£800 WANTED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 3, 15 October 1940, Page 4

£BOO WANTED.

ASHBURTON RIDING’S QUOTA. AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. Keen interest is being shown by residents of the Ashburton riding, of the County in the highly-important function of raising war funds. Last evening, at Eiffelton, a largely-attend-ed meeting, presided over by the County Chairman (Mr &. iP 1 . Taylor) made extensive plans for filling the district quota, in the appeal about to be launched) throughout, the Dominion for patriotic purposes, after the Chairman had fully outlined the scheme. The County Clerk (Mr G . Kelly) also gave details of organisation regarding the raising and spending of the money and enumerated the various duties and responsibilities of provincial patriotic committees.

“The Ashburton riding’s proportion of the £13,000 allocated to the district is, £800,” said Air Taylor, who .asked the meeting to express opinions as to means of collection. Rate increase Sought. It was stated by a number of persons that it would be more equitable if the County Council increased its .rates by that amount and thereby brought .about a fairer contribution by the people of the district. The chairman pointed out that- the rates for the current year had already been struck and that the Council had no legal power to strike additional .rates for this purpose. Air Taylor added 1 , however, that if the meeting would pass a resolution, recommending the Council to adopt this method of colsuch recommendation could be considered by the, Council next year. Gymkhana Suggested.

It was decided that the personal appeal would he the best method of raising the amount required, to be followed, if necessary, by a. gymkhana. Air and Airs J. H. Grigg’announced that they were prepared to give the use of their homestead for a. gymkhana and this statement was received with acclamation by the meeting.

It was decided that the various patriotic committees of the riding should undertake the responsibility .of organising the district, adjusting boundaries and actively carrying on the personal appeal for the amount required. As an indication to the people: of the district as to the amount they should contribute, the chairman announced that the matter had been discussed by the Council. On investigating the figures it seemed that if all farmers contributed an amount equal to a quarter of their County rates, the Ashburton riding’s quota, would be filled, provided that non-ratepayers gave not less than 13s 4d a. head' for themselves and families and that no contribution was lower thaw on this basis. It was mentioned that some persons with large families could, possibly, not afford such an amount, but then larger contributions would no doubt be made by others.

The various committees then met to define boundaries and to set the organisation going.

Waste Metals,

Waste materials, such as non-ferrous metals, many of which are in short supply in the Dominion, were discussed and an interesting report on the position was submitted by Mr H. H. Hawkins, secretary of the EifFelton Committee'. He stated! that already considerable quantities of these metals had been collected by the school, and ho would soon be in a. position to notify the County Council when, to collect, sort and dispatch them to the proper quarter.

THE EFFORT AT WAKANUI.

COMMITTEES' 'SET 1 UP. Members of the Wakanui Patriotic Committee met in the Wakanui Hall on Saturday night to -take further steps in their effort to contribute to the Dominion-wide £1,000,000 call for war funds. Mr F. Frampton presided and the County Chairman (Mr S. P. Taylor) and County Clerk 'Mr G. Kelly) explained the regulations. They also supplied information, as to the collection and disposal of patriotic funds. The district was organised -and collectors were appointed! to make a personal appeal to residents. Reference was made to the necessity, also, of collecting non-ferrous metals and to the formation of the Home Guard. A further meeting will he held on a date yet to be fixed.