A GOOD EFFORT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3296, 4 August 1943, Page 6

A GOOD EFFORT

UGLY MAN COMPETITION £239 FOR PATRIOTIC FUND WIN FOR “TIGER” JACK McNEIL For the past two or three weeks Coromandel has been the scene of considerable activity as a result of which a record sum has been raised for the 1943 All-Purposes Patriotic Appeal. Photographs of the “Ugly Men” candidates have been on view all over the town and the various committees working for each candidate have not let the grass grow under their feet. On Friday night at the- carnival dance in St. George’s Hall great excitement prevailed when the figures were displayed on a blackboard, giving the numbers of votes held by each candidate. Just before midnight the crowd assembled in front of the board watching the fight for first place and incidentally the winning “Ugly man,” “Tiger” Jack McNeil led, followed by Paul Murphy, a close second; just before 12 o’clock Murphy forged ahead, but right at the last minute “Tiger Jack” recaptured the The candidates were the following: Hospital Candidate, “Tiger” Jack McNeil.’ Wicked Capitalists’ Candidate.— Paul Murphy. Kounty Kandidate.—Jim Quist. Businessmens’ Candidate. —Pat Lillis. Public Services Candidate.—A. R. King. Boy Scouts’ Candidate. —D. H. Knight. Oddfellows’ Lodge 'Candidate.—Eric Gamble.

These votes represented £239 15s Id. After the results had been announced “Tiger” Jack McNeil thanked all those who had supported him and. also his committee particularly the Hospital staff who had worked so hard with such good results. Mr C. C. Rae, chairman of the 'Coromandel County Council, spoke a few words, congratulating the candidates and committees for the fine effort, which, as all knew was started and kept well alive by Dr. Birkinshaw. He called for three cheers for Dr. Birkinshaw who was the originator of the competition and the motive power behind the whole effort. Three rousing cheers were given for the doctor who replied by saying that he had had all the fun while others had done all the work, “which of course,” he added, “was just as it should be.” (Laughter.) Messrs P. Murphy and J. Quist also thanked their supporters, and the former commented on the clean fight and the friendly spirit which had been present throughout the campaign. The three winners were duly presented with certificates certifying to their 'being the first, second and third ugly men on the Peninsula. A very large crowd attended the dance and spent an enjoyable evening. - The music was supplied by Mrs E. M. Lucas (piano), George Nicholls (drums), and extras were supplied by Miss Lillis and Miss McLellan. Coffee and sandwiches were served ,1 by the ladies of. the Patriotic Committee and helpers. The sum of £lB 17s Od was taken at the door. During the evening Mrs, Lynn, chairman of the Coromandel Patriotic Committee intimated that' the Grand Patriotic Concert which had been postponed would be held in three weeks;’ time, and asked all to remember the date and patronise, the function which would also be in aid of patriotic funds. A spot waltz was won by Mr and Mrs G. Thwaites and a Monte Carlo by Miss 'Pat Hawkeswood and Gnr. D. Adams. Dancing continued until 2 a.m.

Transport.—H. V. Denize. The results were as follow: Votes “Tiger’’ Jack McNeil — —. 17,532 Paul Murphy — 15,179 Jim Quist — — — 8,858 Pat Lillis' — — — — — 4,860 A. R. King — — — 4,050 D. H. Knight — — — 3,315 Eric Gamble — 2,703 H. V. Denize — — — 1,044 Total — —- —- —- — 57,541