RAID ON DINERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 251, 11 July 1918, Page 3

RAID ON DINERS

BIG HAUL FOE THE COPPER TEAIL. A novel idea was carried out tit tho Midland Hotel last evening When a bovy of Indies invaded tho dining-room at the psychological moment to make a polite but.thorough raid for the good of tho Red Cross copper trail. The music of the orchestra was overwhelmed by tho laughter and small talk which accompanied bargaining for coloured toy bnjloons, big bunches of violets, boxes of sweets, and crackers. Everyone filtered into tho spirit of the idea, which was to mako giving a .cheerful pastime-, and poon tho whole room became one big jolly party. Tho ladies quickly sold at fancv prices their attractive stocks, then similarly gave way to "auctioneer' Mr. B. Actoii Adams, who raised "tenners" in all quarters for the trifles lie had to offer. Toy balloons in his hands were found to be valuable souvenirs, only to lie parted with for a good many yards of copper trail laying. Sometimes ho secured as much as teu guineas each for them by discreet encouragement to a feeling of provincial rivalry among tho Ruests. The Hon. W. H. Hemes worthily upheld +bo name of Bay of Plenty, the Hon. A. It. Myers spoke out willingly in guineas for Auckland, -while Mrs. Johnston, of "Highden," Mr. D. W. Dnthie. Mrs. Vivian Riddiford, end Mr. Eric Eiddiford proved good stalwarts—ngnin in guineas—in upholding thp Wellington end of the trail. Fifteen guineas was obtained for a box of sweets made by Miss Joseph. When the chief conspirators in the well-planned raid (Mrs. Hilcy and Mrs. Dnthie) counted up their takings, they found that over -£200 had been subscribed, in this busy hour. Eii.ee patrons had the opportunity of helping the conner trial by "dressing (he soldier," who was placed at an ndmirable strategic point to catch lucky winners of big dividends.