THE HOSPITAL FUNDS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8356, 17 February 1913, Page 8

THE HOSPITAL FUNDS

A GENEROUS RESPONSE. SATURDAY AND SUNDAY COLLEO TIONS. The appeal of the Hospital authorities on “Hospital Saturday and Sunday” was very successful, the anticipations of the promoters being more than realised. Fine weather favoured the collectors, who got to work early on Saturday morning. There was a kindjly feeling displayed by the public towards the project, with the result that the labours of the collectors were ren 'dered very pleasant. The principal collections on Saturday were!

, This sum will be augmented by th* contents of half-a-dozen boxes which have yet to be handed in, besides several outstanding subscriptions, and tbs Boxes from, the various hotels. Last year the street collections amounted to £2lB. Some of the collectors .commenced operations at 7.3 Q a.m. on Saturday, and enthusiastic workers carried ! on their duties until 10 p.m. From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. those of the Wellington nursing staff that couldjio spared lent their aid. Sixpenny pieces i predominated. There was only one box in which, the proverbial buttons wore found-five, of them in this instance. A seafaring man who contributed a sovereign in mistake for a shilling, increased his donation to 2s 6d on promise of the return of the remaining 17s 6d. This he will get back. A woman who gave a sovereign in mistake will also have returned to her nineteen shillings; It is eighteen months since a street collection was made for the hospital, when there was a special appeal, and £698 was subscribed. No special appeal was made this year, because last Christmas the puolifc sent shout £125 in free-will donations, given _ mostly by tradespeople. Moreover, it is only four months since “Ambulance Day’.’ made a call on the public’s generosity. On Saturday refreshments were provided to collectors at stations in their vicinity -by Messrs Fairbairn (Occidental 1 Hotel), Griffin (Pier Hotel), and J. Godber, the latter forwarding large supplies from his several cafes. Mr* Elton, assisted by Miss J. Renner, had charge of the refreshments at the board’s offices in Marion street. The chairman of the board, Mr J. Trevor, Mr J. Godber' (chairman of the hospital committee), Air H. Baldwin (treasurer), and Mr F. (T. Moore, a member of the board, rendered valuable assistance throughout the day. The whole of the campaign was conducted by the hospital staff, under the able control and organisation of the board’s secretary,' Mr J. Coyle. Yesterday afternoon three bands, Wellington City, Jupp’s, and the Tramways, gave a combined programme at Newtown Park. “The Garland of Flowers” was played in memory of-the Antarctic heroes. There was a large attendance of the public, although the enjoyment of tbo afternoon was somewhat marred by a stiff northerly wind. "The collection at the Park amounted to £42 8s 7d, against £66 9s 6d last year. The Salvation Army collected £5 3s 6d. Tne Waterside Workers’ Band played at Day’s Bay yesterday, and the Miramar Band at Scatoun. Their boxes have not yet been opened. It is anticipated that the collections altogether will amount to about £4OO, which with the Government subsidy of 24s in the £, will bring the grand total to about £BBO.

£ s. d. Streets 209 5 53 Chinese residents 70 3 6 Subscriptions sent .. 34 6 8 Total ... £313 15 7i