CAMP CONCERTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3006, 17 February 1917, Page 5

CAMP CONCERTS

URGENT NEED FOB FUNDS. •' The Camp Entertainment Committee, which represents tho Y.M.C.A., Victoria League, x\.ew Zealand Association, Salvation Army, and l\omau Catholic and Church of England Societies, organised over 200 concorts at Trentham in •J9IG, and now that very few private motors are olferinor it costs about =£300 a year.to transport the. performers to and from Trentham. Tho performers cannot make use of the train service because there are no trains from. Trentham when the. concerts are over. In order to continue giving these concerts which, are highly enjoyed by the men, the committee appeals to tho public of Wellington for free motors, monthly instalments in lieu of motors, or for donations. The trustees of the fund are Mrs. Coleridge and Mr. E. Darrock, ajid their bankers are the National Bank. In support of the fact that these concerts are thoroughly enjoyed, tho following letter has been received by Mr. E. Darroc-h from the chaplains at Trentham Camp:—

"Sir,—Wo understand from you ."that further funds, are needed to finance the camp concerts. Indeed, the balance-sheet which-you forward tells its own tale. The concerts have become such a recognised feature of camp life, - and . are so ffluch appreciated that wo feel suro that the public, who have always been such generous supporters of camp institutions, will furnish the necessary funds as soon as the need is explained to them. "With regard to your remark that several prominent men have told you that the concerts are unnecessary, a.nd that the money could bo spent in better ways, wo can assure you that the. concerts are as highly appreciated as ever, and the best talent procurable has a more sympathetic, • appreciative, 'and grateful audience than could be gathered in any other centre in the- Dominion. It is a fat? that the men are far keener judges ot what is really; sroodjthan any outsider would suppose. We thank you, therefore, for doing your best to keej> the JOncerts at a high pitch of excellence, and feel sure that you will continue to do so. • "We cannot close without expressine our sincere gratitude to the D^Horinc -1 ; themselves, and to those who, like your- ! self and thi» public, have made their efforts. passible in the past. We trust the public will see that the future is equally well catered for—Wo- are, sir, wits' faithfully and obliged (Mi). N." B. Maloney, Capt. Roman Catholic Chaplain; A. J. Seamer, Capt. Methodist Chaplain; A. Gray, Capt. Salvation Army Chap™n; Scott. Cist. Presbyterian Chaplain; and H. F. I'racey, Col. Church of England Chaplain." The first balance-sheet of the committee's operations shows that on November 1. 191G, there was a credit balance of c£24 9s. Id.