THE CLARKE MEMORIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1920, Page 4

THE CLARKE MEMORIAL.

THE GIRLS' HOSTEL. AN APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC, One of the first things tak,en up by the late Mayor (Mr. James Clarke) after his election to the Mayoralty wag the provision of a hostel for homeless girls employed in the town, and at the instance of Mr. and Mrs. Clarke, a committee of ladies was set up to give effect to the proposal. Later a men's advisory committee was added. Since then various functions, etc., have been held "• to raise the necessary funds, and for some time past the ladies' committee anil their friends have been busy mak- . ing arrangements for a grand Xmas Fair, which takes place at the Workers' Hall next Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On the tragic and lamented death vof the Mayor, the committee decided that it should make the hostel a memorial to him, thus completing the work initiated by him and his wife. To secure a building adequate for the purpose, and worthy as a memorial, at least £3OOO is required. With the money in hand and the proceeds of the Xmas Fair, a goodly nucleus will be provided, but the committee feels that if the hostel ia to be established in tlie near future it is necessary to secure substantial help direct from the public. With that object in view, the committee desires to make this appeal to the citizens. Jja doing so, it realises that there have been, and still are, many calls upon their generosity, but it would urge that the need for Witable accommodation for working girls in the town is very great indeed. At present there is 110 prospect of thing* improving in this respect; rather the reverse, and it is a condition that in a town of the importance of New Plymouth cannot be considered desirable. Other towns have had to meet the same position by providing hostels' under proper supervision, where girls can receive the same treatment and have the conveniences and comforts of a home. The idea is to make the hostel self-support-ing, which can be done if sufficient money is forthcoming to buy and equip a suitable building. Several buildings are under offer to the committee, which does not propose to take action, in this matter until sufficient funds are available, ' There is, of course, the more important reason why the proposal should be supported. It is that it provides a fitting memorial to the late Mr. Clarke, who gave the best years of his life to New Plymouth, and during his term as Mayor worked so unselfishly and energetically on behalf of the town. The hostel was his own scheme. He desired it to be non-sectarian in character, and to be started in a way that would not entail too big a strain subsequently upon the resources of the committee of management. The committee feels certain that nil will contribute according to their menus, and so forward a project upon which the late Mayor was so keen. The committee desires to set out the financial position as it is at present, and to publish particulars of subscriptions that have been promised since it was dej cided to make the hostel a memorial ti the late Mayor. •

CHRISTMAS FAIR NEXT WEEK. CARNIVAL FOR YOUNG 7 AND OLD. reel-'' t? c l'™taias-four . eel t° d J3 ChrigtlDg| a ded 111 the announcement that prepAra ions are now well forward VoX U istmas J-air which is to be held in ThiindSv v'.' I f eW on we k ami n and Satnrda y of been"mat a " an ß ejnent9 which We ■for i \ ,?• thrße da y s ' l ' a » lival Wn'iT g , mdicate a highly cn."v Sic 7" for the Fair will tf l ' 7 "'J*'" 00 " and "ening the iair will be m full swing. .J™ i' Uli \« nte / Ui >»ticrit is being ar-C-hri- a? ,1 f « the fund ' for the tlaike Memorial Girls' Hostel is suffici- ' , e ! lsi ."'° \ va ™-hearted public SUp--11 it, but it will also bring a splendid opportunity to buy Christmas gifts from selo.fon of pretty' and useful ' r /, w '" " le keynote $ of the many stalls, one of which will be ui iiel.v devoted to Christmas presents, . . t,lere Wlll also be a bag stall, a plain needle-work stall, and a dolls' stall. The joys for the children will not end at the doll stall, f or there will be two lucky tubs (one for boys and the other for girls), SWO ets stall, and other things to j>]oasi> the young. Special arrangements are being made to make the Fair attractive to children, ? .'"W't'on to stalls catering solely for their wants, a special feature will be a Christmas tree, laden with'a wealth °, R ?°l tl,hlfi *- Satnrda .V will be Children s Day, and the Christmas Tree will appear at 7 o'clock 011 Saturday evening. Another interesting arrival on Saturday night will be Father Christmas himself, with his bag full of presents. Each day a produce stall will be held, and on Saturday afternoon this will be managed by the ladies of Bell Block, Hillsborough, and Sentry Hill. Each evening there will be dances and musical items, and Mrs, George's orchestra has been engaged for each evening, while "The Chamber of Mystery'' ivill be another feature of the evening. Afternoon tea, ice-creams, and fruit salad will be obtainable daily. The Fair will lie opened on Thursday afternoon by Mrs. E. A. Walker. It will be open each afternoon from 2.30 to ii.,10 and each evening from 7 to 10, except on .Saturday, when it will remain open till 11 p.m.

£ s d Cash in hand 315 0 Mr. and Mrs. Ji. King .. 50 0 0 I'r. and Mrs. E. A. Walker SO 0 0 ' Mr. & Mrs. A. Alexander SO 0 sir. & Mrs. T. C. List .. 50 0 Mr. J. MeLeod .... no 0 0 Ore of the Committee .. '0 0 (1 Mr. ,T. B. Roy no 0 0 .Messrs. Weston & Billing ro 0 0 Mr. and lira. L. a. \oj tll 0 0 Mr. & Mrs. E. P. WeWjr 23 0 c Mr. & Mrs. \y. H. Moy-.s o o 'I'aranaki Herald & Budget 25 0 0 Mr. Croker o Q Mr. ,T. H. Quiiiu-n" "" 4»o Mews ,1. Avery & Soas £5 Mr. J. c. Nicholson ,,,, 25 0 o Mr. A. Humphries . 20 0 o Mr. T. H. Bates .. 10 lft o Br. Home .... 10 10 o Sir. R. W. I). Robertson 10 10 0 Mr. and Mrs W. c. Weston o A Friend of Mr. Clarke's 5 0 lv,tal £932 0