THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO With which is incorporated "The Kaipara Advertiser & Waitemata Chronicle." Helensville, Thursday, May 13, 1915. THE BELGIAN FUND.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 13 May 1915, Page 2

THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO With which is incorporated "The Kaipara Advertiser & Waitemata Chronicle." Helensville, Thursday, May 13, 1915. THE BELGIAN FUND.

Much to our regret the Echo has to draw public attention to the fact that Helensville is not doing the right thing towards helping the purchase of the Lindauer Collection of Maori pictures for the Auckland Province, in not contributing its share, or, in fact, any portion of it. As the small amount asked for to go towards the purchase, the amount of .£IO,OOO to be donated towards the Belgian Relief Fund, it was expected that a quick and ready response would have been forthcoming, and it is very regrettable that Helensville is so far behind other centres in this respect. But perhaps there is a certain amount of latitude to be allowed. When the subject was brought up in Town Board assembled the other day, after receipt of a letter from the Belgian Consul (Mr Robert Burns),' the Board deciding that it had no funds to spare, one of their Commissioners (Mr A. Becroft) was appointed to arrange for a public all-round collection, and that is all we heard about it until this week, when Mr Stringer (Town Clerk) informs us that subscription lists for the purpose are held by Mrs Oxley, Miss Becroft, Mr R. Screaton (storekeeper), J, A. Ward (hairdresser), and the three hotelkeepers. Mr A. Becroft's former management in collecting a goodly sum of money some months ago for the Belgian Relief Fund, in getting the young ladies and children to organise a house-to-house canvass, was so successful that we were under the impression a similar method would be adopted this time. However, the public now know, tbrouft'li this medium for the first time, where they can contribute their big or little mite, as the case may be, but for our part, experience goes to show that busy people—in stores and pubs—are apt to forget to ask their customers for subscriptions of tfny kind, therefore the well disposed and generous amongst us must make the best of it, and remember for themselves where they can make their contributions.