SOLDIERS DAY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 17, 25 April 1916, Page 5

SOLDIERS DAY.

THE SPEECHES.

HON. JAS. ALLEN’S ADDRESS. ON THE SHOW GROUND. Mr I). J. Malone, Chairman of the Carnival Committee, on behalf - of the Committee, extended the Hon. Jas. Allen a hearty welcome to the town.

The object of the carnival was to raise money for the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund. There was no greater or worthier object than this, and ho imped when the money was counted that evening that there would be a large sum to place to the credit of the War Relief Association.

Captain J. B. Hine, M.P., in introducing the Minister, said he was the one man of New Zealand who had control of Defence matters. He admired the Hon. Jas. Allen for the way in which he had carried out his duties. In his position he had had to stand a good deal of pin-pricking, not for the best purposes of the Empire, but to bring the man down. They would find out at a future date what a huge work Mr Allen was doing. New Zealand had sent fifty thousand men away without any trouble. The transports had been guarded ships of the New Zealand and Australian Navies, and he was proud to say that not one life had been lost on sea. They should guard against civil interference with defence matters, of which there was too much. Speaking as one who knew, he said no parents need be afraid to send their sons into camp.

The Hon. the Minister thanked Captain Hine for the kind way in which Tchad spoken, and went on to say ho did not mind the pin-pricks in the least. All the Government was out to do was to fulfil its obligations to the men who had gone away and to the Imperial Government, and if the Government did that the country would be satisfied when the war was over. New Zealand had, it was true, sent away, with those now in training, 50,000 of the best oi its youth. Ho knew that there were many present who had suffered keen loss, and he knew how they mourned the loss of the boys who were left on the Peninsula. Naturally,- the people’-, thoughts were going back to Gallipoli 'dm account of the celebrations of the season during the last few days. U was a time t?o recall the old story with a sense of hope and consolation. Ir h'ad beeh said of the Great One “He died to save others.” The men who had left New Zealand’s shores had not gone for their own sakes, but to save others; to save the women and children, their homes and the Empire. There was also consolation in the rest of the story which was known of so many years ago, which those who gave up their sons and brothers might' well remember; Those who had gone into the fighting line had done so willingly and voluntarily, and now the Government wanted more men. Surely they would not like to bo put iu a class in which they were compelled to do their duty? He was sure that while there was time they would enlist , and be put on the-same footing as the others who had gone. Life would he valueless if the men did not embrace the opportune, ity. If our men failed when the opportune time came, would life be: worth; living to them? The Empire was worth saving, and we must contribute out share. ’ There was no more noble life than that of the good soldier and nc more honorable death than that of hi nr: who died for his country. He was sorry he could not be in Stratford or the morrow to .celebrate Anzac Day, bub he had other engagements. The word “Anzac” meant the “Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.” That name would be written in the history of New Zealand, and of the Empire, and not only that, but in the history of the world. They were proud of the men who fought at Anzac, though they had not achieved their object. They were proud of the men who did theii duty and answered the Call. Many ot their dear ones remained on the Penm sula hut they would reverence the ground. The Peninsula would be hallowed ground even to our alien enemies. He knew everybody read the stories of Anzac and Suvla Bay with regret and pride. The men who ? d fought and diejd at Gallipoli had oclone so for their own sake, but lor the sake of others. The men who went now would not he able to claim service at Anzac, hut there was other ground to capture, and the invitation was extended to them to go and keep up the traditions of the race. He was told thfit for farannld’s 15th Reinforcements there were fifty infantrymen short. There I was only a few days in which to find 1 the men, and it should not he allowed ! to be said that Taranaki, which had ' done so well in the past, could not find the required number of men. In .iter I times, he was sure it would not hi 'said that Taranaki had sent one reinforcement a single man short, f --D had every reason to he proud of what they had done. Those who had to -stay at home ought, as part of vheir duty to assist in enrolling the men no 'ought to be at the front. They should not leave one little committee or local authority untouched. New Zealand had 50.000 at the front, and as the war continued men would he lost, wounded and laid up by sickness. 1 hey had to have men to fill up their comrades’ places, and it was the duty of the men oi , military age to.come forward and fill tip i those places. There was consolation for the mothers'and fathers in the fact that if the greatest of all sacrifices was paid, the lives of their hoys womd be lost in honor and thc>v would he buried iu a glorious grave. The spirit of fho men remained behind, and communion remained behind. This ..is closer and more hallowed than the association of the earth. H the men departed from this life elsewhere, the spirit remained ; that was a great consolation. He hoped the movement to raise money for the Wounded Soldiers

