Upset over charity appeal double up

Wellington City Council is accusing the Salvation Army of "hijacking" a tiny charity's street appeal by collecting in the city the same day.

The council gives charity groups one day a year to shake their buckets on Wellington's streets, so Independent Rape Crisis collectors were stunned to find the Salvation Army had got there first.

Rape Crisis claimed the double-up had led to a $7000 drop in takings. A total of $11,500 was collected.

The Salvation Army, which raised $800,000 last week, said it had every right to collect. It said it was the council's job to tell agencies such as Rape Crisis the Salvation Army was having an appeal week.