WAR RELIEF

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 130, 29 November 1919, Page 11

WAR RELIEF

WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION

The Executive Committee of the Wellington War Relief Association met yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs. L. O. H. Tripp (in the chair), C. A. Ewen, C. M. Luke, J. J. Lewis, J. M'lntosh, <T. Hutcheson, W. Ferguson, and A. R. Atkinson.

The Applications Committee reported that since 31st October, it had dealt with 444 cases. The total number of applications received during this period was 573, comprising 218 new applications, and 355 renewals, and reconsiderations. The^ heavy payments made by tho war expenses branch in war gratuities has effected a reduction ins the number of new claims received during the last three weeks, and the opportunity has been taken, as fan as possible, to clear up arrears of work, the result being that there are only 129 cases in which action is incomplete. Of these 19 were the Association's responsibility, and 110 were a charge upon kindred organisations. The Finance Committee reported having- granted four applications for loans, totalling £350. The bank balances at the end of October totalled £541; and investments totalled £66,590, and the total funds available on 31st October were £67,152. During. October, £2959 had been bpent—£l924 more than the income for the period.

The Internal Affairs Department wrote that a sum of approximately £200 had been raised for sick and wounded soldiers as the result of efforts of the New Zealand Natives Association, Boxing Association, and the Wellington Rugby Union, and that the money ■ was ' held in trust, to be handed over to a patriotic fund for the relief and assistance of soldiers' dependents. The trustees had agreed to hand the money to the War Relief Association.

A circular letter from the Minister of Internal Affairs, relating to the disposition of surplus funds of societies whose functions have expired, w_ read. The Chairman stated that a reply had been sent referring to the fact that the War Relief Association's work was by no means over, and suggesting that its funds should be augmented to the utmost by the transfer to it of funds from such societies as were referred to by the Minister..

The Executive' received the resignation of Mr. Clement Watson after four years' service as honorary interviewer, .owing to pressure of other duties. __ vote of thanks for his services was recorded, and he appointed a rriember of the Executive, in the place of Mr. A. Macintosh, - who lately resigned.