More Info →World War One fund raising procession

Part of the 'Final Battle Campaign for Sick and Wounded Soldiers' fund raising procession outside the Soldier's Club which was built at the corner of Cuba and George Streets by the Patriotic Society in 1917, later known as Returned Servicemen Association building. The Patriotic Society was created in 1916, during World War One, for fund raising and welfare purposes. This fund raiser ran 25 February 1918 for 3 to 4 weeks, raising 20 thousand pounds. The town of Palmerston North and outlying districts were divided into fundraising areas, with groups being given military names. Palmerston North had four such groups, named the Western Grenadiers, Northern Fusiliers, Eastern Guards and Southern Bombardiers. On 27 February a monster procession was held, with decorated cars and motorbikes, the tank pictured was an entrant in that procession. Other fund raising activities included a Monster Art Union, with prizes including a 500 pound Buick car (Flaxmillers Association), 200 pound land sections at Levin (Keiller Bros. & Mrs Geoffrey Potts), a 200 pound racehorse (Leo Collinson of Collinson & Cunninghame, a keen racing man), a gig from Bett & Bayly, a spring dray from Adam Burges, a Jersey bull from Mrs Geoffrey Potts, unbroken horses, and various shop goods such as a chesterfield couch, typewriter and wedding cake valued at £3. There was also a Princess Carnival, giant garden party at the Nathans, a concert, school sports competition, casino night and children's fancy dress ball.