AN APPRECIATION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 21, 19 October 1917, Page 6

AN APPRECIATION

THE "OUR DAY" HELPERS. (By "Sylvius.") "Our Day" was the wrong day as far as weather was concerned. From early morn till blowy ove, it blew one, 'of thoso fierce, low-sweeping, dust-raising, headachy, northerly gales which make one tired of work and almost of life. . . ,

It was just the kimi of day when- people were,not inclined to give. The sky was uniformly grey, and grey dulls the senses just as it deceives the enemy at sea. Anyone inclined to be- grulf or short could do yesterday without feeling any conscience-pricking, and even those whose natural instinct is to be glad felt eome : how or other that "they had given enough!" They could not help it, poor souls. It was the weather that was entirely to blame And what of the helpers, who had to put tho boldest face on it? They realised from 'breakfasttime that theyAvere up against it—the meteorological fates were against, tho freest giving. Still they battled-out with veils on, and hats tied down; they ikept to their beats, inhaled the constantly whirling dust, and jingled their boxes with unfailing vigour, each and overy one of them realising \tliat. the direct appeal, combined with a dusty gale and grey sky, gave tbem.no great chance. Ladies require fine weather to look their best—and that was impossible yesterday. All the more reason why their courage and endurance should be commended. Among the helpers who struggled gamely against the dreadful conditions were the white-starched English Pierrots, who put up a good show on a lorry—if one could only get a convenient spot to leeward to catch an occasional wind-blown' note. On one occasion a sweet little Pierrot was almost blown oil' the lorry by a rude ffiist of wind. Notable help was tendered by the Trentham and Trumpet Bands, who managed to somo extent at least to keep up tho pecker of the nnny of helpers in town. . . . But it was—"Oh. for a warm, still, summer day, blue sky above, mid rain far away!"