HUTT PATRIOTIC GUILD

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 45, 21 February 1918, Page 3

HUTT PATRIOTIC GUILD

SECOND ANNUAL REPORT.

The work of the Hutt Patriotic Guild has been very successful and varied in character. Meetings have been held regularly each month for sewing either for soldiers or the patriotic shop. The average attendance was about 20 members, with others who make up materials in their own homes. These workers have made and delivered to the Countess of Liverpool Committee, or the Red Cross Depot, Mercer-street, "Wellington, the following:—l 97 suits of pyjamas, 190 flannel Bhirts, 87 bed jackets, 160 muslin shirts, 530 housewives, 55 holdalls, 545 facecloths, 640 treasure bags, 72 bandagea, 74 knitted articles, and large parcels of old linen. The Anglican Church allows the use of Hb schoolroom free of charge.

The annual "Our Day" appeal for Red Cross funds was made in October, and this year the guild had able assistance from a men's committee. By the combined efforts of the two committees, the snm of £791 Is 6d was netted, the expenses being £39 13s. The net result of the Hutt Bowling and Tennis Club's concert, Cl4l 14s 6d, was donated to the guild.

The shop was carried on by the subcommittee with varying support and success, but as the takings were diminishing, a meeting was held on 24th October to consider some new arrangement. It was then decided that the old committee bo disbanded, and that the Hutt and Taita be divided' into seven districts, each of which should elect its own committee, and stock and take charge of the shop once a week in turn. This new scheme came into force on the 23rd November, and promises to work well. The first seven weeks under this arrangement netted £187 5s lid, and it is hoped that this good average will keep up. A sub-committee takes a regular evening at the Sydney-street Soldiers' Club, and the sum of £25 a year is paid for meals to the Olnb Committee. Mrs. J. Cameron visits the soldier patients at Victoria Hospital on behalf of the guild, and takes home-made goods, eggs, sweets, flowers, etc. Gifts for this purpose will be gladly received. The sum of £1972 18s 4d has been handled during the year, and the balance in hand is £552 12s. _ The following are the officers of the guild :—Mesdames M'Caw (president), Hansell, Jenness, Caminer. Roche, Hnyward, Cameron. Gear, Barbour, Nicholson. Misses Knight and Hursthouse. Miss Stuart-Forbes and Miss Humphries were elected secretary and treasurer _ respectively. The following sub-committee was elected to conduct, the shop :—Mesdames Barry, Eddie, Upton, Harman. Caminer, Yates (secretary), Misses Matthews. Hulnfrey, Gordon, England, and Leighton.