THE BIG PUSH.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1917, Page 6

THE BIG PUSH.

A GREAT SUCCESS. ESTIMATED RESULT, .£ISOO. The Rip Push on Saturday, originated and carried through by the New Plymouth branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association, was a big success, financially and otherwise, and the result will be a very handsome contribution to the Returned Soldiers' Fund. With the object of raising £SOO as a donation to the fund, the promoters started to work organising and arranging some weeks ago, and so heartily were they supported with donations, subscriptions, and promises of liberal assistance that it soon became apparent they had considerably underestimated the extent of public response. So it was that when the real day's work was in active progress on Saturday hopes were confidently entertained of doubling the original figure, but probably up to the last it was not expected that it would be trebled. Now, however, it is practically a certainty that this will be more than accomplished. As will be seen from details given below, the receipts at present amount to £1213, and with the amounts yet to came in, the grand total is confidently expected to reach £ISOO, if not more. In Saturday's campaign the soldiers were ably assisted by the Pierrots and members of the various town patriotic organisations. The combined attacks of this army of workers proved irresistible wherever directed, their assaults upon the purses of the public could not be repulsed, and all along the line the capture of considerable loot was effected. The main thoroughfare, Devon Street, was the centre of operations, and forenoon, afternoon, and evening it was the scene of great crowds and much activity. Khaki-clod soldiers and picturesquely garbed Pierrots vied with each other in energy and dash, mingled with the multitude in active performance of their allotted duties, and there must have been few indeed among the many who thronged the street who escaped tribute to their blandishments and importunities. The fact that there seemed to be no desire to elude these appeals no doubt greatly assisted the raiders. At various parts of Devon Street stalls for the sale of fancy goods, sweets, (lowers, and other attractive articles did excellent business all day long. The butcher's shop was again the scene of continuous and bustling activity, the etock being practically sold out before the time of closing arrived. The Mart was in charge of the Red Cross ladies, headed by Mesdames Walker and Crooks (vice-presidents), while the Mayoress and her energetic ladies' committee directed the operations at the street stalls. Members of the High School Old Girls' Association ran the tea rooms at Mr. C. O. Hawke's old shop, and were most liberally patronised, and they are desirous of heartily thanking the High School boys for most willing and acceptable assistance in equipping and adorning the | rooms. In the evening, one of the most notable features was the Pierrots' lorry in Brougham Street, at the corner of Devon Street, where raffles for all sorts of articles were vigorously conducted, with gratifying pecuniary results. | Also in Brougham Street, at the cor- : ncr opposite the lorry, the Citizens' ! Band contributed their very highly apprei oiated assistance. They played for j about two hours, the musie being greatly enjoyed, as was evidenced by the applause that greeted each of the items. The following was the programme submitted:—Quickstep, "With Trumpet and Drum" (A. F. Weldon); valse de concert, "The Song of the Dance" (Picquard); march, "Bravo, the Anzaes" (Riinmer); grand selection, "William Tell" (Rimmer); cornet polka, "ClickClack" (Greenwood), Bandmaster P. W. (I. MeLood soloist; march, "The Royai Australian Xavy" (Lithgow); and quickstep. "The Merry Musicans" (Farrell). The band experienced some difficulty at first through inadequate lights, and desire to thank Messrs F. H. Robertson and Co. for coming to their rescue with a supply of "Wizards." The following is a detailed statement of the amount actually received by the treasurer, Mr. -X. C. Harding, on Saturday: £ s d

• Under a number of the headings various sums have yet to come which will appreciably swell the total, so that the treasurer, Mr. N. C. Harding, is quite confident that £ISOO will be easily topped. i SALE OP FLAG.

The following is a list of the bids for the' ensign presented by the High School Old Girls' Association at the concert on Friday night: Mr. Newton King, £2O; Mr. C. H. Burgess, £2 2s. Mrs. E. A. Walker, £7 7s; Mr. J. Connett, £5 sb; Mr. A. Gold water, £3 3s; Archdeacon Evans, £2 2s; Mr. P. B. Fitzherbert, £3 3s; Mr. P. J. Flannagan, £2 2s j Mr. H. G. Sergei, £3 3s; Mr. F. S. Butler, £1 Is; Mr. J. R. Bill, £1 Is; Mr. Morlev, £1 Is; Mr. E. P. Webster, £1 Is; M"r. T. B. Blanchett, £1 Is; Mrs. Flannagan, £1 is; Mr. H. Ward, £1 Is. Mr. A. B. Gibson, £1 Is; Miss Goldwater, 10 3 6d; Anonymous, 10b «d; Mr. \V. Harvey (Fitzroy), 10s 6d; a lady, 10s fid; Mrs. Kelly, 10s «d; Mr. C. Fairbrother, £1 Is; New Plymouth Male Choir, £2 2s; Mr. R. Whale, £2 2s—(total, £9i 8s 6d. A basket of violets donated by Mrs. E. A. Walker was Bold to Mrs. Greatbatch for 10b 6d. RAFFLES. The following raffles were decided on Saturday, those for the doll's house, the pony, and the big art union having yet to be drawn:—" Doll donated by Mm. W. Hoakift-s Miw Giloift.

