WELL DONE MANAIA!

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 142, 10 November 1914, Page 5

WELL DONE MANAIA!

KAISES OVER £6OO IN AN AFTICRXOOM BOY'S GOAT STARTS THE BALL ROLLING. (From our Manaia correspondent.) That a goat should have suggested a means of getting considerably over £, &M) for the Relief Fund for the poor of Great Britain, Ireland and Belgium is but evidence of the stirring nature of the times and peculiar conditions under which the world is at present labouring. All differences have been sunk, all private feuds forgotten, and the spirit of charity and humanity has everywhere manifest-' ed, itself in helping those who have lost all their possessions, aye and more sorrowful still, their breadwinners, in the defence of their country and their country's.honour. Poor decimated Belgium! The heroic deeds of the Spartans of Theniropylae have passed with song and story, but no Spartan ever put up greater fight and no nation nobler defence than the gallant little country that is still fighting shoulder to shoulder amidst their wreckage. They have lost everything but their honour. That remains unsullied, and history will remember and make fireside tales of their heroic deeds.

The spirit of charity is not, however, confined to the adult population. Even the children are giving from their little store unselfishly. Recently, a small son of Mr E. Long, of Manaia, donated his pet goat for sale, the. proceeds to be devoted to the poor of Belgium. The goat was put up and sold and re-sold until quite a large sum was realised More the animal was eventually led away. This suggested to Mr R. Morrissey, auctioneer for the Loan and Mercantile Agency, and Mr E. Long, of Manaia, n scheme by which money might be raised for the assistance of those reduced by poverty by the war. Help was quickly, forthcoming and Messrs T. MePhillips, A. McCracken, Moeller, J. Tavlor, A. Christie, J. >S. McKay, J. Russell, Mouri, Barr, Brown, Kllerm, Le Fleming, P. Knight, E. Burke, W. Martin, Bowman, Julian, R. Dunn and 0. Dawson (lion secretary), and many others. These gentlemen canvassed the town and district, and cows, calves, sheep, pigs, horses, and other donations were quickly forthcoiriing, while the town contributed articles, varying from easy chairs, overcoats, clock, and gaily-flagged cushions, to pickles, honey, lish, condiments, and baskets of greengrocery and. show flowers. Everywhere there was generous response, and last Saturday the sale of the vast collection was held, Mr R. Morrissey wielding the hammer,' The stock donated yielded £299 Ha Cd; goods sold in the hall, £1,54 8s; refreshments, £lO, 12s; (lowers and fruit, £1 10s Ud; cash donated, £9O us. From this it will be seen that the handsome sum of £559 8s was realised through the generous donations of town and country residents. In addition to this Father Sanderson made a collection at the Catholic church, which totalled £4O lis fid. When it is considered that many Catholics contributed largely in stock and goods their liberality will be better understood. There are still stock and other lines to be sold, so that Manaia will have contributed considerably over £C«O to the relief fund for Belgium, Great Britain and Ireland—not bad such for so small a community. Mr "Bob" Morrissey was in great form and it was generally considered that hn is seen at his best when the object is charity. While few bids escaped him I or his co-adjutator (Mr A MeCracken). A | calf started at .t'l but he was put up ho | often that he ultimately realised £l4 6a. A cushion bearing the Allied flags realised £3fi ss, Mr J. Russell finally taking it away for £3 os.

The ladies of the district gave generous help, and were largely helpful in making the sale a success. Mr T. MciFliillips was active with his motor car while Messes A. Christie and J. Russell perambulated the street with a wheel harrow, which was filled many times by the generous populace.