While the response to the various appeals that have already been made has been splendid, it was thought that, by organising a great gathering, or series of gatherings, on one particular day, a large sum of money might be raised.
It was particularly fitting that yesterday should have been appointed for such an appeal, since it was the anniversary of one of the most stirring events of British history, and an occasion on which it might be expected that the sense of national pride and the feelings of Imperial unity being stimulated, all should be inclined to give to the utmost extent their means permitted to aid those who are united to them by the common bonds of Empire, and who are bearing want and distress in order that Britain may remain free.
Four public meetings were held, and the prices of admission were graduated so that all pockets might be suited, no limit being placed on the amount that might be paid for admission anywhere. At the Octagon Hall the price was 10s or better; at His Majesty's Theatre, 5s or better; at the Princess Theatre, 2s 6d or better; and at the Garrison Hall, a silver coin, or a gold coin, if the entrant could afford it.
The public responded to the appeal in a most generous manner. A half-holiday had been proclaimed by the Mayor, and the liberated public, instead of going off to perhaps more congenial amusements, accepted the holiday in the spirit in which it was offered, and honourably attended the meetings, as they were meant to.
It was easily seen that no niggardliness characterised the public yesterday. All did not flock to the Garrison Hall, to seek to get the glow of patriotic achievement as cheaply as possible. There were many people in the more expensive halls, and not only the rich of the community, but many who had, no doubt, taken literally the appeal of the promoters of the meetings to ''forgo some comfort'' in order to be present.
The town was gaily decorated with bunting, and the general set of the people in the streets in the early afternoon was towards one of the four halls. The children of the city schools turned out in vast numbers, and marched along with their bands playing, and it was noticeable that already the children have learnt to render very creditably Tommy Atkins' soldier's chorus, ''It's a Long Way to Tipperary''.
In the halls the programmes were very similar. There were the same two principal speakers at each hall - The Revs. R. S. Gray and A. Wynne Thomas - and the proceedings in each case were similar, consisting of patriotic songs and selections. Collections were taken up, the Rev.
Mr Gray making a special appeal after his address in each hall. Starting at 25, he asked those who were prepared to give certain sums to hold up their hands, gradually reducing the ''hurdle'' until it reached 1.
• The citizen of Dunedin who entered the city in this morning to attend to his business found the buildings gay with bunting, and a consciousness of something unusual afoot amongst the people that has not existed in the past times of peace, when the tendency has been for Trafalgar Day to be taken as a matter of course.
Flags were everywhere, the British banner predominating, while the national emblems of the Allies were as frequent as the limited number that exist in the city permitted.
The large flagstaff in the Triangle was surmounted by the flags of Britain and the Allies, and on the stays was displayed, in the naval flag code, Nelson's signal: ''England expects that every man this day will do his duty''.
- ODT, 22.10.1914.
