PATRIOTIC COUNCIL

Grey River Argus, 7 February 1941, Page 9

PATRIOTIC COUNCIL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Westland Provincial Council was held in the Borough Chambers, Greymouth, on Wednesday evening, when there were present: Messrs G. A. Perry (Chairman), P. J. McLean. J'. O'Brien, M.P., J. B. Kent, W. Clayton. J. Unwin. J. Smeaton, J. W. Greenslade, J. Mu’care, K. O. May, G. Eder, T. Ei Kennedy, A. B. Spiers, G. G. M. Mitchell, Mrs. F. W. Shallcrass and the Secretary (Mr. D. J. Evans). The Chairman, referring to the entertainment given to West Coast troops in Canterbury at the Welcome Club, recently, said that, he had been surprised at the tine type of entertainment supplied. He expressed appreciation at the work done by the ladies, who had carried out the function. PATRIOTIC TROTTING MEETING. The Greymouth Trotting Club wrote offering to conduct a trotting meeting for patriotic purposes at Greymouth on March 24, at Victoria Park, the appointments being free. A meeting would be held by the Club on Saturday, and the horses would probably stay over for the Monday's events. There would be no charge for the use of the Park. The Council was requested to obtain _ the necessary permit. • The Secretary said that he had referred the matter of obtaining a permit to Mr. O’Brien, at the time of the visit of Hons. W. Nash and P. C. Webb. M’s.P., and at a' conference the application had been favourably received. Mr. Nash had said that he would see the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, to settle the matter.

Mr. O’Brien said that he had heard nothing further of the matter, but he had recommended that the permit be granted. He thought that the request would be favourably received, saying that he could see no difficulties for a patriotic meeting. Mr. P. C. Heaphy, President of the Trotting Club, endorsed the letter’s contents and said that the Club would do anything to make the meeting a success. A committee comprising Messrs O'Brien, Kitchingham, Kent, and T. P. Ryan, were appointed to work with the Trotting Club. Letters were received from the National Fund Board explaining the difficulty in sending personal gifts of goods to the United Kingdom. MajorGeneral Frcyberg’s appreciation of the gifts sent to the troops was forwarded. Thanks for assistance given during the year was expressed. Acknowledgement was given of the shipment of knitted goods, along with particulars as to packing. It was stated that the Westland contribution to £lOO.OOO expenditure, was £2,000, and that the. year’s requirements were set at £152,250, the quota from the Westland Provincial Council being £3,045. Mr. Kitchingham said that a Queen Carnival was going to be held on the West Coast to raise funds. The district was to be divided into reasonable geographic areas and each of the three areas would have a queen representing the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. Each district would then be raising money for its own honour and glory. The Chairman suggested that the Council refer the matter to the various committees.

Mr. Kent said that the first thing to do would be to get an organiser.

Mr. McLean suggested that the representatives present give their views on the matter. The Chairman said that the matter should be left until later, and it was left to the Greymouth Committee to attend to. The National Fund Board submitted a proposal from Theatre Management, Ltd., Wellington, 'to supply films’for Sunday screening in aid of patriotic funds. Mr. Kitchingham said that permits from the Borough Councils could be obtained without difficulty. The Secretary said that Hokitika was agreeable to the proposals. The Board also wrote advising that H. E. Perry, Ltd. Christchurch, had offered to supply' enlarged photographs of Britain’s fighting services, loaned by Ilford, Ltd., London, for patriotic purposes. The photos had been exhibited in Australia, and, if required, they would be placed at the Council’s disposal. The Board also wrote regarding the Government film, “One Hundred Crowded Years,” offering it for display on Sunday on week-day afternoons for patriotic purposes. The Secretary said that it was to be shown on a Sunday night at Hokitika.

