RED CROSS APPEAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 378, 24 May 1918, Page 2

RED CROSS APPEAL.

Gathering at Pukekohe. Under the auspices of the Pukekohe branch of the Women's Patriotic League an address in support of the Red Cross fund was given last Monday evening in the Premier Hall by Mr C. F. Bickford (the financial organiser), a concert party from Auckland also taking part ia the proceedings. Unfortunately, however, the attendance was by no means adequate to the occasion. Mr A. B. Barter presided. After the singing of the National Anthem a well executed pianoforte solo, " Caprice Espagnol," was given by Mrs Leslie Neale. Miss Marjorie Harper, who next sang "God Send Tou Back to Me," has a charming voice and delighted everyone. Master Dan Callinan contributed a bell solo, "Garden of Dreams," and so pleased the audience that he had to respond to a recall. The song " Break o' Day" was neatly rendered by Miss Violet Lambert, while a flute solo, " Carnevale di Venezia," by Master Charles Hoffman proved that he was an adept with that instrument. Mrs Leslie Neale's pianoforte solo " Rustle of Spring" was faultlessly executed and the singing of " Garden of June " by Miss Violet Lambert was raptuously listened to. " Humereske," a difficult flute solo, was skilfully executed by Master Charles Hoffman, his technique and finish being faultless. The audience were again favoured with hearing Miss Marjorie Harper who charmed all with her singing of " Until." The concluding item in the musical programme was a bell solo " Rendezvous " by Master Dan Callinan and his playing was highly appreciated. During the interval a collection was taken up in aid of the Red Cross Fund and this with the sale of lollies by several ladies, who attired in Red Cross uniforms, realised altogether over £ls. A s'rong appeal on behalf of the Red Cross was made by Mr C. F. Bickford, who in a graphic way described the Red Cross work carried out in connection with the treatment of the sick and wounded in the many phases of the war. Referring to the large number of casualties the spraker emphasised the need of help. Mr Bickford then detailed the scheme of campaign he had planned for appealing to the various districts for

financial assistance. In this connection he mentioned that Thames County had promised £7OOO, Whakatane £IO,OOO and he hoped to raise £IO,OOO from Frauklin County. Mr Bickford pointed out that the Red Cross was a common cause for the sake of humanity and it needed the co-operation of everyone. The method of campaign was to circularise all throughout the district and to organise a Queen Carnival and Stock Drive. With the co-opera'ion o! Auc'i meering and Stock Agency firms gifrs of live an<l

lead stock would be invitod and

when collected would b 1 ? sold by audi m and tho money thus securrd would go towards the le'pective County Fund. There whs need for a centralisation of effort and he asked all to " Think big, talk big and give b : g " He mentioned that arrangement would be made to enli-t. tliH practical hel.i of all towards tho raising of £IO,OOO in Franklin <\>in f y hj' the appoint mon »f an exoci ive who woull carry out the dftsils of the cam paign. The appoal by Mr Bickford and his ffining addns* made a great impnvs-iion on t h« audience and his advic > to '■ think big" and to " giv < bi(4 " will, it is hoped, be acted on when the cimiaign opens