CHRISTMAS GIFT FUND

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2895, 6 October 1916, Page 6

CHRISTMAS GIFT FUND

■■ _ 4 FINAL COMMITTEE MEETING Tho final meeting of the committee of tho Associated Sports Bodies, who are in charge of the Soldiers' Christmas Gift Fund, was held last night. Mr. C. G. Wilson presided. A cheque for £100 was reoeived from Thompson Bros., Ltd., on behalf of the firm and clients, in lieu of Christmas .donations. Another cheque for £70 was received from tho Savage Club, being half tho gross profits of tlio "ladies' night" given by tho club recently. Both announcements were received with applause, and each jvas acknowledged with a vote of thanks.

All tho committee chairmen reported that arrangements were -well in hand. Mr. Watkins reported that the canvass of the streets by collection boxes and sale of flowers and badges on Saturday had been fully arranged for. A strong baud of young' lady helpers had promised to assist, but tho city was a big one,to cover, aud ho would bo glad rf more would offer their services.

It was announced also that the Highlaud dancers and pipers in Wellington would assist with the' street collection. Acknowledgment was made also of tho donation of £30 from the proceeds of tho opening day of tho new Marble Bar iu Willis Street, and-it was decided that a letter of thanks bo sent to the directors. Mr. M. Carr said that the Norwoods had promised to give a show free on Monday night in aid of tho fund if the Opera House were given free. Ho stated-that tho rent of tlio theatre had boon remitted, and the only cost to tho committee -would bo for the theatre staff and other ,running expenses. It was hoped that the receipts would bo good and the profits considerable. The aidoovaf v a party of voluntary helpers, members of the executive, .would bo given to look after tho. front of tho houso arrangements that night.

The secretary reported that ho had in. hand £830 in cash. Mr. Watkins announced also that some 30,000 bottles had been collected. The chairman said that bo hoped that tho total amount raised in Wellington would approximate to £2000. His idea was that enough money would be raised by the Sports Bodies to give tho Mayoress 6ufnciont' to onablo her to provide for all soldiers' Christmas gifts and Christmas dinners for the soldiers' in training without making another appeal to the public. "I don't think thero is a man in Wellington," ho said, "who does not admiro our Mayoress—(hear, hear) —and I aui very glad to see the Sports Bodies swinging behind such a fine little womaii." (Applause.)

Later Mrs._ liuko was called in to the meeting to give some information about the parcels', and she was given a most hearty reception. The members of tho committee sang "For Sho's a Jolly Good Fellow," and gavo three clieers for tho Mayoress and one for ' tho Mayor. A GENEROUS OFFER. SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY PROFESSOR NORWOOD. Professor Norwood has mado arrangements to give an additional pcrfbrmanco at tho Opera House on Monday; next, tho whole of the proceeds of which, (except the bare cost of production) will bo given to the Mayor's fund for providing Christmas gifts for soldiers at the front. MARATHON HANDICAP. Following-'are tho handicaps dealared for the Seven-mile Handicap,' to be run from the Basin Reserve on Saturday as an item on the programme of tho Christmas Gift Fund sports fete:— W. Scatchard, scr.; P. Harvey, lmin.; W. Donaldson, lmin.; Drummdnd, lmin. 25sec.; H. Mio, lmin. 25sec.;, Hoverd, lmin. 35sec.; Dentice, lmin. 45sec.; C. Turnbull, 2min. 45sec.; F. Hodson, 3min.; C. Cummins, 3min.; C. AVillis, 3min.; T. Collins, 3min. 15sec.; F. Harlen, 3min. 3osec.; A. Wilson, ■lmin.; Edwards, 4min. losec.; G. A. Shaw, 4min. 30sec.; D. Hay, smin.; W. Calvert, smin. 25sec.; S. Waters, smin. 30sec.; G. Dixon, smin. 35sec.; B. Steptoe, • 6min. R. Stcptoe, 6min. 30scc.; Harlison, 6min. dosec.; F. Cummins, 7min. 30sec.; C. Caddiek, Bmin. losec.