IRISH RED CROSS EFFORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1918, Page 6

IRISH RED CROSS EFFORT.

A SiPLENDID RESULT. The effort of the Irish members of the community on behalf of Red Cross funds, which culminated on Saturday, when the Mart was controlled by tlie Irish Day local committee, was a splendid success. Tho Mart was plentifully stocked with all kinds of home-made goods, and the day's business was most satisfactory Other stalls included plain and fancy work, sweets and produce, and flowers, and these gave the locality of the Mart on atmosphere of additional briskness. Surmounting the stalls ware British and Irish flags and Sags representative of other of the Allied nations. Mrs S. Hooper was in charge of the Mart, assisted by Mesdames, Whittle, Oliver. Bennett, McKean, J. Hawkin, Duffin, Courtenay, Costello, Duller, Knight, Nolan, 'Hughes, Misses Hurley, Bennett, and Carey, and a number of other willing helpers. The flower stall, which made a particularly attractive display, was in charge of Mesdames F. A- Walker and H. J. S Brookman, who were also assisted by Mrs. lienny, Miss Collis, and Colleens JJ. and D. Healey, J. Bennett, Rita Whittle, Lily Blueman, and others, in appropriate eostumes, who sold buttonholes and badges. Other means utilised for the purpose of inducing people to part with their money included an Irish jaunting-car, which paraded the streets and succeeded in gathering in a good sum of money. Mr. Lovell (Westown), who was appropriately dressed, was in charge of the turn-out, and the bells on tlie horse proclaimed its presence throughout the day "Dr. Dick" (Mr. W Jenkinson), jylio has given valuable assistance on many such occasions, was also a conspicuous figure in the proceedings, and in collecting a goodly sum. The dancing platform in Brougham Street was in charge of Mr. Mcßae, and pipe music for reels was supplied by Mr. J. Wade, of Stratford, while Mr. Barry supplied piccolo music for the jigs and hornpipes. The dangers were all in Irish or Scotch oostiune, and were:-t Misses McNeill Adams, Mcßae, M. Fahey, Cameron, and Messrs Mcßae, A\ Fahey, and Barry. A number of special gifts were received by tho committee, and some of these were auctioned in the street. One such gift wai a sod of earth, which was donated by a lady who brought it from Ireland, and donated half of it for the Red Cross funds- Mr MoN. Adams also donated a prize sheep dog (sold for £2 ss), and these gifts were auctioned by Mr. W T. Jennings, M.P. A building section at Tukapa Road, Westown, was offered to the committee by Mr. J. Hawkin, and this was raffled, practically the whole of the 2000 tickets being sold- The raffle will be drawn at the Soldiers Club at 8 o'clock to-night. In addition to the names already mentioned. the following also rendered valuable assistance in connection with the effort:—Messrs W. T Jennings, M.P(chairman of committee), J. Bennett, and M. Healy (treasurer), Mesdames Duffin and Whittle, and Miss McCarthy. The whole effort resulted in a sum of, approximately, £6OO being raised for the Red CJross, the details being as follow: — The committee desire to thank the following for valuable during the proceedings:—Misses Branley and Bates (Niger House), the Boy Scouts, Messrs L. A. Nolan (for tables), Mr. Garvev (of Stratford, for motor). Mr. Sturtevant (for balance-sheet?), Mr. Reid (Sash and Door Company, timber for dancing platform), and Mr. Coleman for erecting same, and McLeod and 'Slade for badges.