FOR THE BELGIANS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2317, 26 November 1914, Page 8

FOR THE BELGIANS

THEATRICAL STREET COLLECTION. The members of the Royal Pantomime Company are. to be commended for the fine effort they made yesterday to raise money for the Belgian Christmas Fund. At about 12.30 p.m they emerged from the precincte of the Grand Opera House ia gala array for the purpose of making a raid on the public purse. On ttw foremost lorry eat Britannia, imposing ly enthroned}'surrounded by a group ol pretty girl; Jack' Tars, whilst above, their heads were streamers- announcing that they were out to help the Belgians. A 6econd lorry followed with an orcl'.estra (under Mr. F. Taylor), and several of the leading comedians of the company, who had spared no effort in "make-up" to attract the attention of the public. A procession, of motor-cars containing tho other members' of ti'e company followed the lorries, each member armed with a collecting-box. The pageant, r which • attracted large crowds of spectators, proceeded via Manners and Willis- to the' Post Office Square, where an impromptu entertainment was given, items being contributed by Miss Olive Robinson, Messre. Con Moroni, and Charles Howard, whilst the bluejackets ran about anioug the crowd attracting the elusive sixpence and the jingling copper. At the next haltingplace, outsi'de McesTS. Kirkcaldie and fStains's warehouse, a similar entertain-' 'went was- given, and, in addition, Messrs. Lennon, Hynian, and Lennon gavo a comic acrobatic display. At the Albert Hotel etend Mr. Con Moreni evolved a new idea by auctioneering kisses from Miss Olive Robinson, thv leading "boy" of the company. The first "sale"; yielded 10s. to tho fund, and after that bids were reduced to • ss. and 3s. 6d. each. After being out' iu ,tho streets for an hour and threoquarters, the merry band returned to the theatre, having collected the very creditable amount of £96 6s. 9d. 'The largest amount in any one box was , £13, 9s. ojd., an amount which included two five-pound notes. At the Grand Opera House last evening, the secretary of tho Belgian Christmas Fund (Mr. H. Amos), in the absence of tho Mayor and the chairman (Mr. C. P. Skerrett), announced the result of the collection, which was received with applause, aud heartily thanked Messrs. Stephenson and Linley and the members of the company for their valuable assistance.

The company wish to thank Messrs. J; J. Curtis and Co. for the use of tho lorries, the Dresden Company for the loan of a piano; the taxi-drivers, Mc-ssre. luglis liros., 'Magnus, Sanderson, aiid Co., and J. E. Fitzgerald, and other private gentlemen-for tlm use of 'motor-cars; Stewart and Co. for timber; Mr. 8.-. 0. Knight for bunting; and Mr. Beck for -tlie poster-writing.