BELGIAN RELIEF

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2419, 26 March 1915, Page 6

BELGIAN RELIEF

SALES AT THE OPERA HOUSE GIFTS FROM SAMOA The sale of goods for the Belgian Fund has come to be recognised as tho ■usual prelude to tho Plimmer-Hall performances at the Opera House. Last evening the class of goods offered took a new turn, as the result of gifts from the troops -who have "returned from Samoa. The first article offered by Miss .Beatrice Day (now a most accomplished auctioneer) was a Samoan mat; said to have been hand-woven by an Island princess, and presented, to the management for sal© by Private Spotswood, of Wellington. This was bought by Mr. E. Riddiford- for £2 10s. The next article was also a Samoan mat, which could be used as a skirt as emergency demanded. This was presented by Gunner Silver, and was sold cheap foi £1 17s. 6d. (in four sales). The binders were: Mr. Naylor, 10s.; Mr. A. G. Wallace, 10s.; Mr. J. P. Luke, 10s. : and Mrs. Smythson, 7s. 6d. Gunner Silver also presented a Samoan wax club, which realised £1 4s. 6d. (in three sales). The bidders were: Mr. E. Riddiford, 10s.; Mr. A. G. Wallace, 7s. 6d.; and "Britisher," 7s. Total, £5 12s. All thoso who_ have not paid' up for sales mad* during the week are requested to communicate with the manager, Mr. Roland Staveley, at the Grand Opera Houso. N.Z. NATIVES' ASSOCIATION'S THEATRE NIGHT. The New Zealand Natives' Association are to-night making their effort for the biggest night of the season at the Plimmer-Hall Dramatic Company's first performance of the "Mummy and the Humming Bird." Thoy recognise the undertaking at its true value, and in nil advertisement urge their members to buy tickets for this great cause. BOWLING ~OLUB EFFORT. With a view to.helping the Belgian Fund, the Eastbourne Bawling Club has decided to hold a "social" and dance on April 3, Easter Saturday, in connection witli the drawing of its art union. For some months the club has been holding an art union to raise funds for its new bowling green, and the drawing will take place at the "social." _ Those purchasing tickets for the "social" will be given a. chance in the art union as well. The Wellington entertainers, "The Blue Birds,'' are giving their services for the "social," which promises to be a great success. The proceeds from the evening will be handed to the Belgian Fund. RAILWAYMEN'S BELGIAN NIGHT.

To-night will see the culmination of the Wellington Railwaymen's first effort on behalf of the starving Belgians, and if enthusiasm, energy, and gratuitous bard work go for anything, the effort should result in a bumper house. All those taking part are giving their services gratuitously, and all expenses incurred are being borne by the railwaymen, so that the total proceeds will go to swell the Belgian Fund. Their Excellencies .the Governor and the Countess of Liverpool have shown their interest in the project by specially coming from Christchurch to attend the entertainment, whilst the Prime Minister, other Ministers of tho Crown, Sir Joseph Ward, His Worship the Mayor, local members of Parliament, and other prominent citizens will also be present. The programme will be unique. The exhibition of bayonet fighting by members of the Fourth and Fifth Reinforcements, under the new system specially taught" at Trentham Camp, is entirely novel, and will come as a revelation to those accustomed to the old military stylo of •using the bayonets. Captain Leopold M'Laglen, the inventor of this system, who is also the jiu-jitsu champion of the world, will give a full exposition of jiu-jitsu, kai-jitsu, and simin-jitsu, in which he will have the assistance of Professor Garnet Sims', the well-known physical culture expert. THe musical part of the programme will include the singing by Miss Mina Caldow of the celebrated recruiting song ; "England's Call," in addition to patriotic songs by Messrs. Clarkson, Molir, and Hickmott, and selections by M'Laughlin's Orchestra. Tho souvenir programme contains the words of the various patriotic songs, and the audience is nsked by the management to join heartily in the choruses.

£1176 FOR. A FLAG. Masterton, March 25. At a patriotic concert in the Town Hall to-night a flag, presentedby the Wairarapa Farmers' Co-operative Association, was offered at auction and realised the magnificent sum of £1170, eventually being knocked down to Mrs. Petor M'Laren for £200. The proceeds will go to the Belgian Fund. The sale of the flag produced great enthusiasm.

People having articles which they wish to hand in as gifts to be sold m tho interests of the Belgian Fund are advised that such goods are to be sent to 47 Molesivorth Street for tho future, not to tho Town Hall. Mrs. Rolleston will be in attendance daily at the address mentioned to receive and pack any such goods. A Press Association telegram _ from New Plymouth states that a picnic and gift auction at Lepperton yesterday netted about £300 on behalf of the Belgian R-elief Fund. THE "DOMINION" LIST. Contributions to the fund for the relief of the Belgians in distress will subsequently be forwarded to the authorities in Belgium for distribution:— £ s. d. Previously acknowledged £22,15T 19 11 "Taranaki Herald and Budget" Fund (further instalment) 300 0 0 Proceeds sale of Anglican Harvest Festival offerings given by Whiteman's Valley residents 2 12 0 Total £22,484 11 11 MAYOR'S (NEW) FUND.

£ s. d. Amount previously acknowledged 648 4 8 Mrs. Collie, proceeds sale by auction, "Illustrated London Neirs," 1845 0 11 0 Levin Ladies' Committee, proceeds garden party (2nd instalment.) 43 3 8 Paekakariki Railwaymen (1st instalment) 8 15 0 Collected at Paekakariki by Mrs. Boyd and Miss Prain 15 0 £6G9 19 4