REEFTON PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 April 1918, Page 3

REEFTON PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

MONTHLY MEETING. [Our Own Correspondent.] The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Avas held at the Council Chambers last evening at 8 o'clock. Present: Messrs E. J. Scantlebury (Chairman), W. 'A. Rumbold, J. Patterson, 11. Wills, A. Sherlock, A Lloyd, W. Rivera,- W. Dunn W. B. Auld (secretary) } A. M. Carroll, and 1. Patterson. Mr. Dunn moved that Mr. G. Dick be elected a, member of the Committee. He had offered his services and liis assistance in the clerical work of the Committee would be very acceptable. Mr. Scantlebury seconded the motion which wasi carried. Mr. Dick tlien took his seat. The secretary stated that Mr. Sampson, of the Returned Soldiers' Department, had interviewed" the Chairman and himself re the employment of returned soldiers, and said the Department, were determined to do their utmost to assist the returned men. The Chairman said he had received list of the positions! open to returned men % and anyone wishing For a position could obtain particulars of same from the secretary. CORRESPONDENCE. ' From the Discharged Soldiers' Department, re training of partially disabled soldiers, submitting spireme of employment and their training in suitable trades, and enclosing forms of application. Mr. Auld said that he {nought suf- , fioient publicity was not given to the proposals put forward by the Government. Mr. Carroll said that he thought; the. best way to disseminate the information was for the members of local committees to interview the men and put the matter before them. Mr. Dunn moved that the Government be asked to supply each returned man with, circulars containing all information on the subject Of employment of disabled men. This was seconded by Mr. Rivers and carried. The Chairman put on the table plans of land available for returned soldiers in Otago and Southland. Mr. Wills suggested that they be displayed in a shop window on Broadway, and this wasi agreed to. From J! R. Sampson, asking for particulars of employment open m the local district.—Received. From W. J. Wesney, Invercargill, forwarding illustrations of medals for presentation to returned soldiers.— Received. . From Rev. J. Lowden, asking tor donation for carrying on the work of the Presbyterian Church in the camps in New Zealand, on the transports, and for the chaplains engaged at the war. Mr. Rumbold moved that .the sum of £lO be voted. This was seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried. . . « • x From secretary of Patriotic Society, Canterbury, asking re a, returned soldier who was applying for.ass. stance. The secretary stated he had made enquiries, but could not trace the soldier named. The matter} Jwas referred to the Executive. From A. Tattersall, Rotorua, statthat a Soldiers' Memorial Club wa"s being erected there, and solicitassistance.—Received. From the Advisory Board, re regimental funds and suggesting a basts of contributions from the various mstricts, the proportion from the Keelton district being £2l 3s id. From the Greymouth Patriotic Association, on the same, and asking what Reefton wasi doing hi the matter. . . Mr. I. Patterson said it was time that this matter was put on a proper basis. He considered that information was necessary to see now the assessment was arrived at. The Chairman said that the levy was based on a population basis The Chairman then read u, letter from the Advisory Board, asking tor funds for'the fit men on in England who at present were not provided for. Westland's proportion was .£llO, of which Reefton s share was £l2 10s. ~,,,, Mr 1. Patterson asked that betore replying to the Advisory Board, the Greymouth Society be asked what they were doing in the matter, he moved that a letter be sent to the Adviaory Board, stating that this Society while willing to contribute, wished.' information as to how the lew wasi based; also the amount ot levies on the several West Coast districts. -OF The Chiarman said that the Reefton Society had contributed on a, previous occasion, and were then surprised to find that they were one of

only six societies 1 that contributed. Th© Committee had done nothing to raise funds for the past twelve months and their funds were being depleted. Mr. Wills asked what Had been done in the matter of the art union. The Chairman said that they had not received the requisite permission from the Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr. Auld referred to the Society's financial position. How. were they going to supplement their funds? He felt that the Society had not the public behind them. They would have to make some strenuous attenipt to augment their funds. They had not the population to draw upon like the cities. Mr. Wills said that he thought the art union should be got going at once. He also suggested a gift auction. They had made no direct appeal to the public for some time. Mr. J. Patterson said they should make a canvass for the special object of paying their contribution to the Board.. Mr. Rivers said that the failure of the proposed sports meeting wast owing to the action of the Minister of Internal Affairs in not allowing the trotting events on the programme. In view of the continued increase of t-ttalisa'tor revenue throughout the Dominion, he thought the matter should be referred back to him. Mr. I. Patterson said that he was in favor of paying their quota to the Advisory Board. He thought all these funds should be nationalised. The Chairman said that he wasi not in accord with the speakers who said 'v had not the public behind them. TT e instanced the Red Triangle Day; also the Carnival Fete. The latter realised £I4OO. Why not start another Queen of Carnival fete in the district? Mr. I. Patterson moved that in view of the appear made to patriotic associations throughout the .Dominion by the Advisory Board, this association desire,",, to know what steps the Advisory Board is taking towards the nationalisation of funds' raised for patriotic purposes. This was seconded by the. Chairman and carried. Mr. J, Patterson moved that on the reply being received from the Advisory Board and the levy being confirmed, a meeting of the executive be called*and the amount of levy be paid. This was seconded by Mr. Rivers and carried. From Grey Patriotic. Society, re returned soldiers, and asking the Reefton Society's confirmation of what they had done re These men. — Allowed to stand over. From the Advisory Board re deserters' dependents, and forwarding resolution on the matter. Mr. I. Patterson suggested that the resolution should be referred back to the Advisory Board for amendment. He referred to families where two were serving and one had deserted. Were the dependents to be deprived of assistance because they had oue deserter, in the family? He would move a resolution at the next meeting on the matter to be .sent on to the Advisory Board. From J. W. Kinneburg, stating that the financial year closed on olst March, and asking that statements be forwarded early. From the French War Orphans Association, asking for assistance to provide for The orphans in France. Mr. Dunn moved that the sum of £5 be granted.—Seconded by the Chairman. Mr. I. Patterson moved an amendment tliat a special appeal be made to the public for tTns purpose. Mr. J. Patterson seconded the amendment. On a, division being taken, the voting was six each and the Chairman gave his casting vote for the motion, which was declared carried. From Reefton Ladies' Patriotic Committee, stating they were arranging a, Paddy's Market on April 20t-, and asking assistance in erect*.-.* stalls. From W. B. Auld, tendering his resignation as secretary. The Chairman moved and Mr. Dunn seconded that the resignation be accepted with extreme regret.—-Carried; The Chairman moved that Mr. Gordon Dick be appointed honorary secretary. This was seconded by Mr. Carroll and carried. The accounts were passed for payment and the meeting terminated.