THE CALL TO ALL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2944, 2 December 1916, Page 6

THE CALL TO ALL

CITY CAMPAIGN

FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS' CLUB MONEY FLOWING FREELY TORCHLIGHT MARCH AND FIREWORKS. Y.'oeks ago a baud of energetic citizens began work organising for "Returned Soldiers' Days"; yesterday they began work on the public; this evening, and not till this evening, they will finish with the public. What tho committee intends to do is to raise £5000 Tor the Returned Soldiers Club. Tho object is worthy (none more so), the committee is excellent, and tho public —well, it is a Wellington public, so the, chance of success 'is big. Tho campaign began at 8 o'clock yesterday morning, with everything well organised and even the bc'st of weather arranged for. Tho early workers found the City footways studded with now shops, mushrooms of tho night, their; counters laden with flowers, vegetables, sweets, smokes, and so on. Many a man arrived at work with a rose or a cabbage,. and tlie knowledge that he; had given in a good cause. The nine o'clock workers found this new machine for making money in full running order. Few escaped a request to lend a hand, and though many were unprepared for s-uch an early attack tho response was generous. Trams which unloaded at busy stopping places were met by soldiers, girls, and children, with collection boxes. And coin flowed freely. As on somo other occasions, the men of the Commercial Travellers' Club proved to be live wires in the campaign. With their keen business sense they usually hit on something that the people will rush, and therefore the success of their portion , of an undertaking is generally assured before the day arrives. Yesterday they sold surprise packets. Beforehand' their advertisements had made it clear that these packets might ho worth anything from sixpence to fifteen guineas. Here is the result: — There were 10,500 packets to sell. Selling commenced at little after 9 a.m. j At a little after noon the last packet was sold. The income from the packets Was £525—a wonderful three hours' work. Goods representing the value mentioned in the surprise packets were stacked on stalls near tho Bank of Now Zealand, and there the people obtained their prizes. Tho flower stalls did great business throughout tho day. Tho best gardens of tho city contributed freely to tho causo, and tho blooms offered for sale were remarkably fine. The roses, now at thoir best in many gardens, wero exceptionally choice. Those who vended sweets, those who set up in the vegetable business for the d'ay, and those whoso outfits wero collection boxes all found trade good and patrons numerous. Tho ladies worked tirelessly throughout' tho broiling hot day. THE EFFORT OF THE NIGHT. AN EXCELLENT TURN-OUT. Nowadays-torchlight processions frequently occur in 'Wellington, and last night's was one of the finest of them all; maybe it was tho finest. It was over haif. a mile in length, and full of lifo and variety. ". The inevitable quartet of mounted police led the way and cleared the track. Immediately .following them, mounted oh his cream pony, rode Captain Muiiro, chief marshal of tho procession. Tho place of honour was, of course, given to tho Mayor and (Mr. and Mrs. J. IV Luke), who, besides being 'Wellington's chief citizens, have been two of the chief workers in the causo of the returned soldiers. The Mayor and Mayoress received cordial greetings as their ear drove on. Ono of the most striking entries in the procession was that from Potone — a tableau of Britannia surrounded by representatives of tho British nations. It has been seen at former functions, but it is still well worth bringing out again. "A number of small hoys carrying Chinese lanterns added a touch of dainty colour to the show. Tho Harbour Board staffs, the Fire Brigade (with their brass headgear glinting beneath the torches), boy scouts lorries laden with men and girls in costumeall added to tho interest in tho procession. At intervals along the lino hands —Highland, brass, and other—were placed,, and there was no lack of music. A largo body of returned soldiers took part, and almost from end to end of the route they were applauded by tho thousands who thronged the streets. The order of the procession as originally drawn up was: —1, Mounted police; 2, Foatherston Band; 3, Mayor's motor-car; 4, General Secretary's motor-car; 5, secretary procession committee's motor-car; 6, Admiral Jellicoe; 7, Petone 'Workshops; 8, Trontham Baud; '9, Veterans; 10, captured pontoon; 11, returned soldiers; 12, National Reserve; 13, Boy Scouts and Cadets; 14, Bugle Band; 15, AVellington.Fire Brigade; IG, Government Printing Offico staff; 17, Waterside ■Workers' Band; 18, Wellington Harbour Board; 19, Wellington Patriotic Society's Baud; 20, Spinsters' Club Gipsy Band; 21, Mr. Higgs's motor-car; 22, Central Mission Band; 23, Campbell and Burko's motor-car; 24, G.P.O. motorlorries ; 25, N.Z.. Natives' Association Band; 26, Munt, Cottrell's lorries; 27, N.Z. Express Company's lorries. During tho procession the traincars were : divertod to less important routes, and other traffic . took to the back streets of its own accord. Thousands of people flocked into the heart of tho city, and the chief streets wero nearly impassable in places. 1 COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS RAISE £580. Tho Commercial Travellers' Club stated last night that so far' they have raised £580 not. They expect to reach £600. HELP FROM THE CHINESE. The Chinese residents, like tho rest of our, citizens, responded generously to the patriotic calls made yesterday, and the Returned Soldiers' Association acknowledge the following subscriptions:—Y. C. Wing, £2 25.; W. Kee 8r05.., W. Choc . and Co., Sing On Tic, and C. Wall and Co., £1 Is. each; W. Young and Co., .1. W. Wall, Sing On Kee, £1 each; and W. Tong, K. Chong, W. Leo and Co., Ah Chong, and W. Wah, 10s'. Gel. each. FIREWORKS DISPLAY. The procession arrived at the Basin lleservo at about-9 o'clock, awaited by a great crowd, and followed by a greater. A display of firoworks ensued, and generally tho evening passed off very well. Tho bauds, which had taken part in the procession, brightened the proceedings with music, and the crowd seemed to thoroughly enjoy .itself. Collection-boxes -were- much in evidence on tho ground, and no doubt the fund was further swelled. AVhilo many collectors devoted their attention to the crowd. at the Basin Reserve, others remained in tho city, and, aided by performers in fancy costume, they did good business.