For the Servians

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 July 1915, Page 2

For the Servians

BOYS' TIUIMXG FARM. EFFORT. Situated in the tOalkan Peninsula, (surrounded on all sides, except one, by hostile or semi-hostile neighbours, the Servians have borne a manful part in the present European upheaval, and by plying the bayonet vigorously on tiio Austrian flank have assisted their brother Slavs in Russia and enabled the latter to put extra pressure on Germany, and thus in a roundabout way they have helped us. Living in a country where death always is lurking round the corner, and where the rifle is a man's best friend, €he Servians have put up a valiant fight, and cleared their country, but nevertheless have suffered grievously. The picture of the ruin and desolation left after the last Austrian invasion, as described by Mr G. Trevelyan, ol the London Daily News who visited the country in January, is not excelled by anything written of Belgium. But for the 70 transports of provisions and munitions sent up the Danube to them by the Russians the Servians, notwithstanding their bravery, would have suffered more. Since then relief funds have been started an England, Australia, and in several places in tin's country. Some months ago Major Biwlinson, of the Weraroa Boys' Training Farm, conceived the idea of doing something in this district h>__*vssist them, and various schemes wore set afoot, but each time that the scheme decided on came near fruition a fixture of one of the other relief funds clashed with the date fixed ,and the effort for the Servians was postponed from time to time until yesterday afternoon when the bazaar organised by Major Burlinson, the Training Farm staff and the boys was opened in the Century Hall. At the opening ceremony, performed by the Mayor (Mr B. R. Gardener) at three o'clock, there was a fair number of people present. Major Burlinson, in briefly explaining why the bazaar was being held, said that the Servians were the first of the Allies in the field, and had been hard hit by the war and -were badly off. They thought it only right that they should do something to help them. Ho. asked the Mayor to open the bazaar. Tlie Mayor said that be was proud to have the honor of opening the bazaar. ■Most of the goods in the stalls were, the product of the farm and made by the boys. The promoters had been unforturiato in that other .fixtures had clashed with them so often but the bazaar now was an accomplished fact. People were apt to forget the Servians and that they had held up the Austrian forces which othei-wi.se would have been used against Russia, thus giving Russia time to get her troops together, and so helping the Allies. The Servians were good fighters and always (seemed to bo at it, hence things in the country were stopped and tho people were suffering. So far in New Zealand not much had been done for tho Servians; all the efforts had been towards helping the Belgians and making provision for our own men. Ho felt satisfied that the people would d< l all they could to make the bazaar a success, and that a good sum would bo the result. Ho hoped that it would piove an unqualified succcks and had much pleasure in declaring it open.

Airs Gardener congratulated the promoters of the bazaar on its get up; it was a great credit to them. The samples of the boys' needlework were very iine and a credit to them and their teacher, Mre Williams. "With the many other appeals TITo Servians seemed to have been forgoten, and she hoped the bazaar would prove successful.

The five stalls arranged round the hall were stocked with variotts sorts of goods, all of the usei'ii-l kind. Quito a lot have been made at the farm by the boys, and some splendid articles, cushions, knitted work, well-made boots and shoes, etc., could be had at reasonable rates. The produce stall was well stocked with splendid produce grown at the farm, and there was also a fine lot of pot plants, ferns, etc,to chose from. In charge of tho stalls were:—Produce stall, Mre Williams; sweet stall, Miss Allum ; fancy goods stall, Mrs Fitzgerald; men's clothing stall, Miss Carden; ladies' clothing stall. Mrs McFarlane. Tho tea-rooms were in charge of Mrs Hinton and Miss Burns, and Mise Wileou was in charge of the "fishing."

The hal litsell' was decorated nicely with the flags of the Allies, used so well that a fine effect wiifi obtained, and it is seldom that the hall has looked so well. AT NIGHT. At night there was a surprisingly large attendance and it was difficult to move round at all in the crowd. Business at the stalls and in the guessing competitions was brisk, and tho guessing gayo many people more mental exercise ' than they have had for some time. iMost of the latter were announced last niglit, but one or two will be given to-night (it has been decided that the bazaar be opened again to-night). Those decided are: Peae .in a bottle (961), (MLf> Lexett 999; beans in a bottle (557), Mrs Chaplin 533; maize in a bottle (383), Mrs McKarlane 429; nails in a bottlo Ms 9£ Miss Levctfc 399; weight of renter (Blbs sjoz), iMrs J. Prouse 8&»; weigl:t of opossum (41bs 20z.), Mr 8. Wilson .correct weight. The other competitions were many and varied and caused much amusement. The hat trimming competition was won by 0. Hook; men's sawing, W. S'forey; ladies' sawing, Mrs Greathead, and the candle lighting by D. Wilson who succeeded with one match in lighting 43 candles, Miss Smith managing to light 2-1. Everyone who'tried it succeeded in burning their fingers. The emelling competition, weight of caTte, naildriving, etc., will he announced tonight. Mrs Edwards and Mrs Eggleton had charge of the competitions.

In the afternoon and eariy in the evening a little girl was going round selling small packets of "A Cure for 'Love." She must have cleared out all stocks quickly because though some Tvere anxioue to get some of the specific they had to go without and continue suffering. No doubt there will be an extra large supply to-night and young people disappointed last night will bo .able to get a few packets. \ During the evening Father Henry \. ' briefly addressed those present. Ho \ said he was glad to see them there to aid the Servians, who, along, with t, England, France and Russia, were \ fighting for the great" principles of lib- '< erty and honour. Rev. A. -0. Randerson also spoke for a few minutes and said that he was glad to see that the Servians were not being neglected. The war had shown the great loyalty of the people of Great Britain and Ireland. In the afternoon and evening the Boye' Brass Band under Lieutenant Herd played a good many selections. The bazaar will be open to-night from fe 7 o'clock.