SCARLET SOUVENIRS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 26, 22 April 1927, Page 13

SCARLET SOUVENIRS

POPPY DAY APPEAL AUCKLAND GIVES LIBERALLY In Flanders fields, where poppies grow Beside the crosses, row on row . . The fields of Flanders are many, many miles away, but how poignantly the sight of a scarlet poppy brings back the memory of them. To-day the streets of Auckland are aglow with the poppy—sad souvenir of so many whose last, long sleep is below a tiny cross on the old battlefields. But the scarlet token is also a reminder of those who returned from the stress of war, broken and worn. It is for these that the Flanders poppies are being sold in the streets today. Some are disabled and need support, others need the assistance of a helping hand. Remembering the men who did so much, Aucklanders gave freely to-day. Before eight o’clock this morning willing helpers were stationed about the city streets, and soon the shining shillings were tumbling into the reception boxes.

There were few, if any, refusals. What was a shilling compared with those who had fought a long fight? Even through the post money was sent to swell the Poppy Day fund, 80 per cent, of which will go toward disabled soldiers and those needing help, and 20 per cent, will go to the Veterans’ Home. Early this morning the secretary received a cheque for £lO through the post. Those who worked for the success of the fund to-day are as follow: Mrs. A. D. Campbell (the mayoress), Mrs. Ifwerson, members of the Civic League, members of the Ex-Service Women’s Guild, Mrs. Cadoux, Mrs. Campbell, members of the Query Club, members of the Mutual Club, Mrs. Von Sturmer, Mrs. J. B. McFarlane, members of the Victoria League, members of the St. John Ambulance, Mrs. Cammell, members of the W.C.T.U., Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Tailby, Mrs. Hall, members of the Y.M.C.A., members of the Plunket Society, Mrs. Langford, members of the Y.W.C.A., Mrs. Garrard, Mrs. Taylor, Adjutant Gordon, Mrs. Donaldson, members of the Benevolent Society, Mrs. Rosser. Mrs. Pankhurst, Miss Averill, Mrs. Potter, Mrs. Cowell. Mrs. Morrison, members of the Progressive League, Mrs. Tavlor, Mrs. Skeates, Mrs. McArthur, Mrs. Witham, Mrs. Rhodes, Mrs. F. Gaudin, Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Coulson, Mrs. Wade, members of the Navy League, and a number of members of the “No, No Nanette” company. To-night the management of the Strand Theatre has kindly promised to donate a percentage of its takings to the Poppy Day Appeal.