£21,574 FOR A FLAG

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2496, 24 June 1915, Page 6

£21,574 FOR A FLAG

ALL RECORDS BEATEN WAIRARAPA'S GREAT EFFORT (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Mzflterton, Juno 23. Masterton to-night beat all records when, at a boxing carnival, the sum of £21,574 was bid at auction for a flag presented by Mr. A. P. Whatman, president of the Boxing Association, towards the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. Tho first Lid was 1000 guineas by Mr. A P. Whatman, which was lcceived amidst tremendous cheering. Tho following further bids were recorded in quick succession:—Wellington Farmers' -Meat Company, £1000; Mr. Guy Williams, £1000; Mrs. Peter M'Laren, £1000; settlers of Rangitumau, Mount Bruce and Miki Miki sale of stock, £1400; Mr. A. M'Donald, £500; Mr. C. A. Cameron, £500; Mr W. H Beetham, £500; Mr. S. Mawley, £500; Mr. Rupert Morrison, £500; Mr. C. E. Cockburn Hood, £500; Mr. Hugh Morrison, £600; Mr. Hugh Beetham, £500; Sir Walter Buchanan, £500; I Mauriceville district settlers, £425; Mr. I Robert Cooper, £350 ; Messrs. Bunny and Dalziell, £300; Mr. H. 0. Toogood, £250; Mr. J. P. Perry, £250; Mr. R. C. Kebbell, £250; Mr. W. M. Kebbell, £250; Mr. W. Andrew, £250; Messrs. A. and W. Cameron, £200; Mr. C. J. Bennett, £200; Mr. D. M'Kenzie, £'200; Mr. T. W. Wardell, £200; Mr. W. Mace, £200; Mr. Hugh Williams, £200; Mr. James Macara, £200; Mr. E. C. Holmes, £200; Mr. Neil M'Lare.n, £200. There were numerous bids of £100 and scores of £50. The flag was eventually knocked down to Mr. A. P. Whatman for 2000 guineas, amidst tremendous enthusiasm, making his contribution 3000 guineas. At the gift stock sale held by Messrs. W. and G. Turnbull and Co. to-day the sum of £2113 was contributed. Another £8000 has been contributed in the Lower Valley, making over £40,000 subscribed in the W r airarapa for the Wounded Soldiers' Fund in less than a Week, . The contributions to the various patriotic funds now amount to over £70,000 in the Wairarapa and the district has r.ot yet been canvassed.