One month's double season ticket for People's Pictures.—J. C. Harvey. Cake, presented by Mrs. Nolan.—Miss (McGonagle. > Rose cake, unknown donor.—Mrs. Rennell. Patriotic cake, donated by Mrs. Rolfe. —Miss Blair. Doll, returned soldier—Mrs. E. G. Allen. Flour and tea.—R. A. Large, J. Loveridge, R. J. Deare, Mrs. Beattie, Carr. Pair fowls.—Flay. Gold watch and pipe.—A. Cole. Wheelbarrow.—J. Hutchen. Big Ben clock.—A. Jury. Cake.—Mrs. Parker. Silver watch and pipe.—W. E. Skelton. Gadd's ham.—J. Hicks. Persian kitten.—R. George. Tigerskin coat.—Lainaka. Belgian sausage.—A. Marsh. Electric iron.—F. C. Symes. Plough chains. —J. Lobb. Pair ducks and pair fowls. —Mrs. Pratt. Ham—W. Honeyiield, H. Plumb, M. Shaw, Red Post. Anzac flag—W. P. Nicoll. ■Bacon.—Mr.s Hodson. Tea, butter, and bacon.—"Mrs. Turrell. Flour, tea, and bacon.—C. McLeod. Pair (of dressed dolls.—Mrs. E\ G. Allen. 'Blankets and quilt.—J. J. Kendall. Ham nnd flour.—Miss Smith. Doll, and pram.—E. Challis. Suit length.—Miss Hutchings. 101b sugur—E. Bell. Pair footstools.—Mulvey. Cheose, bacon, tea, and flour.—P. J. Flannagan. Fern palm.—Mrs. Hill. Case of stuffed birds.—R. H. George.

Steps and forms.—J. Stunney. Ladies' costumes.—V. Baily. Pair Anzac pictures.—H. Plumb. Picture. —Jacobs. Whip-lash and sovereign purse. — Joynt. Union Jock.—R. Cock (Piccadilly Tea ['Rooms).

•FURTHER GIFTS. The following gifts to the "Big Push" effort are acknowledged:— W. Corbett, one heifer; Mrs. W. Corbett; two ducks and a drake; McNeill, one ham; White and Sons, 140 parcels; Corrigal, goods; Mrs. Rundel, home made bread, jam and pickles; Mawkes, walking stick; E. Elliott, jnr., ribbon : W. Honcyfield, fat sheep; 'Mrs. and Mr. Honner, fat pig; R. Clemow, milk and cream; W. J. Honeyfield, fat sheep; G. Thrush, case stuffed birds; Moscow Restaurant, one ham; Tariki Co-op. Dairy Company, three cheese; S. G. Hine, goods; L. Earp, picture frames; J. .Mace, ducks and fowls eggs.

Cash donations: —Alf. Rowe, Bell Block Friend, S. A. Dailey, £1; Mrs. and Mr. Honner, £3; Miss Honner, P. Honnor, £1; employees Thos. Avery, £3 10s : St. Andrew's Senior Bible Class (girls), C. F. Weston, Ansford Bros., L. Houlahan, £1; Friend, T. James, 10s; F. North, Mrs. H. Allen, ss; Miss Porter, 2s 6d; Mrs. C. Allen, Mrs. R. B. Reid, ss; Mrs. Anstis, Mrs. Bailey, Meyenberg, Metealf, Miss Hare, Mrs. Vickers, £1; Pearson, Mrs. Hare, Mr. "Moore, JOs; Mr. Crockett, Sanger, £1; Hughes, Emmis, Quickfall, Townslee, Seamark; ss; Miss Elliott, C. Ennis, Miss Townsley, 2s Od; Mr. Shrimpton, £1; Mr. Vickers, £2; D. Mace, £1; Miss Wells, Mrs. Clemow, 10s ; Mr. Anstis, ss; Mrs. Spence, £l.

IW 10 104 88 18 0 44 19 6 88 13 6 •20 10 5 5 15 0 8 8 0 Season ticket, People's Pic2 10 0 6 4 9 18 0 94 4 5 13 0 64 16 4i 34 7 8J 3-2 19 -11 Flower stall ......'.,.;.>....I 31 S 3 18 0 0 0 19 2 41 4 6J 1 6 0 0 15 6 111 1 0 Sale of Anzac flag (£91 8 6d, less uncollected £33 56 4 6 Total £908 4 4 305 0 0 '£1213 4 4