotel, and the same will bo acknowledged at once in the press. ■