PROPOSED VETERANS' HOMES.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11333, 24 July 1902, Page 5

PROPOSED VETERANS' HOMES.

- — - MEETING OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE. A largely attended and representative meeting of the General Committee of the Veterans' Home, appointed at the meeting on Tuesday evening, was held in the City Council Chamber yesterday afternoon. The Mayor occupied the chair, and his Excellency the Governor was also present. The Mayor said his Excellency hail asked him to say that if there was any question upon which the meeting required information he would be glad to give it. No questions were asked. The Mayor said that he thought the best method of storting the movement practically would bs to appoint a small Executive, n hich would do its best to cany out the ideas of bis Excellency in the establishment of Veteran Homes in the colonyH* accordingly moved—"That an Executive Committed be appointed, comprising seven members, to whom should be committed the task of carrying out the details." The Executive, when appointed, might, Mr Wigram add«?d. set up sub-committees to carry out departments of the work. "Mr T. S. Weston seconded the motion, which was nut and agreed to. The following were nominated as the Executive Committee: —The Mayor, Hon. Chas. Louisson,_ Sir Geo. Clifford. Dr. Levinge. Massrs" G. G. Stead. W. Recce, and T, S. Weston. Hon. C. Louisson urged that there should be some country members nominated on the Executive. His Excellency suggested that the Executive Committee might appoint subsidiary count.ry sub-committees to deal with matters thereiMr Stead understood, with reference t<> the* point- urged by the Hon. C. Louisson, that the Executive Committee should appoint sub-committees in the country district-*!. The Mayor said what he meant was that sub-committees should be appointed to supervise the arrangement? far entertainments, bazaars, etc., which might be organised in aid of the fund. The motion for the appointment of the Executive Committee as giren above was then put and agreed to. The Mayor said he would like to have an expression of opinion from the very larjie committee there ~'.::embled as to the best method to be adopted to get subscriptionr; in aid of the work which had been projected by the Governor. Ho thought- that they should get to work as early as possible, in order to collect subscriptions. He had had several promises given to hhu, and he considered the best way would be to announce the subscriptions in the papers on Friday morning. Hon. C. Louisson thought they ought to get the sub-conimittee appointed as early as possible. His Excellency said the policy of the Wellington committee had been not to publish the list of subscriptions till they got to work and had collected a goodly sum. Mr Stead said that in Christchurch they found that it was tbe best policy to publish the list of subscriptions received for any object as soon as possible, in order that the public might be urged to subscribe whilst the matter was fresh in their minds. Lord Ranfurly said that was his opinion also, but the Wellington committee thought otherwise. It was resolved to publish tbe list of subscriptions in the papers on Friday morning. The Mayor then invited those present to subscribe, and a handsome sum was promised. Mr Staple* suggested that each memb?r of the committee should be furnished with a subscription card. The Mayor said he would carry out this suggestion. He hoped that the members of the committee would do their best to obtain subscriptions in time for publication on Friday morning. Mr Weston asked the Mayor whether they could not get a Ladies' Committee associated with the movement. The ladies could render most substantial assistance to the movement. His Worship said that that was a- matter he would bring before the Executive Committee. On the motion of Mr Wigram, the Mayor of St. Albans, Superintendent E. Smith. Messrs W. Harris and R. Allan were added to the General Committee.

A meeting of the Executive was subsequently hefld. at which it was decided that subscription cards be placed at "The Press" office and "Lyttelton Times" office, the City Council Chambers, the banks, Mr R. W Barry's office (City Hall), and issued :o members of Committee, the cards to be handed in the day. before Coronation Day. It was decided that cards sent to country districts be returned within one month from date of issue.