Benevolent League’s Fine Record Of Achievement

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29030, 20 October 1959, Page 19

Benevolent League’s Fine Record Of Achievement

The raising of more than £ll,OOO by any organisation is an Outstanding , achievement, but when this is done by a group of not more than 24 members in a Small town such as Oxford, it is even more meritorious. This is the record of the Oxford Benevolent and Improvement League Which has raised £11,130 since 1929, and a considerable additional sum in its eight years of existence before this date.

The money has been raised for the benefit of Oxford and its people largely through the regular tunning of motion picture shows by the league in the Oxford Town Hall. These screenings are held every Saturday night, oil Wednesdays from Christmas, to March and occasionally on public' holidays, and all- -profits from them are plOUghed back into the district Recently the league made a gift dt £250 towards the improvements to the Oxford baths and also a substantial grant towards the new fire brigade building. The league also assists in instances . of personal hardship, helps Ideal sporting bodies to finance equipment, and started a regular bulletin to keep residents iriformed of local meetings and eyents.

In recent years the league has obtained its own equipment for the complete showings of wide

screen films and it is the main user of the Oxford Town Hall. The film screenings have always been well attended and have been shown by a paid operator almost constantly since they were first held. i Formation In 1921

The league, which is believed to be one of the few bodies of its type in New Zealand, was formed on the winding up of the Oxford Patriotic Committee in 1921. When it was decided to disband this committee after its six years of useful existence, many of its members felt that another philanthropic organisation should be formed in its place. The result was that it was decided to reconstitute the Patriotic body as the Oxford Benevolent and Improvement League. Although several members of the old Patriotic committee retired, many others remained to see the successful establishment of the

benevolent league. When the league was formed, its rules stipulated that there must not be more than 24 members or less than 15 and that each member must be nominated and elected by the other members of the league. No funds are paid directly or indirectly as dividends or bonuses to members and all money is applied solely to the good of the district In 1924 the league bought the Town Hall for £4OO thereby saving the hall to the district, and, after promoting a carnival iand raising £lOOO, it presented this money and the hall to the district. After this the league was also the inspiring force in securing the new Town Halt Another of the league’s achievements was in 1923 when the Oxford Brass Band, then unable to carry on, presented its instruments, uniforms and equipment to the league which sponsored a new band. Although the league also suffered during the depression years of the '3o’s it bought a ‘•talkie’’ plant and continued to hold its film shows.

At present the league has a membership of 20. It endeavours to run with a membership slightly below the maximum stipulated number so that any new person who would be of particular value on the league, may be elected to it.