I would be a great success. One of the least duties the ip.ooplo ju home could ' undertake was to raise funds for the 1 use of the sick and wounded soldiers, tie was pleased to assist in the move-, inent, and also to have the opportunity of seeing tits veterans, the cadets (who would he the citizens and soldiers of .he future), and the mounted men jtwhose comrades had gone and many of | whom also wished to go). The .great | lesson the hoys would learn from the. | war was not always to think of self, j | The man in the trenches did not think' I of himself, hut of the man alongside* 4 him, of his company or his division; of, I Npw Zealand and of (lie Empire, ido l | hoped that out of the great self-saeri- | lice shown by theirAbates' there would } I arise the lesson to them all to lend j I brighter and better lives. (Cheers and ,

I 1 applause;). I !N TH £„TOWN HALL. THE DUTY OF ENLISTMENT. I During an interval at the big picture I entertainment which Mr Fred Foioy had arranged as a wind-up to the day’s proceedings, the Hon. Jas. Allen, who I was, present with a party of friends, again kindly spoke by special request of tlie committee, and gave a brief but stirring recruiting appeal. The Mayor (Mr .T. W. Boon), briefly introduced .Mr Alien and j a hearty welcome to Stratford. The Minister (whoh was loudly applauded.-)*,* said it was the-first time he had* Spoken i to a Stratford audience in tji.qt and he d to .See so "many Kodplrt ipresept.: -He announced that the sili’tfrishield' presented by Mr >F. Foley, of jHis( Majesty’s 'Theatre, for the best cadet corps' on'the ground on Soldiers' Day had ' been ,wnn by ; Jfo, 112 Company, Stratford District High School Cadetff. The ‘shield would be presented io the Corps the next time it assembled ; he was sorry he would not have tlie honor of making the presentation, as lie would'like to"have done.- He. had that evening received a message from Ansae Hospital, asking him''to j send a message from New Zealand to 1 lie read on Anzao Day. If he.diad nak-ij od everybody in Now Zealand what message .should have boon sent, they j w nil Id shy, Everything that is good, and wishing them all success in their new undertaking.. In , Nqw Zealand,;■ they, were feeling the time of stress,(.less than in any other part of the I'hnpiro. Their first duty was to sed’tliat 'Tlie men who had been sent away wet'e.pfpperly supported by reinforcement;;. Tills necessitated sending away 2300’ men every four weeks. A whole division comprised of New Zealanders and officered by New Zealanders, had been formed, and this required extra men to be sent away to kocip. it up to its full strength. At the commencement of the war, Lord Kitchener said they would have to be prepared for throe years of war, and he wanted a certain number of men, and he wanted that number kept up all the time. The New Zealand Army had to be kept up, to its full strength. Another twelve or eighteen months of war had to lie prepared tor. When the mounted men in Egypt had been asked if they would serve in any arm of the service in which they were required, they had answered in the affirmative. He wanted the men who enlisted in New Zealand to follow the same fine example and serve in the arm in which they I were required. The Mounted, A.S.C., j and other Corps were full, and they had | enough men offering for months to | come in these units. They wanted j men for the infantry, and it uas the in- j

Ifnntrymnn that was required. Sqmpeople were crying out for central CiUVipß as a stimulant. They .should not want a stimulant when they considered the Flag they were fighting for and their Empire , and when they Avert' pleading for the weaker Nations. He was looking forward to the time and hoped it Avonld he soon—when the men would complete the work commenced in Egypt, and they would return home. If they failed under the voluntary syster in Ne\v Zealand to get the men they must bring in- another system by which the required,- number of men wop Id he obtained. (Applause). Mr Boon proposed a vote of-thanks to Colonel Allen for speaking at the Hall and at the Grounds. The motion Avas carried by acclamation. Three cheers for ;he.hoys avlio fought at Gallipoli and who are at the front folloWbcl. - . ,

