RETURNED SOLDIERS' DAY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2943, 1 December 1916, Page 8

RETURNED SOLDIERS' DAY

THE MAYOR'S REQUEST

"NONE HAVE A GREATER CLAIM"

TO-DAY'S ARRANGEMENTS

Last evening the Mavor of Wellington (Mr. J. P. Luke) made the following appeal to citizens to assist in tho' Returned Soldiers' Day movement. Tho Mayor is among those who have worked hard to pave the way for success, and this is his request:— • "Respecting tho appeal for the returned soldiors, it is one that must interest not only citizens here, but people further afield than Wellington. A Soldiers' Club provides necessary social and business facilities for the men back from the war. It provides a place where the men. can feel thoroughly at home. Tho clubf being centrally situated, affords a unique .opportunity of doing a great ser vice to the soldiors. Although the club is central, and well equipped, it cannot get along without a considerable amount of money On I'riday and Saturday an effort is to *be made to raise a sum of £5000 ■which amount is absolutely necessary. "As Mayor of tho city, I feel sure that the generosity of the citizens can be relied on for this cause, and that the. sum needed will be raised. I am sure none have a greater claim on tho people ?,"-, returned soldiers have. Everything points to success, and, as president of the organisation which is making the appeal, I wish to mention the loyal services rendered by tho committees and the hou. sec. (Mr. Stott). Tho women of the city, too, havo assisted in a very whole-hearted manner." ARRANGEMENTS FOR TO-DAY AND TO-MORROW A BIG PROGRAMME. ' Those who have tho welfare of the returned soldier at heart will havo an opportunity of proving their generosity to-day and to-morrow, when they will be asked to give for the good work of putting the Returned Soldiers' Club on a _ sound financial basis. The appeal will bo mado by many attractions which have boon arranged. There will be fifteen stalls in the streets, and theso are all expected to return handsomo profits. ■ At night there will be a torchlight procession, I for which some spectacular displays have been prepared. Tho procession will be worth seeing; tho cominitteo I. realising that crowded streets mean a substantial collection. On arrival at tho Basin Reserve there will be a fireworks display. On Saturday afternoon a big gala will be held at the Basin Reserve, .when there will be sports, sideshows, and competitions of every description, and a boxing display bv "Tim" Tracey- (retired middle-weight champion) and his pupils. A specially interesting item will be a display by men from tho Trcntham Camp. The men will arrive at tho Te Aro Station about 2 p.m., and march with their band to the Reserve. A team of bayonet fighters will givo a display,' and other squad items have been arranged. The troops will also be allowed to take part in tho sundry races and competitions. The military and City bands will also assist. All arrangements are now complete, and it only remains for the public to be in a generous mood. That should be assured, considering how worthy the object is. After the procession to-night admission to the Basin Reserve will be ■ free, but to-morrow afternoon a charge of 6d. will bo made for adults, children being admitted free. SURPRISE PACKET SCHEME. One of the most attractive schemes for gathering in shillings is one that owes its origin to the Commercial Travellers' Club; This'will'take the form of selling "surprise ■ packets" at one shilling each, and the buyer, however unlucky, will, at least, receive goods to the value of sixpence. For the last ten days the Commercial Travellers have been busy at work on their scheme, and to-day and tomorrow their efforts should be reward-, ed. Warehousemen havo been canvassed for goods, and the travellers have been sorting and arranging the varied collection of donations, which range from a sewing machine valued at £15 15s. to ladies' hair-combs. The\Commercial Travellers' Clubroom last evening resembled a jumble sale in a large departmental store. Goods of many kinds were scattered on ' the floors, and a number of helpers were busy packing tho prizes. All tho goods are useful, and their value is not below the sum guaranteed on tho envelope, but in a large majority of cases they will be found to be of greater value than one shilling. The big prizes are of a high quality, and their value amounts to pounds.' Tho first prize is a drophead sewing machine that is priced at £15 ]ss. There aro also a pair of diamond ear-rings valued at £10. and a pendant valued at £4 10s. There are two sea-grass easy chairs, eacli valued at £3 3s. Threo electric irons' are also prizes. A motor-car horn, 'a model yacht, ladies' handlings, and a garden hose are to bo won, besides a score or more things worth considerably more than ten shillings. Ladies' dress lengths, besides hats, underwear, blouses (silk and other materials), toilet preparations, and silver and enamel jewellery are also prizes. For men there are suit lengths, motor-coals, hats, ties, collars, shirts, and other wearing apparel. For the housohold there aro "as mantles and electric-light globes. There are ninety-four three and sixpenny novels by leading authors, rolls of music, writing-pads, and hundreds of packets of Three Castles and Regent cigarettes. A largo supply of sausages, butter, ten, tinned meats, etc., wili also be included. Purchasers of "packets" on presenting the tickets to the stallholders at tho Bank of New Zealand corner will receive their prize. This is the only place of distribution, but "packets" will bo sold by young ladies at the various stalls. All the prizes have been donated, ami all the work necessary for carrying out tho scheme successfully has been done by the commercial travellers. In response to appeals in tho newspapers, Mr. Stott has already received eheoues from tho following:—Hon. W. TL Hcrries, £50: Hon. J. Allen, £10 • Hon. A. L. Hordman, £1 Is.:' and Dr' G. Auson, £2 2s.