Sailors' Day

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 69, 26 June 1916, Page 7

Sailors' Day

SUM OF OVER £l3O RAISED. The Anzac Minstrels gave an openair performance in Broadway in front of the Municipal Buildings, on Saturday in order to raise funds for tho widows and dependants of the British sailors lost in the recent North Sea Battle. The weather, which had .been threatening in the morning, cleared at midday and induced the public to he present in large numbers.

The Minstrels gave a very pies;sing performance, which was much appreciated by those present. A land of young ladies took up a collection during the performance; which lasted about an hour, and met with great success, the sum of about £'79 being received. A fur.her collection was taken up at Foley's Pictures in the evening, and about £lO was realised.

His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. W. Boon) in introducing the performers, said it had been arranged to take up street collections in all towns between Wanganui and New Plymouth on that day. Generally all over New Zealand a fund had been started for the sailors, and he appealed to the people of StratI'ord to do their snare. A great deal hud been done foi the soldiers, but very little for the sailors. Their, case bad been specially brought under notice in the recent Jutland Battle, when a large number of bravo sailors willingly gave tip -their lives for tho Empire. There were nnirmu rings throughout the Dominion at the beginning of the war when it became known that the German raiders were posted yeivy close to our shores, an) there was grave doubt.as to whether our staple produce.wpnid be shipped, or allowed to remain and rot. Within, a few months the seas were freed of the enemy, and the produce had been carried at will to any desired corner of the world. There had been tises in

prices from of) to 100 per cent., and this had meant many millions of extra

war profits to the Dominion. Not a single' British possession had been taken by the enemy. The Jutland Battle was a glorious victory for the British Navy, but such victories were not won cheaply, and thousands of sailors gave their lives to achieve it. A large number of the men had left wives and children," arid'V was'tile help'thenv'•.i'ftA'ucl|and some men had £f 00 donations ami others &00; and in frarfifiey lWWfg an~appeal waTsum at a ■ sale ■ attir nearlv,£3pp,,w,as.,sub|cribed. er appeale.u' to'thos| what they could; ti| they could not give £IOOO. give £IOO, and if not'that' amount, £l. Mr Boon said he had tt pen and ink on the platform if anyone wished to write out ; h cheque. In conclusion, he appealed give what they could afford. The proceeds of the. Patriotic Market and Tea Rooms were also devoted to the Sailors' Fund. The promoters of the market,, experienced a busy day, and'as a vv*s 'handed to the serretarv, ahiffrom the £4,

less ,£1 10s as expenses. ... The figures are not complete, but it us expected that over £IBO will be rea"lised, by the effort. . '■■- '' ! -' J— • T¥e committer desllej'to. tha^'' air who , and. street eolle|tions. and also Mi;.,JVv M artel I &>r a. bale bf. Widel • mi ' »■ • ■ ~ ' \ ' "A ijaiaiice-sneet will M .-published laba later date. : «.•'»' tjl t*'" l '"" l '■ ''■