RED CROSS COMMITTEE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 240, 7 October 1916, Page 17

RED CROSS COMMITTEE.

The first special meeting of the Ladies' ! General Committee of the Red Cross Society took place on Wednesday afternoon. There was a large attendance. Mrs. Parkes presided and read apologies for tiie unavoidable absence of several members. The speaker explain*-: that the meeting had been called to arrange for an official opening of the Red Cross rooms. The governor had asked everybody to make the 19th a special day for Red Cross purposes, and a big appeal will be started on the 12th and will be carried on till the 19th. it had been suggested by the Mayor (Mr. Gunson) that the first thousand pounds ehould be ■for local use, but the rest should be for! the work of the society in general. In! connection with' this special appeal, one evening would be devoted to a lecture on the war by Mr. Wilford, and another evening it was propoeed to make into a reminiscent evening by various doctors, soldiers, and chaplains, who ■ would eath j be asked to relate some incident they' had seen on the fighting fronts. The subject of street collecting had also been mentioned, but the majority of the committee thought it had been rather overdone. Mrs. Benjamin propoeed that members have boxes for small sums, as it was difficult to handle very small donations, yet they were needed. Mrs. Gillies seconded this, and it was decided that any member wishing boxes coul<l obtain them by request. The subject o! the opening day then came forward, and Mre. Bloomfield proposed that it take the form of a gift afternocra, everybody who came to bring a gift of some garment. The subject of members eupplyin? : refreshments or of having them catered for was discussed. Mrs. Gillies said that the greatest thing was to keep the sentiment of the Red Cross work in their minds, and she proposed that every lady who liked to help should be asked to provide the cakes and afternoon tea. After discussion it was decided that the price to be charged should be eixpence— the tea to be held upstairs and to be open to the general public. The subject of selling buttons, as done in -Australia, came forward, and a committee was formed, witii Mis. Benjamin (convener), Miss Firth, Mrs. Skipworth, Mrs. Chapman, Mrs Gray, Mise King to assist. The form the badge to be worn 'by "the members ehould take was left for the consideration of the Men's Committee. Itwas suggested that a flag be chosen. Mrs. Parkes expressed the thanks of the ladies to Mr. Court, who had lent the room and had it arranged for them./ Miss Mjurray, the supervisor of' the rooms, was introduced to the meeting. Parkes explained that Miss Murray had volunteered, to be there every day from ten o'clock as long as the rooms remained open. A member of the committee would be with her, and general members would be notified upon the day jt v was their turn ..-to com e and assist. 3:~ni6£ feet "'room' liad been provided by Mr. Fleming, and the committee was very grateful for this donation, for which she thanked Mr. Fleming. A. vote of thanks to the chair 'terminated the meeting.