SAILORS' DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1916, Page 4

SAILORS' DAY.

NEW PLYMOUTH'S COLLECTION. Now Plymouth's first effort to assist the dependents of the sailors who lost their lives in the recent naval action proved a great success, and though the actual total was not known last night, we can safely say that over £4OO is in hand. During the day a bevy of young ladies were very busy in the street with collection boxes, and that they were doing well was evidenced by the number of blue exemption badges that were conspicuous on the coat lapels of patriotic pedestrians. When Hie boxes were tallied, early in the evening, it was found that the respectable total of £273 h°.d been collected. This included a cheque for £IOO from one of New Plymouth's prominent citizens. The football (natch in the afternoon was alsr, in aid of the fund, and from this it is expected that over £;10 will result. The proceeds of the afternoon t°a, which was organised by Mrs." Burgess, have also to be added.

In the evening a monster patriotic procession was held, under Mr. F. C. J. Bellringer, as marshal. Headed by the Citizens' Hand playing lively music, it comprised Boy Scouts, the Fire Brigade, and a motor waggon loaned by the Opunake Transport Company, and handsomely decorated with flags loaned by Mr. Hasell, on which was the bcautifu model of the s.s Niagara, fliat had been donated anonymously. The donor must have spent months of time on thi* labor of love. This model was greatly admired while on view in the Marble Bar window, which had been specially decorated by Mr. Vinsen, the manager, ii number of warlike toys supplied by Mr. Hart, addin<; to the general effect. Tile model, which was auctioned from a motor waggon at AmbuiyV corner, bv Mr L. A Nolan, realised £lOl. Die first bid was Mr. Cash ( £25), and the boat was put up again and again until it was finally knocked down to Mr. T. Salter for £fi. It is understood that a committee intend re-purchasing the model, which will be submitted for silc at various centres. The purchases were: Cash £?;>, McU'od and Slsde £lO, C. H. Burgess, 0. F. Bellringer, Mrs. J. H. Parker £5 each, D. J. Hughes,. F. Roebusy £3 New Plymouth Golfers £2 2s, W. Ambury, Pi .fury £2, C. Honeyfiekl. 'H. Gooducre, W. Little, J. Clarke, J. Duggan, J. R. Hill, F. J. Hill, f.. E. Hoffman "L. C. Sladden, T. C. List, Benjamin, L. A. Nolan, F. Robertson, I. Lovell. Leighton, Bass, Citizens' Band, A. B. Goldwu'ter W. Harvey, J. McLeod, W. Sole, K. Pepperill, H. Collier, F. Moore, A. K. Smart, W. Allen, F. J. Hil: £1 each, and A. B. Gibson. Cns Sole, F. Hodson. G. Blade, Miss Leila Bellringer, Mrs. Gus Sole, Joe Crockett, J. Hodson, Zii.sli, Mrs. Davy, T. Salter, M. O. Butcher 10s each,' H. Baily ss, "X" 13s.

Selections by the band, and songs and ducts by a trio of merry comedians (Messrs J. T.ovell, Keyes, and Smith), kept the audience in good humor, despite the cold atmospheric conditions. Mr T. H. Barnitt played the accompaniments on a piano that was lent by Mr. L. E. Hoffmann. A number of boy scouts, and Mr. 0. Ruddier, with a "poor little sailor boy" on his shoulders, collected an additional .CIS. Some cakes and sweets donated for the afternoon tea were also disposed of by auction.

Votes of thanks were accorded all who had assisted. •