" Our Day" At Ohau.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 25 October 1917, Page 3

" Our Day" At Ohau.

HANDSOME FINANCIAL RESULT,

There is no aspect of the world j war more worthy and inspiring than the relief work and fundraising activities of the women of the Empire. Whether it be in the great city, or in the small rural centre, the one spirit is found animating the community in regard to patriotic effort, and the latest instance in this district proves that there is no weariness in welldoing, whether it be amongst the self-sacrificing women, who work, or the generous-hearted public which pays. Ohauobserved "Our Day " yesterday, and the approximate re-

sult was that a sum in the neigh-

bourhood of £100 was raised for that great and beneficial institution, the British Red Cross. For a community such as Ohau, of limited size and resources, such an achievement is worthy of the highest commendation. The ladies had only been working a few weeks, but when their sale of produce and work opened yester-

day afternoon, it was very evident that they had laboured at high pressure. The body of the hall was arranged as impromptu bazaar, the women's stalls being controlled by the following : — Cake Stall —Mrs Sharman, Miss E. McLeavey, and Mrs Neil Campbell. Meat Stall —Misses Saint and Rolston. Produce Stall —Mrs A, McLeavey, Miss Kebbell, and Miss Marjorie McLeavey. Sweets —Mrs Hanson, Miss F. Hanson, Mrs Sheargold, and Miss Curtis. Tea Rooms —Mrs J. McLeavey, ! Mrs Powles, Mrs Woods, Miss Harker, Miss Radford, Misses M. and A. Olsen. Early in the afternoon the secretary of the Red Cross Guild, Mrs Kebbell, introduced Mr Blenkhorn in a few words, and the Mayor, in a brief speech, declared the sale open. He eulogised Ohau's ready patriotism and open-handed generosity in war work, and warmly commended the ladies for the effort they were making. Mr A. McLeavey moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Mayor, and this was carried by acclamation.

Thereafter business commenced and went on briskly while there was anything to sell, or until the last available coin wasimpounded.

In the evening a short concert added interest to the sale. Miss Muir played a piano overture. Mr H. J. Jones sang two comic songs with good laughter-producing results. Mr John Brown sang " The Long, Long Trail," and Mr Howard Andrew " The Coming of the King." Charming variety was added to the programme by the dainty dancing of the little Misses Reina and Ngaire Lemmon. Miss Reina's contributions were " The Melody of Love," and " Cupids." And her sister " The Dance of the Cuckoos," and an Irish jig. Their graceful movements charmed the audience, and they were warmly applauded. Later the little folk recited with equal success, Miss Ngaire giving " They Never Quarelled," and Miss Reina "The Tale of a Fairy." Mrs Lemmon played the accompaniments. That versatile entertainer, Mr Les Scott, of Farland's Pictures, completed the programme with an exposition of conjuring and legerdemain that quite astonished and mystified the audience. All his feats were cleverly and cleanly done, and Mr Scott, in response to general desire, added an exhibition of stepdancing to his contribution that was warmly applauded. Mrs Neil Campbell played the incidental music for the dancing. Mrs Nation played the rest of the accompaniments, and her willingly-rendered musical services are greatly appreciated at Ohau.

Altogether, the day was a most successful one, and the ladies who so laboured with so much devotion reached the end of their effort thoroughly tired, but with the consciousness that they had fully done their part in the ' Our Day " movement. The committee was as follows : Mesdames J. McLeavey, J. Hanson, T.McLeavey, Sharman, Wood, Powles, J. Brown and Milne, Misses Harker, Radford, Kebbell, Boyer, Rolston, Saint, and Olsen (2). Mrs Kebbell was secretary of the committee. The hall committee gave the use of the hall free of charge for the sale.

A London cable says that the " Our Day " collections there realised a million sterling, exclusive of the street collections.