ij The following is the message received ' | from rangements are being made here for a great memorial service to be lielcl at the Anzac Hostel, Soldiers’ Club, early lon the morning of Ansae Day, after which wc will decorate the graves with flowers. There will be an appropriate military ceremony, and wo will appreciate a suitable message from New Zealand to be read at the service.—Officer Commanding Now Zealand Depot, Cairo.” Colonel Allen despatched the followI ing message in reply: “Anzac Day will j he appropriately celebrated throughout NoA- Zealand. Will be pleased Jf y'oii { will' convey to all aflotultiig 'flic AnemorriiAl isorviee at Anzac Hostel and else'’where in Egypt onr faith in the soldiers . df! the Allied m-mi@gnni- w <^^Bnination to support to ml•evs who have our sympathy with those who are lost, and onr hopes that the sick and wounded may soon he completely restored to health. Anzac Day 1 will never be ioi*|;otteii, but' wc look forward with full confidence to the j dawn of another and. a brighter day, ( which should crown with success the work begun on that day.—J. Allen,' I M blister for Defence.” , } v . j During the afternoon a troupe of | Maori girls,'.attired in khaki dresses, I gave a.short performance of songs and dances before the grand stand. in I Welcoming the Maoris, Colonel Allen ( referred to the .Maoris fine work in the j I war. There were 'Still, however, morej qf their men who could go to iho frbnt. 1 ,He t-lsdsC* 1 present, on the’i Pxccllenr wbrlv’ thdy vferc doing. sob ! , . '"’.'l t I'Zt-ir' 2 ’* ! -J HiCbHkAlvir#vteNTS-. Fling, hoyslG—W. Orr J, J. Ferguson 2. ; Fling* girls 16.—Miss McGiashau i, | Miss E. Meston 2, Miss ISt. Adams .*3. j Fling, girls under 12 years.—M. j Adams 1, S'. Ferguson 2. Piping, open.—A. Kirkpatrick 1, J. i Wado-2, D. Sutharland 3. Fling, boys under 12 years.—Tcrgu- | son 1. ' Fling, open.—J. Wade 1, W. Orr 2. j Hornpipe.—J. Bonner 1, J. Wade 2. ♦ I

GENERAL NOTES. The great success achieved hv the Soldiers Day promoters 4 is-»_hu’gely attributable to organisation. The Chief Organiser and'Manager of the Garnira 1 was Mr D. ■( .Malone, who did a tremendous amount of -work; and did not spare himself at all in doing it. Mr llohert Masters as Honorary Secretary, also is to he congratulated on his special efforts. There v.oro

very many ol course, who did much to it is certain that a hotter Manager and Secretary than Messrs Malone and Masters could not have been chosen. Mosdames Curtis, Moon and Morison wore the Judges in the Decorated |Car Classes, and Mosdames Morison, Masters and Patterson were judges in the Children’s Classes. in the Children’s Glasses, Hiss Alger’s decorative cart (yellow and white butterflies was first, and M iss •Peters’ second . with red. wh\te and blue. Master Martin’s rickshaw gained third. A groat deal of work had been put into these exhibits. In the'class for Decorated Animals, Master Rive It gained first with bis bell-,, dog and gun-carriage. Best Fancy Dress, Mgs Ashton was first,and 'Miss Croft second. Children’s Tricycle: Miss M. Malone first. Adults: Miss Algor first. i v 1

If, is impossible yet to estimate what, the gain to the Wounded Soldiers’ Fund will he by reason of yesterday’s effort but approximately £6OO was takefi on the Show Grounds. This is apart from tickets sold and donations and the proceeds of iho evening entertainment. It is estimated that about 5000 people were on the Grounds.

A NOTABLE GATHERING.

STRATFORD'S BIG EFFORT.

HON. JAMES At.LEG’S VISIT.

SPEECHES BY DEFENCE

MINISTER.

Soldiers Day at Stratford proved a great gathering, and a great success. Had the weather been kinder, un-

doubtedly there would have been a much lugger assemblage on the Show Grounds, for the morning broke dull and threatening after a day of cold and constant rain. But these things oven patriots cannot provide against, and the splendid hand of j men and women-workers who inaugurated, organised, carried through the scheme of bo Soldiers Day Carnival are to be heartily congratulated on the results of their labours.. The idea of holding Soldiers Day originated with the Stratford Patriotic Committee Executive, but the possibilities seemed so great that the General, Patriotic Committee was called in* and, later, tire aid of many others outside these bodies was offered, and accepted. A tremendous amount of work has been undertaken and cheerfully carried out by the organisers of entertainment and novelty and the providing of the requisites in the way of costume ■ and comestibles. The training of those taking part in the various performances and exhibitions has been no light task, but those who have helped in any way have the satisfaction of knowing that they have been doing something for the Empire. Owners of motor cars have been especially kind in giving their services to carry the actual workers to and from the Show Grounds, and deserve many thanks. The railway arrangements were very suitable, and, traffic,' though- not so‘ heavy as antici-', patecl, was well managed by ; Mr Peattie, stktlonmaster, at Stratford, and his staff. a, vpry early j hour the real workers ! were on the ground arranging stalls, tents and sideshows, and preparing, to .victual the expected and 'when - th|G ■ first-comers of the visitors arrived, everything was in apple-pie, order... As ,th? ,day wore on wepther grew "brighter, and when the closing hour arrived, the crowd really seemed to be getting into the fun; 1 '

