CHRISTMAS IN THE TRENCHES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2877, 15 September 1916, Page 7

CHRISTMAS IN THE TRENCHES

SPORTS' BODIES GIFT' SCHEME. A meeting of tho Associated Sports Committee which has in hand the project to raise funds to provide Christmas gifts for soldiers in the trenches was held last night. Mr. C. G. Wilson presided. . Mr. A. Marryatt presented tho report of the Sports. Committee; submitting a programme of events. These include a Marathon, race, a, veterans' football match between team of Wellington and Wairarapa veterans, Highland dancing, and a route march for Boy Scouts. Jt was also intended that there should be somo sort of a pageant. These sports . would be held oil the Basin Eeservo on October 7. Tho cominittoe confidently expected to have a good programme ready by that date. ' Mr. L. Watkins ■ reported regarding a bottle' collection by school : children. Tlie scheme had proved to be not without difficulties,' but ho was now convinced that these difficulties could bo pYfircom'e, -and he commended the scheme ,to the executive. Mr. W. T. Hildreth had promised valuable aid in olearing the bottles from tho appointed depots from day to day, and he would do everything for the committee without profit, paying the best possible prices- for all bottles received. He urged that the executive ought to accept, this generous offer. _AH that remained was to get tho assistance, of the headmasters of the schools. He reported also on the arrangements being, made for sales of poultry and flowers. , A scheme was being' worked up for the sale in tho streets of flags, and tho committeo was prepaied to go ahead- with a badge-selling campaign, with a prize schcmo or art union connected with it, if the general committeo should approve of this idea. Mr. Watkins admitted that his own committee was doubtful'about it. After discussion, the executive decided that the badge art union scheme was not worth while. ' Tho other sciemns were approved, and tho offer of Messrs. Hildroth and Son was accepted.

Mr. Carr reported on- the progress being madowith thegoncral appeal by canvass for subscriptions. Some or tho sub-committees had begun already, and som&* were about ,fco begin. In ~tbo course of a few days they would 1 all bo working,, and the sub-committees m charge of the several blocks into whic<i the city had been divided would, he felt sure, have good results to-show, before long. • The city would be thoroughly ' canvassed. ■ The secretary was instructed to extend an invitation' to Their Excellencies the' Earl and Countess of Liverpool to bo present at the sports on October 7. . The following woro added to ttio general committee:—Messrs. Hodgson, It. Darroeh, Cossgrove, D. Leslie, JL Uphara, L. Partridge, S. Horner, .V. Laurwisbn, Cathie, juiK, and Julius.