100 years ago — from our archives
Street collection for Red Cross
THE Red Cross collection that was taken up in Dunedin yesterday produced a result that must have been highly gratifying to all concerned. The sale of a neat mascot badge was pushed energetically by the ladies, and as these small pieces of ribbon speedily became a conspicuous feature on the streets, the returns from this source must have reached a very considerable total. The Red Cross stalls were at Jacob’s corner and under the Stock Exchange verandah, and collecting bases on the north and south side of the Octagon were worked by the Overseas Club and the Women’s Club respectively. Donations of produce and other saleable goods supplied the ladies with an excellent stock in trade, the whole of which was disposed of before 6 p.m.
The public responded in a generous manner, and among the special donations were a day’s takings from the directors of the Grand Picture Theatre. In addition the ladies were offering tickets for the Grand Theatre, and these met with a ready sale. During the afternoon the Albany Street School Drum and Fife Band played at several points in the city, and their efforts were instrumental in enhancing the collection to the extent of £4. The ladies kept up their task throughout the morning and afternoon, and by 6 o’clock practically everyone who desired to give had had an opportunity to do so. The total amount collected during the day was some £220, and there were still several small sums outstanding. Tonight the commercial travellers will appear in the streets in their wellremembered pierrot costumes, and will give an entertainment on behalf of the Red Cross Fund. The Coast Defence Band will also render items that should tend greatly to brighten the proceedings.
Dunedin’s neglected appearance
At the last monthly meeting of the Town Planning branch of the Dunedin Amenities and Town Planning Society two items of interest to the public of Dunedin were discussed. The first was the neglected state in which a number of our citizens are content to leave their street frontages. Dilapidated fences and vacant plots of ground growing docks and all manner of noxious weeks are common in various parts of the city. It was felt by members that if owners and occupiers of these properties were given a timely hint they would be willing to attend to these matters, and so greatly improve the appearance of the town and suburbs. If a few of the chief offenders would only take this to heart the force of their good example would be an incentive to others to follow. The second matter was the use of neglected parts of our reserves and town belt for the growing of potatoes and vegetables. The idea that plots of vacant ground should be lent to citizens for their own private use for the growing of food products would be an admirable way of doing something practical in the way of providing against a universal world food shortage, and would also be a very profitable investment for those people who have the energy to take part in this scheme. It is to be hoped that the City Council will give this scheme all the assistance possible.
Iron ore shortages
That the tremendous demand for iron ore, created by the war, has led to close search for new sources of supply on the part of overseas merchants was proved lately by a cabled request received by Mr R. R. Hunt, of Auckland, asking if 3000 tons of iron ore could be shipped from Parapara, Nelson, to England, France, or Italy. After consultation with the Parapara Iron Ore Companies, it was found (says the New Zealand Herald) that none could be shipped, for the reason that capital was lacking to erect the necessary plant to convey and load the ore into the vessel. It was stated that one of the companies had 2000 tons of ore available, but owing to the difficulty mentioned, and the shortage of shipping space, nothing could be done in the matter. As the development of New Zealand’s natural resources is a matter that is receiving a good deal of attention just now, and a heavy demand for iron ore is predicted for many years after the war, the suggestion that the Government should take steps towards aiding this industry, has been made to the Efficiency Board by Mr Hunt.
Mrs Ritchie, of Manutahi, has a record of which she can be very proud. At the present time she has no fewer than six sons serving their King and country, five being in the firing line and one in camp. — ODT, 28.4.1917.