COMFORTS' WEEK CAMPAIGN.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1916, Page 4

COMFORTS' WEEK CAMPAIGN.

NOVELTY MKNCFIT COXOEKT. AN -ENJOY ABLK ENTERTAINMENT. A capital entertainment, in aid of the Soldiers' Comforts Fund, was provided in the Coronation Hall last evenin", when a programme of concerted and solo items was presented to, 'a fair audience. The concert opened with the singing of tho National Anthem, after Which t-lie Citizens' Hand rendered the overture "The British Flag." Mr. A. B. Macdonald received an excellent hearing when lie sang, "Who's foi this Mag." The soloist acknowledged tho appreciation shown by singing "Mother of Men. ]he selection, "The Bohemian Girl," was excellently played 'by the band, and tho audience evinced their approval by warm applause. One of the most attractive features of the programem was Mrs. 'Basham's rendition of Middle's "Abide with Me." The soloist's fine contralto voice recalled memories of Madame Clara Butt's visit. This .was especially marked when she sang the famous contralto's favorites, ' rhe Silver Ring" and- "Three Fishers." The audience was unstinted in its acclamation, and recalled the soloist on each occasion. -Messrs F. Hooker, F. Reid, X. Day, and A. B. Macdonald formed a happy quartette, and they gave splendid treatment to the item, "0, Lovely Xight." Their voices blended admirably, and their singing was highly appreciated. Mrs. Birch-Johnston evoked warm admiration when she sang "A China Tragedy" and "Sister Susie." Other items included, "Land of Hope and Glory," the. band; "The Call to Arms," :Mr. N. Day; "The Druids' Prayer," the band; "Tho Long 'Day Closes," the male quartette; sailor's hornpipe, Mr. Barry; and the finale, "Off Bn;k to Camp," tho band. The audience thoroughly appreciated the entertainment, and went away well satisfied. During the interval a bevy of young ladies sold f-weets and ice creams, and thus helped to swell the funds. The sum of £lO was taken at tho door, ani nearly £1 was realised from the sale of sweets.

OVER £3OO IN HAND. The approximate total of £324 has oeen received by the Soldiers' Comforts Week Committee in connection with its campaign to raise funds. This total, which is regarded as very gratifying, comprises the following gross receipts: Sunday's song service in Pnkekura Park, £l4 10s; collections, from churches, St. Joseph's (Roman Catholic) ,C 3 14s, St, Mary's (Anglican) £lO Bs, 'Baptist £3 l'Ss; gate receipts at Monday's Park entertainments, £127; stalls, £144 Cs, including Fitzro.v stall £25 12", Mrs, Anbury's stall £ls 8s (Id, Mr. R. Deare's soft drinks stall £ll !)s od, Mrs, 'Burgess' tent £-20 Os sd, Mrs. Dockrill's produce stall £9 18s ad, flower stall £4 Is 7d. Vogeltown tea kiosk £ll fis, stepping the "chain £1 ISs, Miss iPelham's golliwog stall £ll 5s 4d, the Kaiser throwing competition £1 Bs, railway ambulance car ,E!) 4a •*»'/.(!, boats .Ci Os 4d, collection boxes £7 2s; New Plymouth golf tournament £ls, last evening's concert £l4 In addition to these amounts it is known that there are other collections, totalling approximately £3O, that have uot yet been received.

SATURDAY'S BATTLE. Such an attack on the wealth of the town and district as will be. for ever memorable. That is what Saturday's efforts will mean. Amusements! Such a fund as will tax the power" of observation of residents and crowds of visitors. Wuipnni' famous Commercial Hussars and the Swankers' Band! Thirty stroiu! Fired with unlimited enthusiasm and resourcefulness. It will be the gr-iat experience in the lifetime of .many to see these warriors 1 work and to watch their niai'velloiis methods. No one miss the fun, which will be fast m.d furious—and profitable fun at that. Then, tliTe will be the Pierrots! Not orrlivary Pierrots, but 30 artists. The Darktown Band, Fire Brigade. Town Band, Returned Soldiers, and Scout-, together with the Pierrots will meet tl.e Hussars and escort them on Friday evening in a torchlight procession to the Coronation Hall, where during an interval in the Maori entertainment the visitors will be officially welcomed, alio have conferred on them "The Freedom of the City." On Saturday, at 10 a.m.,..the day's fun will commence, when the Hussars, Swan':ei% and Pierrots will, in their owu inimitable fashion, proceed to offer tlieif goods for coin of the realm. Several thousands of parcels containing articles of full, face value are to bo disposed of by sale, valuable works of art by raffle and auction and other methods the secret of which cannot be disclosed for censorial reasons.

