"OUR DAY."

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 218, 24 October 1916, Page 4

"OUR DAY."

TAIHAPE'S EFFORT. A HUGE SUCCESS Labour Day has come and gone, and Taihape's effort for "Our Day," the day set apart for raising funds for Ej dCross purposes (in London) proved a great success. The Committee was only a small one, but behind them they had the knowledge of the urgent need of funds, and each and ev ery one had that sense of duty combined with a spirit of enthusiasm, to put his best effort into it, and the combined action led to success. Fortunately Father Sol was in a propitious mood; the morning broke fine and clear, and the day, so far as the weather elements were concerned, was all that could be desired. At the head of affairs was the Rev. W. F. (Stent, who from start to finish worked indefatigably. He made practically all the suggestions for the day, and the committee, working in unison, carried out those duties. It would be useless to attempt to single out any members of the committee for special praise, as all worked well. The ladies' committee, although not a large one, carried out their duties splendidly, and to them, in a large measure, the success of the day was due. The whole function was a novel one for Taihape. A precession left Huia Street by the School at 1.30 p.m., and proceeded to the Post Office, thence up the Main Street to Ttii Street, and thence to the 1 Recreation Ground. Opportunity was given for all classes of exhibits in the procession, and curious ly enough the only ones not well represented were the tradesmen. Why this should be so seems inexplicable. There was only one tradesman's turnout in the whole procession—that of Mr. J. H. Johnson. The two motor garage proprietors, Mr. Gibbs and Mr. V. Nicholls, were well represented and all the taxi-car proprietors placed their cars in the procession. Punctually to time the Marshal, Mr. W. Emerson, alias Rewi, assisted by Mr. W. A. Todd, alias Te Heuheu, started the leading flies of the procession. In pride of place was a figure representing a Red Cross a very appropriate lead; and following was the Taihape Municipal Band and the players arrayed in fancy costumes. A knight of the pigskin, gentleman jockey T. Shout, followed on , a grey horse, whose forelegs were bandagecr, this, being rendered necessary by the hard state of the going., Then came a Red Cross Ambulance, and this exhibit was the best in the procession, and was arranged by Drs. .Sinclair and McDiarmid. On a lorry suitably decorated was a cot with a patient. A medical officer in the uniform of a surgeon-captain, nurses and orderlies. Then came the motor cars, some beau tifully decorated. Taihape turned out in fine to •witness the procession, and so good was it that all the onlookers journeyed to the recreation ground to see the new sports. Here the judges, Messrs Boyd and W. Dixon carried out their duties and awarded the prizes in the various classes. Their task was no light one, and they are deserving of the committee's best thanks for the „ manner in which they discharged those duties.

As soon as the judging was completed a start was made with the sports, and from then until the time the band played the National Anthem in conclusion, there was not a dull moment. Messrs G. Bray and C. L. Dyniock were in charge at the gates with cc> lecting boxes, and their work resulted

in over £33 being collected. Afternoon tea was supplied by the ladies' committee in a large marquee, and excellent business was done, the takings amounting to over £2l. A sweet stall presided oven by Miss McKinnon was very successful, and before the conclusion of the sports had to be closed, as all the stock was sold, the takings amounting to some £B. Mrs. Plummer had charge of a soft-drinks' stall, and realised a goodly sum. The sports were run by Messrs Emerson and Todd, assisted by other members of the committee, and they kept the public interested the whole time. The motor-car driving competition, the motor-car tilting at the ring, motor-cycle tilting at the ring, and the musical chairs drew forth great competition, and the public I showed great interest. Golf-putting and chainstcpping competitions were also held, and the results of the sports were as follows: — Chain-stepping Mr A. James; golf-driving, Mrs D. Neagle; golfputting, Mr. A. James; Car driving, Mr. Kilkolly; cycle-tilting, Mr. V. Nicholls; musical chairs, Mr. Currie. Mr H. D. Bond acted as timekeeper for the motor events, and his services were greatly appreciated. During the afternoon a baby competition was held, the parents of eac=. baby soliciting votes from the public. By this means £l3 Is was "received. There were 10 entries, and the corepetition was won by Mrs. Masters' baby with 271 votes, Mrs. Bqtfi.ei#'baby was see-ond with 242 votes, and . -" j-/ • -* **

Mrs Bellis' baby third with 176 votes. A willing band of helpers were busy all the afternoon, selling raffle ticket* and a large sum was raised by tIW means. Small booklets, "What we know about the War," were sold by Mr. S. Beban, and the supply was not equal to the demand. Mr. E. Gibbs very kindly placed lii's large car at the disposal of the"tommittee and was utilised for the purpose of giving children "joyri*es" in the oval. The sum of £3 8s 7d was. raised by this means and the TvTddies undoubtedly had a great day out. The response of the motor-car proprietors was splendid; they plac- i their cars at the disposal of the committee and did all that was possible to help the cause. The action of the tradesmen stands out in distinct contrast. Mr J. Capill placed a horse and cart s and the services of himself aud man at the disposal of the committee, and without their aid the committee would have had a tremendous task in the morning to get everything in order. Mr Kulitze also lent his horse and cart during the morning, at no little inconvenience to himself. During the afternoon the band played various selections, and also in the evening before the pictures commenced, and their services were greatly appreciated. V Following are the winners of prizes in the procession: Tradesmen's turnout, Mr. J. H. Johnson; decorated car, Mr. J. F. O'Keefe; decorated bicycle, Mr. Green; most humorous exhibit, "The' Darkie Family;" decorated animal, Mr. Strong; fancy costume, Miss M. Harvey, (Collinson and Gifford, Ltd); best miscellaneous, Mr. W. Emerson; special for ladies' exhibits, Miss Harvey (Collinson and Gilford, Ltd.); best exhibit in procession Red Cross Ambulance; best child's exhibit, Healey's go-cart. The* prizes won by Mr. Emerson, the Red Cross waggon, and the Darkie family were handed back to the committee.

Miss Harvey's dress was very good. She represented Collinson and ford Ltd., and wore a crinoline dress of calico on which was printed the firm's name, and a number of blocks representing various articles sold by the firm.

In the evening a picture entertainment was held at the "Three/Stars" Theatre. Mr. A. C. Nicholls very generously offered the use of the hall and pictures free of charge, so that the 1 ' : gross takings would belong to the'' ;; committee. The programme Shown was" "■'■ a very good one, and-the ■ taking's •-• at"*"' the door amounted to £l6 10; In addition to this, some 400 tickets were -: sold, so that about £35 or more willbe realised. The Tai-hape orchestra ' contributed some remarkably wellplayed selections. They commenced : with the "Ben Hur" march, and follow ed with the overture, "Kenilworth," which introduced some excellentlyaccompanied solo work .as well 1 as some very fine concerted movements?! > .JL giving scope for the musicians to show their ability to fairly well excel in both ' The audience left no doubt in the minds of members of the Orchestra, about their efforts being thoroughly appreciated. At the interval the orchestra played a complete valse suite, composed and harmonised by Mr. Pap- » worth. From introduction to coda the whole piece is composed of an intermingling of melodies, in some cases very daintily arranged, the audience testifying that it merited their entire approbation. It is understood that the Orchestra -have named it the "Otaihape Valse." So ended one of the most successful and harmonious patriotic efforts that has yet engaged the ! public of Taihape.