THE BIG PUSH.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1917, Page 4

THE BIG PUSH.

CAMPAIGN SUCCESSFULLY OPENED The "Big Push" campaign, in aid | the Returned Soldiers' Fund, was star® last evening, the butcher's shop in Devon street, opposite Everybody's Theatre, being opened with a magnificent display of meat, poultry, small goods, etc.. in the afternoon, and a grand concert wa> given in the People's Picture Theatre in the evening. It was apparent from the outset that the members of the New Plymouth Returned Soldiers' Association had entered ir f o the campaign with characteristic vi;;nr p,.nd ardor, as ihe result of to-day's operations may safely 'be left to prove. The measure of Support already accorded by the public is extreme, ly encouraging, and portends the realisation of a very handsome sum in aid of the object in view. THE MEAT SHOP. Almost immediately after the doors were opened the meat shop was crowded and most gratifying business was done, the takings amounting to , about £SO. The attendants were mostly soldietlads, and with the assistance of a number of local butchers they managed the business excellently, giving complete satisfaction to all their patrons. ' Some of the customers even insisted upon giving more than the prices asked for. In one instance an old soldier, crippled as the result of a wound sustained in action, threw down £1 for 31bs of pork, and resolutely refused any change, accepting, however, though with some reluctance, a cut of steak for his breakfast. There were other incidents of similarly encouraging and pleasing nature, so that the butchers—amateur and professional—had every reason to be pleased with their night's work. The meat shop will be opened again to-day with a replenished stock,, and will, no doubt, do a roaring business. THE CONCERT.

The programme for the concert was not a .long one on paper, but as every item was encored, it lasted till a late hour. There was a very large audience, the hall being crowded in every part. After |an overture by the orchestra, Mr. S. H. Dunstan sang "When You Come Home," with fine effect. Miss Hirst followed with a capitally-played pianoforte bolo, "Air de Ballet," and then Mra Wilkes' melodious mezzo-soprano wat heard to great advantage in the songs "Mountain Lovers" and "Valley of Laughter," the latter in response to an imperative encore. A well-rendered violin solo by Mr. W. 3. Litchwark, a vocal solo—"Spirit Flower"—effectively given by Mr. L. Webber, and a spirited elocutionary item—"Hell Gate of Soissons" j —completed the first part. In the second part, Mr. T. Gormley, of Hawera, was the first performer, and his patriotic appeal, which consisted of the song "Glory Hallelujah," was accompanied by a shower of coins upon the stage, the amount thus realised being about £6. Having thus had one taste of Mr. Gormley's quality, the audience simply insisted on more, and he complied with a couple of lively and amusing songs, entitled "Tl\o Tanks of Piccadilly," and "Oh! Father, Don't You Know th j Game?" After the Ven. Archdeacon Evans had delivered a brief address in s\ipport of the cause all had at heart, Mr. C. Fairbrother, in Pierrot costume, offered for sale a silken ensign, presented by the New Plymouth High School Old Girls' Association. The bidding was spirited from the start; the flag was bought and given for sale again and again, until the total realised was £B3, the highest bid being £2O, and the flag still remained the property of the association. The concert was then resumed, th« concluding items being a comic ditty "Private Michael Cassidy." by Mr. Gormley, and two very finely-rendered part songs by the New 'Plymouth Male Choir, under the eonductorship of Mr. F. W. G. McLeod. The first of these concerted numbers wjs "To the Death," the last verse having to be repeated to the audience, while the second—"Comrades in Arms"—was also enthusiastically received, and the choir contributed an additional item—"Evening"—with equal effect. The concert closed with the singing of the National Anthem. The accompaniments during the evening were in the very capable hands of Miss Hirst and Mr. Arnold Sturrock.

TO-DAY'S HOSTILITIES. The battle will be continued to-day in real earnest, last night's operations being merely of the nature of a preliminary skirmish, when the people's pockets will be stormed as citadels, and it is hoped much booty will be captured. At the tea rooms, in Mr. Hawke's old shop, next the Criterion Hotel, tea. with the usual accompaniments, will be served all day long, and a musical prograflane will be given during the morning and in the afternoon by the Misses Millar, Greatbaeh and McKay.