A particular feature will he the "local hit" songs and choruses by the Pierrots, whoso ictivilie? will enliven the proceedings ail day long.

A special feature will be "proceedings" in some central building, where for a silver coin, fun fast and furious will be ■'on tap" all day long. Tho street performers, numbering about sixty, will be accommodated on motor 'orries kindly placed at their disposal, and it is confidently expected that the financial result will easily exceed any previous one day effort in New Plymouth The public-can confidently rest assured on being given much more than their money's worth throughout the proceedings, which will be of an entirely novel character.

Everyone witlnn walking, riding, driving or motoring distance of New Plymouth fliould make n point of being in town on Saturday, bringing their friends a'nd plenty of coin of the realm.

THE PROGEAMME. TO-NIGHT—SCHOOLS CONCERT. To-night is the children's night, and a glance at the advertisement in this issue should satisfy everybody that a most enjoyable enertainment will be presented to those who attend the Coronation Hall. In addition to individual efforts, there will be a massed item by nearly 400 bhildron, who have been thoroughly coached during the past few weeks by their teachers. There is ever a freshness and spontaneity connected with children's performances that is irresistibly appealing, and to-night's entertainments will not be one of the least successful items of fete week.

TO-MORROW—PUKEKURA PARK. All arrangements in connection with the garden party to be held in the Park to-morrow have been completed, and fine weather only is needed to ensure an enjoyable and successful function

In the evening the Park will be, illum-t inated again, and there will bo a promenade concert at tho lake by '& gle# » party, assisted by the band. ThcA " will also be boating.

. Hi 1 DAY—WAITARA MAORIS, The last of the evening entertaMinettt? for the week will be. the one given by the Wuitaiu Musical Maoris in the Coronation Hall on Friday night, when a real treat is promised. The troupe, js well and favorably known for its performances, which have created a furors throughout the northern part of thd province, wherever this talented combination lias appeared, and Mr. T. Buchanan, who "fathers" them, promises that on Friday night the performers will excel themselves.

SATURDAY-THE GREAT DAY. Next Saturday, the final day of Con* forts Week, will be a day of riot and revelry, For "the greatest beggars on earth"—the Wanganui Hussars—will invade New Plymouth on Friday evening, they, in conjunction with the Pierrots. will be presented with the freedom' of the city. So woe betide the unwaryJ on Saurday I The Hussars will be m-J at the station, and, after the weleomiv/J ceremony, will bo escorted through tha" town to the Coronation Hall. Busjneta will co'mnicnep ijnmodiately, for the invaders are detersdnod {o. create a record. Saturday will be occupied with auction sales, a mock court, sale of Union Jack, etc. All people who have articles for the Tlussrvs to sell—any old thing will do—are requested to forward them promptly to the depot.

NOTES. The framework and covering of {V Red Cross van that was sueh a conspicuous attraction in Monday's display have been presented by the railwayman to the fund, and will be auctioned on Saturday next by the Wanganut Hussars. The tent would make an admirable summer residence .for the beach, and its disposal should mean the addition of many more shekels to the fund. The stepping competition at the Park on Monday was erroneously reported as having been won by Mr. 'L, A. Nolan. Mr. Nolan, who stepped 60ft. J-in., and Mr. L. Oldham, who trod 50ft. llsin„ tied, and thus first honors were divided. The gentlemen immediately handed back the prizes to the fund, ■From all that can be gathered round the town there appears to be every prospect that,on Friday evening, large as the building is, there will not bo more space than is necessary for tlio crowd that will Hock to the Coronation Hall to hear the Merry Musical Maoris from Waitara. This troupe consists of some 30 members, and the gteater number of them are soloi.sts, therefore the variety should 'be sufficient to suit all tastes. The Waihi tamarikis (children) in their poi dances are alone worth the price of admission. The lmkas are also good items on the programme, but are not such as might cause a blush to the most modest. To show how some people appreciate their performance it might be mentioned that an. old resident of Waitara, but who for a great number of years has resided in Sydney, came to the initial show at Waitara, has seen both tile performances at Uienni, but, is not yet "satisfied that there is any stateness about the items, and intends being present to hear and see them for the fourth time on Friday evening. This speaks volumes for the quality of the programme. It might be mentioned that several of the Maoris are now busy getting their scenery painted, it will be typically Maori and interesting. The Mayoress (Mrs. Burgess) will bo grateful if all persons willing to contribute provisions, sweets, etc., for the garden party in Pnkekura Park to-mor-row wi'l leave same, either at the depot or at the marquee in the park, to-mor-row morning. .