A TRIBUTE TO FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 253, 13 July 1918, Page 5

A TRIBUTE TO FRANCE

ArPEAL FOR FKEXCH REFUGEES AND MBNCtt RED CROSS. So deserving was the cause ot New Zetland's !" bule to France that even the elonsv had to smile upon the effort whic i'■ being made in Wellington ycslei,. j to relieve the sultering peopio of i'l'.incc, and all day long cloudless sunshine did its part opening people's hearts and'purses lor the cause. That it was one that commanded sympathy was shown hy the readiness [o give which characterised many of Iho passers-by in the streets, and there were lew who were not decorated with a badge of same kind or another —token I hat they had at least contributed something, and had gained exemption from further pleading. At quite an early hour in the morning stalls decorated with the Tricolour were placed at various points nf vantage m the streets, from-which flowers, badges, produce of all kinds, novelties, sew.ng, vegetables, etc., were sold. Jh aikiUion, Messrs. Harceurt's auction mart was turned into a depot where ail kinds ol goods vero obtainable and tickets sold for taffies, including one for the beautiful divan cover presented .by lira. Jenness, of Lower Ilutt, for that purpose. The French Club, w'ith Mrs. Waters and helpers, were in charge, and they also conducted a stall outside the Post Office, both places doing wonderfully well, .'i great attraction was the coster cartdriven by Mrs.' Gibbuns and inn in conjunction with a stall in charge of Mrs. J. Mvers and ?d.rs. Leicester, while at the Woodward Sheet corner Mrs. liut toll assisted bv Mrs. 0. Ellis and the Misses Van-all and Sullivan, did excellent work collecting money with a L'Yeueh lip.g, lent by Mr. J. Macintosh, French Consul. The lug collection, which realised JG2-1. was held in conjunction with Mrs. Iliclunisc.'.'s stall, and another worker who did •plendid service was Mrs, .Sullivan, v, lio .:old badges. At the Ivelbtini Avenue was stationed Mrs. von Haast, assisted by Mrs. Darling, .Mrs. C. Earle. and other helpers; Mrs. I'reston and Mrs. Gaby (.St. John Brigade Oversea) were at the bank of New Zealand corner; New Zealand -Natives' Association (Mrs. AL'Vicar), Conrtenav_Place; Countess 01 Liverpool Fund, Winters Comer; Soldiers' Mothers and Dependants' League, Boulcott Street. At lite depot were Mrs. Wallace and Mrs. Machtt.

Two very busy people also were Mrs. W. 1 , . Massey (president of the Women's Cominittre Kα- the Tribute to France Appeal), ami Mrs. .1. Hnuau (sceretarj), with Mrs. ,1. CTibbons (treasurer).

As the result of the day's effort a sum of 4:523 has beni taken, and to it has to bo added various r.niall amounts, as well as the proceeds resulting from a couple of rafiles. The amounts handed in by the various stalls were as follow: French Club and Mrs. Waters and helpers, ,£li;G Us. -kl.; Mrs. Richardson's stall, "Woodward Street, £9\ 3s. 35d.; Kelburn Avcmic (Mrs. von Hnast), .£77 Is. i)d.; Mrs. Preston (St. John Ambulance Brigade), .Kl 17s. aid.; Mrs. J. Myers and Coster Cart, JC'iS IBs. 3d.; New Zealand Natives' Association (Mrs. M'Vicar), ,£1? Is;; Soldiers' llothers' League (Mrs. BoWnson). .£37 8.!.; Countess of Liverpool Fund stall, .filG Ss. 3d.; sale of badges at depot, /:G Bs. A very tired, but extremely well-pleas-ed, little Rroiip of workers, including Mrs. W. F. Mas=ey, Mrs'. J. Hnmin, and Mrs. Gibbons, was to be found at the depot in Messrs. Bethune's Buildin? last ovcniiiß counting up the money, the senoral feeling being that it. was a very pleasant tiredness that was accompanied by the knowledge that a |{ood day's work, with but a short time for preparation, had been accomplished. The committee wishes to express its gratitude to the many kind frionds who helped either by donations in money or kind, and by their willing service; to Messrs. Betbuue and, Co. and Messrs. Ili'.rcourt and Co. for the loan of Ihei;- limits ns depots; to the D.I.C. for the decorations of the stalls mid Io Mr. C'iirivell Coolce. who carried them out so effectively; Messrs. Kirkcalilic iind St'iins for a stall; tho Public AVorkfi Department, for loan of stalls; -Mr. Urpush, for ko kindly lending the pony for thp. coster cart; tho llarljour Hoard for loan of •ihed; and Mr. Macintosh for loan of llnif. The fact Hint the

"(■opiKT tvnil" [Pms'ml work for the day and that IW Wellington Ked C'r«« Shop find the AVoi'Jivnrd Street shop did not open owinj; to (115 French .\pnral was greatly nppreciat'.'cl by the connnittee.