MAUNGATAWHIRI VALLEY

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 422, 1 November 1918, Page 1

MAUNGATAWHIRI VALLEY

BED CEOBB EFFORT. Despite the boisterous weather which prevented many from a distance attending, Red Cross Day at Maungatawhiri Valley on Friday, October 18th, was an unqualified success. The hall was tastefully decorated in a red, white and blue design, the flags of the Allied nations being prominently displayed, while nikau palms and other greenery completed a pretty picture. Councillor Keith in opening the proceedings referred to the good cause in which the effort was being made. He urged those present by buying freely to reward the ladies who bad worked so wholeheartedly.

It may be mentioned that when the idea of holding a Bed Cross Day in the district was first mooted a committee consisting of Mesdames Hitle, Pope, Miss Motion (Secretary), Messrs McKenzie (Chairman), Pope, B. Keith and J. Parker was appointed. However it is to the untiring efforts of the Secretary (Miss Motion), supported by a band of lady workers, including; Mesdames McKenzie, Reed, Butler, Lewis and Miss M. Motion (of Maungatawhiri Valley), Mesdames J. Pendergrast and R. McPherson (Pokeno Valley) and Miss Wilson (Mangatangi) that the creditable display of useful and ornamental work was entirely due. The stall-holders, all dressed in the uniform of Bed Cross nurses, were :—Plain stall : Mesdames Butler and Mcllroy. Fancy stall: Mesdames Beed and McKenzie. Surprise Packets : Misses Motion. Sweets: Mrs Appleby and Miss Brown, and Refreshments : Misses Pope and Wilson and Mesdames McPherson and Pendergrast. The Misses Jessie Pope and Moyes superintended the guessing competitions, whilst Messrs B. Keith and Jfope saw to the assembling of live stock for sale.

All branches did a thriving trade, the element of chance making tbe Surprise Packet stall the most popular and the big array of packets being cleaned right out. The following were the winning numbers in the Art Union, viz : Ist prize No. 195, 2nd 284, 3rd 169, 4th 324, sth 333, 6th 338. Stock donated by Messrs McKenzie, Matson, Waller, Buckingham, Bell and J. Caie realised very satisfactory prices, Mr G. Mclnnes officiating as salesman in his usual capable manner. In the evening Mr Mclnnes also disposed of the articles left on the other stalls at prices which proved that the values placed on them by the ladies were altogether too low. With the male sex as the only buyers, lady's lingerie and children's clothing moved off briskly at eminently satisfactory prices. Bachelors especially bought very freely, possibly in anticipation. It is worthy of note that the biggest cheque for the day was from a returned soldier, who apparently recognises the value of Red Cross work.

Referring to the above gathering a Maungatawhiri Valley correspondent writes: "It is to be regretted that the old saw " A man of means is often a mean man" is so well exemplified in the district. We have wealthy ultra-patriots who are constantly killing Germans with their mouths and yet have succeeded in dodging all military and monetary obligations in connection with the war. Without their assistance the handful of sports here, assisted by a few good sorts from Marainarua and Pokeno, have raised the creditable sum of about £450 as the district's contribution to the Bed Cross Fund