TO RAISE £l000.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1922, Page 6

TO RAISE £l000.

STRATFORD RETAILERS’ BIG EFFORT FOR IMPROVING SCHOOL GROUNDS. The* Stratford Retailers’ Association are to be commended for the very enthusiastic manner in which they have thrown themselves info the undertaking to raise £lOOO in a week for improving the grounds of the new Technical High School. It is the ambition of the good people of Stratford to make that, school the centre for agricultural instruction in Taranaki, and, realising the importance of this, the Stratford Retailers’ Association willingly agreed to raise £lOOO. This looked a big undertaking at the present time, but the executive, right from the moment they adopted the idea, have thrown themselves whole-heartedly into the scheme. They have been well supported by the members of the association, who have provided no less than 20,000 articles, all of which are to be distributed by means of shilling envelopes, and all are worth value. Included among them are 1000 special prizes, ranging in value up to £5 ss. The committee have taken up the premises formerly occupied by the Union Bank of Australia, situated centrally in Broadway. This is a veritable scene of activity, as here can be seen the leading business men of Stratford, some seated in solemn conclave, discussing ways and means of boosting the .scheme, while others are looking after the front of the establishment, which has been filled up as a well-equipped shop with a large number of special prizes displayed therein, varying from vacuum cleaners, tins of benzine, wristlet watches, travelling rugs, ladies’ rubber coats, tea sets and articles of furniture, etc. Included also are motor trips, one in particular being for the fortunate winner and six friends to Opunake beach for a day. There are also joints of veal, three miles of sausages, hams, etc. Indeed, every business man in' Stratford has, besides devoting his time, given very liberally in valuable goods. All that, is now required is for the settiers in the district served by the High School—and that is practically the whole of Taranaki—to assist the effort by purchasing envelopes for the modest, sum of one shilling. The committee already feel that they have the public behind them, as the envelopes are going off very freely, and with the special effort that is to be made on the occasion of the A. and P. gymkhana to-day, also on Friday and Saturday, there is every prospect of the scheme being successful. Indeed, it only remains for each to do his bit. to ensure complete success. Prizes will lie distributed on Saturday, but arrangements will be made whereby country people can get. their parcels later. Tickets are being sold by members of the Retailers’ Association, and by the teachers of all schools in the district. Anyone, however, on posting the necessary amount to the Stratford Retailers’ Association, can have as many tickets as he desires posted to him, but, as the scheme definitely ends on Saturday, such letters would need to be received on or before that date.