CONCERTS FOR SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1916, Page 3

CONCERTS FOR SOLDIERS.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH Y.M.C.A. Miss Lena Ashwell, the well-known actress, who has interested herself very particularly in entertaining the boys at the front, writes as follows: — "I should he glad if you would publish the enclosed appeal in connection with the fund for concerts at the various war fronts. Sonic of your readers will, I feel sure, be glad to give some assistance, especially as a concert party is now arranged for Egypt, and contributions may be deposited with the local branch of the Bank of Australasia. For any further publicity yon might give to our work, we would he grateful." The circular says:—May I appeal to music-lovers in Australia and Ncff Zealand to help us in sending concert parties to the base camps and hospitals at the front? The concerts are the men's one pleasure in their lives of dulncss and danger and suffering, and we are anxious to keep the. concerts in full swing until the end of the war, including those now arranged for Egypt. The men would be most bitterly disappointed if these entertainments had to be stopped for lack of funds. It was just this difficulty that prevented us from sending earlier a concert party to Egypt to cheer the Australian and New Zealand troops, of whom we are all so proud. Friends in Canada are helping us in the difficult task of raising money, and there arc, I think, many music-lov-ers in Australia and New Zealand who would choose this way of sending comfort and luppiness to their gallant troops if they only knew how deeply these efforts are appreciated, and how grateful the men are for the gift of the music they love so intensely. In order to facilitate the transmission of contributions to the fund, the Bank of Australasia lias kindly consented to receive the amounts, small or large, at the princip.il branches of the bank throughout Australia and New Zealand.