The visit of the Hon. James Allen, Minister for Defence, was a bright particular feature of the programme, and his fine and sympathetic Speech stirred the great crowd of hearers very (JeapJy. He ’-spoke and freely of the need for more men, and he showed the honour of service in the great cause. Those'hilio heard him and still neglect the call of duty will be deaf indeed. I

At 11 o’clock, the, procession moved from Broadway to (lie Show} Uivojinds big gone ■through: ' Prettily’ aitited }na,trons \mre.avady is regiments,;/ and the men folk re ponded gaUauily .tji|. the calls on their ppfisqtf* i for scriptions to all sorts of competitions; from guessing the weight of a box'of candy to a gamble for a town section. Side-shows flourished, very notably the Anzac Minstrels (a clever and capable lot of entertainers), and the honorary purveyors of good things from hot pies to ice-creams did roaring business. The procession was beaded by a picturesque cowboy and girl, and then followed the Mounted Rifles under Captain Wilson. The Pipe Band followed with Drum-Major Me NeilAdams in the van. Next came a band of veterans, marching proudly, and including Messrs J. H. Walker (New Plymouth), New Zealand medal; Harris Ford (New Plymouth) New Zealand medal; W. King ''New Plymouth) New Zealand medal; G. N. Curtis (Stratford) Now Zealand medal; G. A. Adlam (New Plymouth) New Zealand medal; W. Brooking (Stratford) New Zealand modal; J. Groan (New Plymouth) Joawky, Afghanistan 1876-79-80, Egypt 1882, medals and Khedive’s star; T. L. Williams; New Zealand medal and No. 2 Bushrangers’ medal; W. Kelly (Stratford) New Zealand medal and Bushrangers’ medals. The Senior Cadets (Nos. 94, 95, 97 and 112 Companies) followed, Lieutenant Gray in command of all but Company 112, of which Lieutenant Bowler was in charge. Then came a string of grotesque masked figures, whose appear,ince especially delighted the youngsters. The Municipal Band under Conductor T. Marshall wa s noxt in order, followed by a string of decorated wagons and motor cars. More

