RETAIL EMPLOYERS’ HELP FOR CHARITY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 127, 19 August 1927, Page 9

RETAIL EMPLOYERS’ HELP FOR CHARITY

TREATS FOR ORPHANS the past three years inmates of orphanages within easy reach of the city have been the recipients of a fine Christmas treat, which included a present for every child. This was the work of the Auckland Retail Soft Goods Charities Club, an organisation of Auckland drapery employees. which has been raising money for charities. This winter a series of weekly dances has been held in the cause of charity. These dances usually attract an attendance of over 200 couples, and. as well as proving very satisfactory from a financial point of view, they enable employees of the different drapery houses to meet socially. The not profits so far have been £261 5s 6d, and £llO 2s f>d has been distributed. The Anglican City Mission. lister Esther, ;ind the Auckland Ladies’ Benevolent Society have each received £25. the balance being spent on a five-valve wireless set for the leper station at Makogai. The remainder of the funds in hand, and the profits from future dances, will be devoted to local charities, the Christmas fund, and to a fund for needy unemployed shop assistants. The usual Christmas effort will be made this year, funds being raised by direct contributions from members and by jumble sales to be held later on. Six business firms—Ashley’s. Ltd.. Bradstreets, Ltd.. George Court and Sons, Ltd., John Court. Ltd.. Rendells, Ltd., and Smith and Caughey, Ltd. — share in the organising of the dances. It is expected that two more will join very shortly. The employees of Milne and Choyee have meetings of their gymnasium club on the same evening as the dances, and so do not participate in a body. The club is very large, there being about 1,500 employees in the business houses mentioned. An inter-house jazz competition is at present being held, with Miss Cecil Hall as judge. Providing the lepers of Makogai with wireless entertainment keenly interests the members of the club, and the set was sent down by the steamer Hinemoa a short time ago. officers of the ship will attend one of the dances next Wednesday, and give an account of what has been done A number of gifts have been sent from the Dominion, and include an electric generating set, and ice-making plant, and a cinematograph. A private fund is nowbeing raised to install a wireless transmitting set to enable the station to keep in touch with Suva.