PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE

Grey River Argus, 8 October 1942, Page 1

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE

GREYMOUTH WOMEN’S BRANCH.

At the monthly meeting of the above, Mesdames F. A. Kitchingham (chair), Reid, Saunders, Parfitt, McKane, Blair, McLean, A. Smith, Collins, Warncs, Harvey, Alathieson, and Shallcrass (Secretary) were present. A vote of sympathy with Miss Heaphy and family in the loss of their mother was passed. ' Mesdames McKane and Harvey were tvelcomed back to the Commil lee.

I-t was. decided that, owing to the di Hi cully of contacting men leaving for overseas, the distribution of parcels at the station be discontinued, and that men on leave be given a parcel of woollen comforts if they •call i,|. the Depot. It was with regret the Committee had to adopt this course, but the other procedure had proved very unsatisfactory. It was decided that the Depot open each Friday morning and that’it be open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. It was resolved that, owing to some misunderstanding among parents recording money raised by various school children for Xmas parcels for men overseas, the Secretary be asked to obtain full information regarding the amounts, raised and the amounts spent on parcels. '• A branch of Air Force Relations bav’ng been formed, it was decided that members meet at Harker’s Lounge on the same day (Thursday’ as the knitters for the navy do, and that an invitation be extended to knitters for the Army to come along miso. . ", T.l was decided that the next-of-kin party to be held about the third week in November. This, party will be for next-of-kin to the men overseas and of returned men. . - The Secretary reported that 107 cases of gift parcels and 1043 knitted articles had been despatched last week. It was a d’fficult task procuring the necessary goods for th? ; parcels. ifi A verv heart v vote of thanks passed to Mr. Elair for again donpt- A ing the necessary timber for the cases, to Mr. Nelson- Shallcrass the case's, and also to Mr. Gre'eh-Juft! Masters Reitl, Cowan and N.'Smith for stencclling same, to Mr. .Reid and his helpers lor again doing the nocking of cases, to those who helped the committed assemble parcels, and those who gave goods and books for same, and to G'bbs Motors and Nelson Transport' Co., who carted the 600 cartons from Nelson free of charge. The shop proceeds for Sept, were £156 15s.

During the month, 65 gift parcels were given out. The Committee still found there were not nearly enough knitters offering and again appealed for help, for otherwise- our men would be minus the necessary warm comforts.

The Secretary reported that the shop on Friday will be conducted by the Returned Soldiers Association, when it is .hoped they will receive the support thev deserve. All three raffles'at the Depot are drawn and now it was hoped that some kind person would donate another' suitable article for the next raffle. The sum of £27 had been handed in for Xmas parcels from Grey Main School pupils and £6 from pupils of the Technical Collegs. The pupils were congratulated on their wonderful effort.