Southbridge Patriotic Committee.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XXII, Issue 3789, 8 April 1916, Page 2

Southbridge Patriotic Committee.

•*•—. — • The Sou hbridge Patriotic Committee met in the Library oq Thursday evening to receive the statement of accounts in connexion with the Gala held on St. Patrick's Day There were present:—Messrs E. G. Hubbard (chairman). W. Scott (hon. secretary), Rev. ri. G, Hawkins, Mesdames Walker, Hawkins, Benny, Messrs R. B. B. Willis, C. H. Piper, E. J, Cowan and W. Lochhead, The statement of accounts gave the total receipts as 9s 6d, made up as follows : Qaee j Election .£573 '7s 6d, side shows £8 3s 6d, sale of badges, collections, guessing competitions 6s, old pupils' concert £44 6s 6d, refreshment and sweets sralls 10s 3d, gate 12s 3d, bowling tournament at Southbridge £5 is 6d, sale of Irish flag at concert 12s The expenditure totalled £j 3s iod, leaving a credit of £891 5s 6d. The secretary reported that he had recently paid over to the credit of the Ellesmere County Patriotic Fund a sum of £400 being portion of a sum of £460 12s 6d which he had in hand prior to the recent gala. The committee at present had a sum of £945 19s 6d to pay over to the county treasurer. Mention was made of the further effort to be made on Monday evening on the occasion of " Ye Dunmow Flitch " performance at the Southbridge Town Hall,and it was decided to make every effort to increase the balance in hand to £1000 The secretary reported that Messrs G. Marsh and C. Cooke had given a day's labour on gala day as a donation to the funds and they were accorded a vote of thanks. A further vote of thanks was accorded Messrs G. Hill .and M. Hantz, for labour, the ladies for their assistance, Christchurch Meat Co. and the Southbridge Horticultural Society for the loan of tents,, and the local Band for its assistance. It was decided to a«k the Band to help on Monday evening in conaexion with, the concert. The secretary and Messrs Willis and Piper were appointed a subcommitte to arrange the hall for Monday's performance, The ladies undertook to arrange for providing refreshments for the performers before and after the performance. Mr W, Lochhead promised to give a flitch of bacon. His offer was accepted with thanks, Mr J. H. McMillan apologised for the absence of Mr Free and on his behalf introduced the question of the entertainment of soldiers leaving for, and returning from, the front. Mr Free was anxious that the Patriotic Committee should take the matter in band as at present there was no committee holding itself responsible for the entertainment of the soldiers. Mr Willis said it was undoubtedly the duty of the Patriotic Committee to take the matter up and not leave such an important duty to a few patriotic citizens, He regarded it as a very important work and held that no man who was giving his services for the defence of his country and those who remained at hbmei Whether he was a scallywag or a saint, should be allowed to go without a fitting send-off The proper body to undertake such a; duty was the Patriotic Committee, with the chairman of the Town Board as its head. Mr Cowan said he heartily supported Mr Willis's remarks and held that the send-offs should be tendered under the jurisdiction of the Patriotic Committee, The Revi Hawkins also supported the proposal and. said that, out of courtesy, those who had been taking a^ prominent part in connexion with send-offs held in the past should be asked to join in. The Patriotic Committee had neglected its duty in the past. He suggested the appointment of a send off committee, with power to add to its number. He noticed that public bodies were being asked to assist with recruiting. It was a very difficult thing to approach a man and ask him to go to the war. When a man made up his mind to go, however, it was the very least the people could do to give him a fitting send off, and the assurance that his action met with the wholehearted approval and.appreciation of the community, and, further, that he was not likely to be forgotten while he was away. It was as important to give men proper send-ofts as it was to run around looking for recruits. The chairman complained that the Patriotic Committee had not been treated with courtesy in the first place. A member of the committee had taken it upon himself to arrange for farewells without consulting the committee, which was not the right thing to do. It was not right to say that the Patriotic Committee had shirked its duty. He had not attended the farewells because he did not know whether he was wanted. His feelings were with those who desired to send the boys off in fitting fashion, and his heart and soul were with the boys, Mr Willis ventured the opinion that the farewell socials, if properly carried out, -would do more for recruiting than all the can* massing they could do. Mrs Walker said that the boys who had been publicly fare welled lad all greatly appreciated the drtdness' shown them and did lot forget to mention it ift letters fffitien aftff le&yins fo? tfeg ■Ml* ' ':,'•■

The committee unanimouslydecided to make itself responsible for the proper entertainment of all departing and returning soldiers in the future and to ask. those who had been interesting themselves in the matter hitherto to join with the Patriotic Committee. I