COMFORTS' WEEK CAMPAIGN.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1916, Page 8

COMFORTS' WEEK CAMPAIGN.

CHILDREN'S CONCERT, Success was the keynote of tho Children's Concert held in the Coronation Hall last evening on behalf of the Soldiers' Comforts Fund. The teachers at the N.P., Central, and Fitzroy Schools, and Sisters of the Convent, had co-operated admirably in their efforts to prepare the children foi their entertainment, hence the gratifying success. Four hundred children, all uniformly attired, were accommodated on tiers of seats raised from tho platform. There was a large audience of 1200. The concert opened with the singing of the National Anthem. The children of the Central School gave a capital rendering of an Irish song which won hearty applause. Miss Harrison sang a solo with much acceptance, and the West End School pupils gave an action song,,"The British Flag," which was greatly enjoyed. "Boys of the Ocean Blue," a, concerted number, led by Mr. Day, was agreeably treated. A novel item was a contribution by the Convent pupils, entitled "The Newspapers." Four groups of children costumed to represent "Chatterbox," "Black and White," 'Punch," r.nd "Tit-Bits," respectively appeirert on the stage, and gave vocnl descriptions of the journals mentioned. .Other items included, "Ood of Nations." "Work," and drill exercises by pupils of the Fitzroy School, and an item by the High School pupils. During the evening Mr. L. B. Webster offered at auction a basket of sweets that had been prepared by the children of the Central School. The basket was sold twelve times, two of the bidders being the Mayor and Mayoress. The gross proceed of the entertainment totalled £52 2s (id, including door receipts £32 lCs 3d, sale of sweets £!) Cs !)d, sale of basket o« sweets '.-Cnvliis fid, guessing weight'of cake £3 4a. Other receipts arc expected. Mr. McLeod, secretary of the Comforts Week Committee, expressed his keen admiration of the work of the children and teacher:;, and thanked the audience for their attendance. TODAY-GARDEN PARTY, ETC This afternoon, at Pukekura Park, a garden party will be held, under the auspices of the Women's Patriotic Committee, and fine weather only is needed to ensure its success. An orchestra and the Citizens' Junior Band will be in attendance, and the Fitzroy, West End, and Central School children will give spectacular displays on tl»» "Rec." Afternoon tea will be provided, and there will also be a number of "tails on the ground. If the afternoon proves wet, I the function will take place in Pre Coronation Hall.

To-night, the grounds will be again illuminated, and boating on the lake will attract many. Come and take a,'journey in the gondola, accompanied by the mandoline and guitar band! A glee party will warble sweet melodies from the Jake and the poet's bridge, and the Band will also discourse. To-night ia "A Night in Venice." The patriotic billiard tournament at the Criterion billiard rooms.will conclude this evening, when the semi-final and final matches will be played. la the semi final to-night. Bartlett, scr., will play Christiansen, ft), and the .winner will then meet Dobson in the final. Play will commence at 7 p.m. sharp and in view of the capabilities of the exponents, as well as for the cause the tournament was initiated, a, crowded attendance should witness the game. The manageraW will also donate all takings after seven o'clock this evening towards the Comforts Week Fund, which should benefit considerably as a result. MERRY MUSICAL MAORIS, To-morrow night is the Merry Musics! Maoris' night at the Coronation Hal«. VYaitara has done very well in assisting the many patriotic movements, and this is just one more to add to the nv.mlier. There is no parochialism about the matter. The revenue derived from the performance gees into the New Plymouth Comforts Fund for the boys at the front. The management is not taking it back to Waitara, The object is a good one, and the same can be said of the performance. The only trouble'the members have had so far is the continuous calls for encores, and as Ihe performers are out to give their best, they have acceded to the demands of the audience in this respect. It has b:en very gratifying to them to know that their efforts have met with the appreciation of patrons. Although seating accommodation has been provided for 1200 people, judging from the number that have expressed their intention of being at the performance there will be quite a lot who will have to stand. Owing to the fact of the Hussars and Perriots expressing their intention of being present the preformanee will not begin until 8.15, so as to allow of their getting from the station after the arrival of the mail train. Patrons niv advised to get in early for the best seats.

PIERROTS AND HUSSARS. dver thirty member:, of The Pierrot band met at the Soldiers' Club rooms last evening, when further arrangements were entered into fcr tlu> visit of the Wanganui Hussars., Mr. Broakman, chairman, reported that most of the collection lists had b?ni completed, and it was decided that members ;y.";>t nt the depot this afternoon, and again at 7 p.m. for the p-irpoc of wrapping parcels. Mr F. O. .1. Be'lr' ; i:ger was appointed marsh.".! for Friday night's procession, which, in addition to the Hussars, Swankcrs' Baud, and Pierrots, will include a railway-men's turn-out, TJarktown Fir.' Brigade, Boy Scouts, and Returned Soldiers. The chairman also ropnrted'~lhat the Mock Court would he held at intervals in the Empire Picture Theatre. He was enabled to say that a staff of tempor.irv had been enrolled, and counsel had been engaged. All lorries necessary for Saturday's proceedings had been ollVred. In mentioning the need for attendance of members to tie up parcels, Mr Brookman remarked that one rbvan Street tradesman had donated much over CiO worth ( of goods. , The matter of auctioneering the more

valuable articles on Saturday was left to Mr. \j. B. Webster to arrange.

The committee particularly request that donors of goods, which may not be collected tliis morning by the canvassers, shall be left at the depot (Hooker's rooms, Egmont Street) not later than 1 o'clock to-day. This is necessary, as there are thousands of parcels, none of which will be less than Is in commercial value, to be tied up. After it had been decided to bold another meeting at 7 p.m. on Friday, the Pierrots adjourned for a musical rehearsal, which went very well. The local "hits" on Saturday promise to cause a furore. , All the bedding, etc., required for the furnishing of the Railwayman's Red Cross Van in Monday's procession was kindly supplied by Mr. C. Harrison, of the Grosvenor Hotel. On acount of the heavy rain of yesterday, the patriotic match that was" arranged to take place on the town bowling green this afternoon has had to be abandoned. Die Mayoress asks all the Women's Patr;otie Committee and helpers to be at Pukekura Park at 11 o'clock this morning. Donations for the afternoon tea, v ill ba thankfully received.