companies of grotesque masqueraders followed, and then a Red Cross lorry. Mr Newton King’s motor lorry and trailer took its place with a great load of happy childieu, after which came i a lied Cross car and a squadron of I hobby-horse riders, whose antics crea- ! ted much amusement. Wild- West (girls on horseback, and a Gipsy Lee (caravan brought up the rear. Mr J. McMillan, Hon. Secretary, to I the Patriotic Committee, acted us Marshall. There were many tastily-decorated stalls and booths, and novelty attractions of the sort one might expect to j find raking in the loose silver at a country lair. Those who directed (them all pushed their businesses with zest, and contributed a great deal to the grand total of the day’s takings. The stalls were as under:— Fruit and peanuts.—Mesdames Prentis? Lawrence, Stronach and Lyons, and the Misses Copping and Falder. Soft drinks, and ice creams. —Mesdames Curt's, Malone, Paget j Misses Dingle, Curtis (2),Page*, Meredith, McOutchan, Morison, Burrell and Kelleher. Children’s stall Mrs Skoglund and the Misses Skoglund, and E. Moon ? M. Skoglund, Masters, Healy, and Master Skoglund (2). Sweets.— Mesdames King, Uniacke, Stewart, Leversedge, Howard and Miss Fleming. .Soft drinks, cigarettes and ice creams. Dingle, Ashton, and the Misses Sangster (2), Manoy and Mdri-y son. Tea roms (under the grandstand) —Mesdames Good, Crawghaw, C. Martin, W. Robinson, Falder, Grant, C. Penn, Freer, Plowright, Childs and the Misses 'Shepherd, Shaw, , Leet^ i ,qps. waitresses dressed as nurses—Nurse Finn and the Misses Woison, Rogers (Cardiff), Hine, Pearce, Orawshaw, Heartley, Paynter (2), Allen, Kelly. Oliver (2), Fitzgerald (2), Milner, Reid (2), Walker (2), Walsh (2), and Anderson. Tea-rooms in produce shed.— Mesdames Budge, McDonald, Bayly and White, and the Misses Scott, ,*ud. dleton, Lawrence, Hine (2), M. Walsh. Smith, Butcher, Lawn, Bayly, McCullough, Garrety, Manoy and Gollop. The booths and games were ,-upderj Messrs Jam,e§ and j.Crbfts;; dart, hoard, Mr G. (VT*'.Skills; |coC9aput:fhying, Mr Geo. Bradley; iKaiserfbdard, Mr H. Masters; hoopla, (Mesdames Blanchard Hogg. apd.S ; n 9S-v■ 'suer; shooting’ 'gallery, ‘Messrs Sit' Sharp, H. Voyle, C.. J ackson and -J. Dodd; schute, Messrs Abrahani, ,EIU?, W. Henry and Norton; bullock guess-. ing, Messrs Hugh Good, W, H. H.‘ Young, Keßeher and Gerphoefejr. . The first event was a parade of decorated motor cars, and there was no fault with the judge’s decision, in awarding first prize to Mrs Ashton, whose car, decorated most charmingly as a Red Cross unit, was a real work of art, and was duly hailed as champion, the second prize going to a pret-tily-designed effect in heliotrope and white, which ornamented Mr D. Cameron’s car. .Physical .jlrjll, lsrj Stratford Primary Mr. Dyson’s very capable direction, and (iheh ajjretty ribbon dance by Stratford School girls, who were trained" sfnd dir- - ected by the Misses Papps and Pearce, and who showed evidence of the care tpken, in th^iy Salvation Army Home boys gave a quite remarkable 'CShMtiotf of physlßT dtill send were -f»ig tAhzac march {inch r flag, drill- by," small amj.of ;^stiihtKl'V l Pf a -i se ) children’s decorated classes.

One of the particularly good exhibitions was that given by the New Plymouth High School boys, who went through Swedish drill and marching, and especial thanks are due to the Headmaster, Mr Moyes, for permitting the boys to take part in the Stratford function, as they were in demand in two or three other places. Stratford’s Senior Cadets, under the command of Lieutenant Gray and Lieutenant Bowler acquitted themstlves admirably, and came in for special commendatibn from the Minister for Defence and Captain J. B. Hine, M.P. 1 After’the Minister’s address there-was a review-, march past and salute, all very well done. A maypole dance followed, and then came the hoop dance by Convent School’s pupils, both being much admired. Drill by the Girls’ Friendly So ciety members and also by the Ell-ham boys again was very well executed. A particularly fine item on the programme was the performance by <* troupe of fourteen handsome Maori poi dancers, known as'the Kahungunu Troupe, from Hawke’s Bay, with whom special arrangements to appear had been made. The Minister for Defence specially thanked the troupe after their effort in front of the grandstand. They are really clever Maori entertainers, boith dancers vocalists, and instrumentalists, and in securing their serxices the committee did well. The day wound up with a grand parade, in which all performers took part. THE ANZAC MINSTRELS. As already mentioned, a big “sideshow” was the performances given by the Anzac Minstrels. Tie members or the troupe have been working for several days past and the result could be seen yesterday in the transformation

