RED CROSS FUND.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15767, 7 December 1916, Page 5

RED CROSS FUND.

GENERAL MEETING.

The General meeting of the Canter-bury-Westland Centre of tho Red Cross branch of tho St. John Ambulance Association was held at tho Red Cross depot (Worcester street) yesterday, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes presided. Mrs A. Boyle (president of the ladies' branch) was present.

In presenting the monthly report, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes stated that including a sum of £3500 voted by the centre, tho sum of £16,43-1 had been raised by the '"Our Day appeal. Which amount was only slightly less than tho total amount raised by the whole Dominion last year. Col. Moorhouse, at Wellington, reported that £130,000 -was likely to be sent away in answer to tho appeal. This was most satisfactory. Ho also reiterated the statement ho had made at a meeting on Tuesday, when ho stated that not a single penny had been spent by the depot on rent or clerical expenses. The rent had been paid—indeed, no one knew who paid it, and the clerical expenses had also been met by private contributions. Unfortunately, owing to tho demands made on the Comfort Fund Committco they had been compelled to lease rooms at the depot at a cost of £35 per • half-year, and these had been taken ; for six months. He also regretted to have to announce that Miss Cole, who had been the secretary for the depot had tendered her resignation.

The reports of the city branch (by Mr H. R. Smith) showed that tho output had almost been doubled, and they had been pleased to receive new workers. During November among the articles sent forward, there were 214 pyjamas, 72 underpants, 37 shirts, 54 vests, 33 bedjaekets, 233 pairs of socks, 8 body belts, 1580 handkerchiefs, 2612, 1875 swabs, and numerous other articles required. •Mrs Wigram reported for the Packing Committee that they had despatched 132 cases to the New Zealand War Contingent Association, 62 to the British Red Cross, 28 cases of comforts to Egypt, 15 to the hospital ship, 8 to transports, 3 to Hanmer. ■ Miss' Cole, for Mrs G. Rhodes, for the Comforts Committee, reported that 27 branches had guaranteed a monthly subscription, and a great many donations and subscriptions had also been received.

The reports were adopted. The resignation of Miss Colo was accepted witli regret. It was resolved to endorse tho resolution passed by the Ladies' Red Cross''Executive relative to the cessation of work on the bandages, as the English Red Cross, at present, required special open work material for these, which material was' not- to be obtained in sufficient quantities in the Dominion."

It was decided to hold December 18th as Anniversary Day. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded the donors of work and subscriptions to the Comforts Committee.