Mr. Kitchingham stated that Greymouth would be agreeable to the screening. The Secretary stated that, most of the theatres had Sunday night entertainments in aid of the Mayors’ funds and latterly in aid of patriotic funds. Mr. Kitchingham said that pictures were screened at the Opera House on Sunday nights, but it might be possible to show the film at the Regent Theatre. The Secretary said that the photographs would take a long time to fix and would not net much profit. A large hall with plenty of lights would be needed. Mr. Kent said that on behalf of the Labour Party he would offer the Lyceum Hall for the exhibition of the photographs. Mr. Kitchingham said that the last lot of photographs were shown at Mr. Herb Moore’s. ’ Mr. Kent said that if the photographs wore to be shown at Hokitika, they might as well show them also at Greymouth. The Chairman stated that little could be gained by the showing of photographs in Hokitika. Mr. McLean moved that no steps be taken in regard to the photographs. The Chairman seconded the motion. which was carried. The National Fund Board forwarded a statement by the Minister of Defence (Hon. F. Jones), outlining the facilities provided for discharged soldiers. The Board also notified the knitting required, stating that the Westland quota was 800 each of balaclavas, scarves and mittens. The articles were required not later than the end of June, and particulars of gift parcels, to be sent in not later than March 15, were set out, and the Westland quota was set at 645 parcels. A report of Major-General Freyberg was forwarded, stating that an Italian Fascist Club building, quite new, in the centre of Cairo had been formed into a New Zealand Soldiers’

Club, and expressed appreciation of the generosity, which permitted the purchase. The Treasury advised that £lO, sent by the Kumara Patriotic Committee, to the London Air Distress Fund, had been transferred to the National Patriotic Fund, the former fund being closed. Mrs. Shallcrass stated that Christmas cakes, etc., which had been sent from Greymouth, had according to 'letters been received by the men of the Achilles, Philomel and Monowai in Auckland. As some expense hau been incurred in making tins, etc., in which to enclose the cakes, she did not think it right that it should go to the Auckland men, when they could obtain cake much fresher from the Auckland Patriotic Committee. She had received two letters of acknowledgement from men in Egypt. The matter was referred to the Secretary for enquiry. The Secretary remarked that all the Hokitika parcels arrived in Egypt. Mr. J. O'Brien, M.P., wrote reporting an interview he had with the Min’ster of Defence (Hon. F. .Jones) in regard to the visit, of Air Force Band to the West Coast. Mr. J'cnes had stated that there was no chance of sending the band until they made a further tour of the South Island. Mr. F. D. Gillespie wrote on behalf of the Red Cross Joint Council, stating Messrs Whitford and himself would act in respect to border line cases when rehabilitation issues cropped up, and that he would act as liaison representative on the Council, till the Committee reviewed the matter. The Waste Committee, Hokitika, reported on the quantity of salvaged metal sent to the Hillside Workshops. Mr. C. W. Geary wrote quoting for a.nt'-mosquito cream for the use of troops in Egypt. The Givymouth Patriotic Commit-

lee wrote regarding Hie forthcoming A. and P. Show, the proceeds to go to the Patriotic Fund, and asked for nominations for “Miss Westland beauty contest. Mr. Smeaton said that he had received a circular stating the amounts of money to be allocated to various religious bodies. Several people had asked him why certain denominations had been left out. The Secretary said that the matter had been arranged by the National Council. Mr. Mulcare said enquiries would have to be made at headquarters. The following statements of receipts and payments was submitted: Revenue: Previously acknowledged, £17.431 0s 9d; Inangahua Committee, £22 8s 4d; Runanga Committee, £l6 6s 6d; Entertaining Troops—Arahura Committee, £2 5s Od; Evans CreekCommittee, collections, £4 16s 6d; Evans Creek Committee, dance, £3 7s Id; Hokitika Committee £5B 3s Od; A. V. Algar, contribution, '£l; Houston Timbers, contribution, £4; Brunner Committee, £8; Waiho Committee, £26 15s Od; Savings Bank, £10; P. and T. Staff, fourth contribution (£24 to date). £6; Waitaha Settlers, £11; N.Z. Working Railways Employees, £46 Is 6d; total £17,651 3s Bd. Payments for period:—Printing and advertising, “Christchurch Press," 18s Od; “Christchurch Star-Sun,” 12s Od; “Guardian,” £ll 17s 3d; Rehabilitation Cards, “Guardian,” £3 6s Od; Hokitika Committee, comforts, £3 17s 6d; Grey Women's Committee, comforts, £25 6s Od; Grey Women’s Committee, imprest . advance, £2O; total £65 16s 9d. Funds accrued: On deposit £12,200; Cr. balance, current account, £2,188; total £14.388 0s Od.