REEFTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1942, Page 6

REEFTON NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent). REEFTON, February 24. Word has been received that the special train, arranged to run from Westport on March 7th., on the occasion of the Reefton Trotting Club’s meeting, has been cancelled. Keen disappointment is being expressed as a result, as the cancellation will no doubt have some detrimental effect on the meeting. The reason of the cancellation of the train is hard to understand, as a timetable had been arranged. Nominations for the meeting closed this evening. Lt is - understood that the Club will hold a meeting to discuss the position. The Club is making further representations to those concerned and hopes are still held that they will be successful.

The annual meeting of the Reefton Patriotic Committee was held in the County Council Chambers on Monday evening. There was an attendance of twelve. Mr. J. B. Discaciati occupied the chair. Apologies were received from Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Humphries, Mrs. Duff and Mr. C. McElweQ. The Chairman expressed disappointment at the attendance. The Secretary (Mr. P. Lord), read the annual report, which stated that during the year the committee organised several social functions as well as a fair, and from these a sum bf £583 15s lOd was raised. To date, from this district, some 498 gift parcels have been despatched to soldiers overseas, and it is'pleasing to state that approximately 40 letters of appreciation ha'd been received from all branches of the fighting services. During the period the following knitted goods were made by ladies of the 'district and forwarded overseas: 231 mits, 260 balaclavas, 346 scarves, one pullover and one pair gloves. While extending thanks to the ladies for this very fine effort, we would like to point out that an abundance of wool is always avail able, and the aid of more knitters is solicited. The Treasurer (Mr. J. K. Patterson), presented the statement of receipts and expenditure for the period, Ist. April, 1941, to 28tii. February, 1942. as follows—Receipts: Nett proceeds Trotting Horse Raffle, £49 Ils 0d; Reefton Social Committee, £5 18s Id; Reefton Tennis Club, £8; Competition, £l3 9s Od; Nett Proceeds Patriotic Fair, £465 16s OdjWaitahu Golf Club 7s Od; Proceeds Cards and Dances, £8 19s 6d; Collections, £3l 15s 3d; total £583 15s lOd. Expenditure: Westland Provincial Committee, £l9 18s ' Od; Inangahua County Committee, £559 16s lOd; Balance on hand, £4 Is Od; total £583 15s lOd. The Treasurer pointed out that other amounts collected and paid into the Inangahua Committee were not handled by the Reefton Committee, and therefore not shown on the statement. Actually, the amount collected in Reefton was much larger than that shown, viz £583 15s lOd. The election of a committee resulted as follows: Mesdames Discaciati, Sharpe. Russell. Nicholls, Duff, Harris, McVicar, Misses McVicar, Archer and King, Messrs A. G. Wells, J. Dellaca, J. B. Discaciati, J. K. Patterson, P. Lord, F. Boot, S. C. Robinson, A. Julius, A. Stanley, C. McElwee. The following recommendation for the incoming committee was passed by the meeting: “That this committee desires to compile a full record of all monies raised for patriotic purposes in its district and requests that the Central Committee make available this information monthly to enable same to be completed. Mr. Jas. Patterson urged that, as Reefton ha'd been set a quota to raise in the coming year, a system of zoning and individual collectors should be adopted as a means of raising’ the amount. A lengthy discussion took place on the matter, and as a result the suggestion was put forward as a recommendation to the incoming committee. Mr. J. Dellaca paid a fitting tribute to the work of the Chairman, Mr. J. B- Discaciati, who had spent a lot of time and effort in the patriotic cause. Mr. Dellaca moved that it be placed on record appreciation of his services. The motion was seconded by Mr. A. G. Wells. \Mr. Discaciati, in reply, thanked the mover and seconder for the sentiments expressed in the motion, and said that he was only too pleased to do his bit. He appealed to the community to do their share in the future. The meeting then closed.