RED CROSS MART.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1916, Page 4

RED CROSS MART.

A RECORD ON SATURDAY v }{ot since the inauguration of the Bed Crcus Market, just upon twelve months ago, lias the Devon Street fhop presented such a busy scene as it did on Saturday. The institution of "days" for the outlying settlements has met with much favor, and is causing keen and healthy rivalry, and the success of such a method is assured, the spirit of emulation inciting the various bands of loyal patriotic workers to outdo their comrade? in the good cause. On Saturday week "Bell Block Day" at the Mart was a record, but last Saturday "Hillsborough Day" saw Bell Block's figures eclipsed by a substantial margin. From early in the forenoon until long after the evening shadows fell the Mart was crowded with purchasers, who had a plenteous wherewithal from which to pick and buy. The Hillsborough people responded nobly to the call of Mr. and Mrs. Smellie and Mr. and Mrs. X. Hill, who organised the "day," and articles of every description were on sale. Sunday's dinners (cheap, too) were to be had for prompt cash, and the thrifty housewife was enabled to lay in a stock of dairy produce, eggs, vegetables, jam, etc., at most reasonable rates.

The total proceeds for the day were £l2O, but £lO of this sum should be credited to the Bell Block effort, that amount being given for a separator that was kindly donated by a Bell Block resident. The Uruti Dairy Factory forwarded a handsome donation of £lO 10s, and a pig that was given by Mr. Baily, of Hillsborough, and which was sold and re-sold at the Haymarkct in the afternoon, brought in no less than £5 12? 6d. A competition for a prime factory-cured bom realised over £3, and Miss Daisy Marsh (Hilteborough), who was the winner, promptly returned it for re-sale. The Hillsborough school children also forwarded a donation of 30s.

Although the mart attendants were briskly busy all day, so munificent was Hillsborough's contribution that a large quantity of articles, edible and otherwise, were not disposed of. and a contribution of IdOlb of butter is yet to come. Aa usuul, the ladies of the Red Cross Committee, under the presidency of Mrs. J E. Wilosn, were in attendance, and they were worthily assisted by the following Hillsborough ladies: Mesdaines Smellie, J, B. and L. A. Marsh, N. W Hill, and Messrs Earp and Thomason. Mrs. Wilson desires to thank the Hillsborough workers, especially the organisers, for their valuable assistance, and also the following llowor sellers:—Misses 0. and K Sole, A. Hrokenshirc, K. Healy, A. Wilson,' E. Christiansen, Smith, Ford, Jordan, Rogers, Deacon, and Master Street. Several Boy Scouts were indefatigable in helping the ladies, and their efforts were worthily recognised. During the day most welcome, refreshments were kindly supplied to tile workers by Mr. and Mrs. Wallis, of the Waratah refreshment, rooms, and their geuerosity was much appreciated. The weight of a hind-quarter of beet was the subject of a guessing competition, for which there were three prizes, and which was in charge of Mrs. Charles Street, whose efforts resulted in £l4 being realised from this source. Three competitors guessed the exact weight, 124'/jlb, namely. Mrs. Wallis (Waratah), Mr. J. KoU'mson, and Mrs. W. Orbcll. The names were submitted to "the hat,'' Mr. \V. Ambury acting as scrutineer, and the prizes were drawn in the order named above. Next Saturday will be "Tarurutangi Day" at the Mart, and another exceptionally heavy day, with more recordbreaking, is anticipated.