of the people’* stand. The space be* tween the stand and the ring fence ; had been enclosed with. 10ft. tarpaulins. and the nccessafy dressing rooms arid annexes also fixed up for the accommodation of the performers. The stage had been arranged in an alfresco stylo, and the whole made an idea! “open-air thta.re.’ f The Minstrels took up their position on a platform just outside the entrance to the theatre, | and from that vantage point made such a commotion by menus of big drum, megaphone, and all sorts 1 of “music" that the crowd seemed unable to resist the charm, with the result that accommodation was crowded when the Anzacs started their (performance, and a good show it was. The programme was well received by the audience, who showed keen apprtciation of the new songs and jokes with which the performance abounded. The “coons” on the corner, Messrs Sid Ward, Jack Lester, Will Robinson, and Frank Ransford kept the audience in a simmer of laughter with their 1 ‘.patter” and comic singing, and idieir efforts to amuse were eblv seconded by “Massa” Johnston / TJr Fred Foley) and the rest of the qircle. The entertainment concluded with a yentriloquial item by Mr Fred Foley. Immediately , the performance’ Was over |the theatre was cleared as quickly to 'make robin for tlfe nqxt effort, as the crowd already outside were clamoring for admission. . The- second section of Entertainers Were >.the Theatrical Company, of Hastings, under the management of 3jfr Katene , Pukerua, with Mr NikarJ' as stag© manager and director of ‘ceremonies. Thvv troupe.,, ertaln ™ ■ which for sheer merit “took the cake.” f The company numbers 35 performers (of both sexes) and the high standard of excellence reached was a revelation to their pakeha brothers. The poi dances of the Maori maidens were a marvel of rhythm and graceful movement. The dancers were in khaki dresses with huia feathers in their hair, while the male members wore the orthodox evening: dress, a very effective combination. The Troupe is on topr in ; aid of, t,h©. Wpfiuded Soldiers’ Fund,,.-pHrMrVs° th v > vi ® ited Ha ‘ Manaia, North and Wanganui, shown to , crowded houses. Mratene Mete is the orchestra, and Miss Nikara is pianiste. Mr P. H. Tomoana, spn of one of the leading chiefs of Hawkeßay, is secretary of the Troupe. Tlieir (performance opened g with an overture, “Allies for Ever,” axcelltntly» rendered J»y a string orchess3 10 mulTSans 1 The next item, “I ; Want to Go Horae,” by Messrs Diaia and Rangi, with banjo accompaniment by the orchestra, was a very “catchy’duet, and 'a hearty encore brought out, . another good, duet “Our Banjo.” Mr Paikea favored the auditnee with a patriotic song entitled “We Shall Get There in Time,” and many copies of the song were sold in the theatre during (Ke afternoon. As an encore “Robtrt was sung, with a good Maorf chorus. Tim,.^oi f J- an( ' €s followed, tft' girls beirig ranged in three lines, rep* . resenting Navy, 'ArJfiJTjT’hnd Reserves. , The item was splendidly given, and the. enthusiastic applause of the audience was-well* karadancing was, ‘

led by the Misses P.-H. Tomoana and , that the space too conStted td allow of s 11: the .performed. Mr Paikea version of , A‘Tipperary,” composed by Mr T. Car* roll (nephew of Sir • J ames Carroll), % and the success of the item may be ~ guaged by the fact that close on :tli . was thrown on the stage in response to . a special appeal from the singer. As an encore and> finish nip of the Maori performance “We Shall Get There m Time” was again sung by the company. After another clearing of the theatre and more megaphone “music” by the “AnzaCs,” another full house listened to a vaudeville performance by the New Plymouth Railway Patriotic Con- j cert Committee, introduced to the aucu- • ence by it’s Secretary Mr S. G. Smith. Mr W. Ray sang atomic song,' “Im-j - agination,” in a manner that? found 1 great favor with his hearers, and Capt. Allen, of New Plymbhth, followed with a recitation, “For Freedom’s Sake,” written by a railway porter in England, who is also celebrated’as the composer, of the British version of “The Day.” At the conclusion of Capt. Allen’s poem the hats were sent round, , and close on £5 collected from a generous audience. Other items were “Private Cassidy, V.C.” by Mr Leon Smith, j and “She is far from the Land” by Mr and Mrs R. F. Davy, both of which’ were encored. The performance concluded with “Keep the Home Fires Burning.” the solo being sung with feeling by Mr Lister, with part chorus' by mefnbers of the “Anzacs.” The .place having been once more cleared, the Minstrels again mounted the rostrum outside, and with more' “cymbals and melody” assured the public that the very last performance was about to commence. Again our Maori friends took the stage before a packed house, the biggest of the day, and repeated their programme, which met with the same enthusiastic welcome as before, This performance finished the programme as far as the “Anzacs” were concerned, and they / were soon scurrying away in all directions in search of hot water and soap as burnt-cork removers. The takings for the day in the theatre amount to something over £IOO, and this fact, reflects credit on the members of the band, whose success is entirely due to organisation and hard work. It is practically certain that the “Anzacs” will' continue as a “live” minstrel show, - giving periodical performances during the winter in aid of Patriotic FundiWith Mr Fred Foley as “Massa” John|ston and general manager, Mr Charlie (Fox.as musical director, Messrs S„ (Ward, F. Ranford, J. Lister, and W. H. Robinson (tamhos and bones), and Messrs J. Weston, J.’Barker. J. King and J. W. Williami? in the circle, the Troupe yesterday put up a record of which they may be justly proud.