SCOTT'S DAY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1690, 5 March 1913, Page 4

SCOTT'S DAY.

THEATRICALS RAISE XBU IN SYDNEY. A week ago last Saturday Sydney was thrown into a state of excited contusion by the great effort organised bv J. U Williamson, Ltd., in aid ot tho Captain Scott fund. During tho morning tlic ladies of the Williamson companies, headed by Miss Grace Pulotta, Miss Graco Browne) Miss Jessie Lonnen, and a great team of helpers, scoured tlio city wit" laughter, cajolery, and song, and collect, ed a lot of money, and in the , noon a great benefit was given at His Majesty's Theatro under the direction of Mr. Hugh Wiu-d. Tho Svdney "Daily Telegraphs account of the entertainment states that tho famous message of Captain Scott had a place on tile programme., It was read witli just : intonation and eloquent diction by Mr. G. S. Tithcradge, who added a glowing tributo to tlio memory of Captain Scott and his companions, and said ho had no doubt the appeal mado by the leader for/those they were leaving behind would be fully answered by the men of that race and nation to whoso knowledge of scienco the expedition had added so materially. While the nation could produce men of this type, who would dare to say that Britain was degenerate? (Cheers.) ■, Mr. ■ Titheradgo announced that the copy of the message which he had just read would be offered for sale by auction. He then led Mrs. Brough on as auctioneer, and she was accompanied by Mr. AVybprt Stamford as clerk.

Mrs. Brough, after a few sympathetic ■words relative to the-cause they were assisting that Jay, started the bidding by offering £i. Immediately there was a responso of "£2 10s." Soon five guineas were offered, and then ;£6 Ilk from two places, • the bidding quickly reaching £7 10s. At this point Mr. Allen Dooiie, occupying a front' seat in tlio dress circle, offered .£lO. The reply to this was an offer of .£ls from Mr. Edward Maas, sitting,' in the lower left-hand box. In this way began a spirited duel, which aroused a scene of excitement. The price advanced by £5 bids between the two.

"Thirty pounds," was ,Mr. Haas's bid. "Don't let them beat the Irish!" appealed someone at the back of the dress circle. Mr. Doone promptly bid ,£35, amidst cheeTs,

Like a shot "Forty pounds" came from the box, and thoro was renewed cheering. Mr. Doone wag determined. "Fifty pounds," ho shouted, amidst a volley of cheering. His opponent was silent. "Three cheers for Allen Doone," called someone in the dress circle, and tho response was enthusiastic. Then when Mr. .Titheradge a few moments later announced thp name from the stage, the thin, piping voice'of a woman away in the gallery, calling for three cheers, amused the house. , p , The Tcsult worked out as follows:—■ £ Collected in streets ; .... 210 Admission to the matins® 505 Sale of sweets, programmes, etc. 73 Sale of- the copy of Captain Scott's message 50, , Thrown on stage 3 Total 841