PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 166, 13 July 1916, Page 2

PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

ANNEAL MEETING HEED. COUNTRY DELEGATES PRESENT. REPORTS ADOPTED. At the first annual meeting of the Auckland Provincial and Patriotic War Relief Association, held yesterday afternoon, there was a large attendance of delegates. The president, Mr. J. H. Gunson, Mayor of Auckland, presided, and extended a cordial welcome to the country delegates. The city delegates present were: —Mesdames J. H. Gunson, David Giliies, .Smith, Messrs. C- RMunro. J. S. Milne, Wesley Spragg, E. Phelan, J. F. Ewen, N. A. Nathan, V. J. Lamer, and A. S. Bankart. From the country those present were: —Messrs. Henry Lowe and J. E. Ensoll (Thames), R. B. Nesbitt (Avondale), W. Jones (Awakino), A. F. Howarth (Waitomo), F. E. Lamb and R M. Somerville (Te Kuiti), G. S. Stedman (Taumarunni), D. Jack (Whangarei), A E. Peterson (Te Awamntu), R. Fisher (Cambridge), R. S. Hanna (Te Aroha), and W. Hill (Rotorua). Mr. Gunson moved the adoption of the annual report of the executive, as already published in the '"Star." Mr. W. Hill (Rotorua), in seconding the adoption of the report of the executive, said that he wished to express the sincere appreciation of country delegates of the excellent work of the executive. Mr. Hill took the opportunity of thanking the Association for the grant of £300 j to aid the work carried out at the con- | valescent headcruarters by the Soldiers' Benefit Association of Rotorua. In moving the adoption of the annual report of the treasurer, Mr. A. S. Bankart referred to the satisfactory nature of the financial arrangements made in the placing of the large sums of money in its charge. Mr. D. Jack seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The following members of the executive, who retire by rotation, were re-elected: Mesdames J. H. Gunson, W. H. l'arkes. and Messrs. G. Elliot, V. J j l.arner, S. Milroy, C. R. Munro, and C. J. Tuuks. A delegate raised the question of assistance to officers to supplement kit allowance. Mr. Gunson said that since August. 1015. the sum of £200 had been advanced by the Association for this purpose, but a month ago it was decided to give no further assistance. Mr. V. J. Lamer said that the advice of the Dominion Advisory Board was that no further grants should he made, it being the clear duty of the Government to equip the officers in the Force. The delegates present indicated their approval of the action of the executive. Mr. Somerville (Mayor of Te Kuiti) mentioned the fact that there was no branch of the Red Cross Society in Auckland province. He said that a sum of XITO had heen collected by a lady in his district for the Red Cross Fund, and a difficulty was being experienced in getling the' money to the proper quarter. On the motion of Mr. Somerville it was decided that Mr. Gunson, as Mayor of Auckland, be requested to take the necessary steps to formulate a provincial branch of the Red Cross Society.

On the motion of Mr. V. J. lamer a very hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Gnnson for his excellent work in the interests of the organisation. A special meeting of the Association, called for 2.30 o'clock, carried the resolution confirming the decision of the executive to transfer £10,000 from the old Citizens' Fund to the fund for the relief of distress in the city of Auckland. The total sum now allocated under this heading is £36,000.