GENEROUS GIFTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20620, 22 November 1941, Page 7

GENEROUS GIFTS

CLUB FOR SERVICES SPONSORS HONOURED 45 TRIBUTE TO FORCES Disclosure was made publicly yesterday afternoon, at a gathering to celebrate the completion of a year's operation of the Gisborne Soldiers’ Service Club, of the identity of the sponsors, who provided the funds for securing accommodation and for furnishing the rooms which have served so useful a purpose. 1 In moving the adoption of the annual report of the committee, Mr. T. J. Adair stated that he felt it should be known that Mr. and Mrs. W. Clark were the hitherto anonymous sponsors. He knew that they wished to continue their anonymous association with the club, but he felt all would agree that so outstanding a benefaction —one of many for which Mr. and Mrs. Clark were responsible—should be known to the public. The annual report on the activities in the club was presented by Mr. C. S. Bruce, secretary of the committee, and recalled that on October 20, 1940, the first meeting in connection with the foundation of the club had been called. Mr. Adair at that meeting had outlined the offer made by wellknown residents to provide funds to open suitable rooms in Gisborne for the use and convenience of men on leave and returning from abroad and also for the use of other branches of the war services. A committee comprising Mesdames J. Blair, A. Brodie, T. J. Adair and W. Clark, and Messrs. T. J. Adair, C. V. Harre and C. S. Bruce was elected to give effect to the proposals. Substantial Support Given

The club-rooms were opened officially on November 11, 1940, and had fulfilled in a most satisfactory degree the objects of the sponsors. Additional amenities including a piano, radio and games, services in plumbing and carpentering trades, and gifts of money and food had been received from a number of sources, and an entertainment committee representing the National MPitary Reserve, the Territorials, the Home Guard, and the Women’s Auxiliary Corps had been responsible for many successful social functions in the club-rooms.

In moving the adoption of the report the chairman made a strong appeal for continued support for the club. Mrs. J. Blair seconded the motion to adopt the report, and the Mayor, Mr. N. H. Bull, took occasion to compliment Mr. and Mrs. Clark on their fine gesture towards the services, and the committee on the manner in which the club was conducted. Another speaker to the motion was Mr. H. H. De Costa. Duty of Non-Combatants

The duty of all non-combatants towards the men who were fighting abroad was emphasised by Mr. Thos. Todd, who said that he, like many others, had been prevented by circumstances from serving in the last war, and in consequence of his exemption had been able to live comfortably throughout the conflict and emerge financially stronger. He had always had that thought at the back of his mind, he added, and it had never permitted him to forget the claims of the returned soldiers upon any assistance which he could extend to them. That feeling, he considered, should be uppermost with evex’yone who could not fight. They could at least do their utmost for those who were fighting. Mr. Todd’s remarks were greeted with prolonged applause.

Before the function concluded, tributes were paid by Mr. C. V. Harre to the assistance rendered by the Women’s Auxiliary Corps in the social activities of the club, to the services of Mr. Bruce as hon. secretary, and to the good management of the club by Mrs. Quinn.

Deep regret was expressed concerning the loss of a member of the committee through the death of Mrs. A. Brodie.