PATRIOTIC EFFORT

Grey River Argus, 9 February 1943, Page 3

PATRIOTIC EFFORT

PUBLIC MEETING IN GREYMOUTH. A public meeting called to discuss Ways of raising the Greymouth patriotic quota for 1943 was held in the Borough Council Chambers last i evening. There was a fair attendance. The Mayor (Mr. ,F. A. Kitchingham) who presided said that the Committee had decided to aim at the original quota of £5500. Much money would be needed, for the Welfare Fund, which would be used to meet the emergencies that the men and their families would have to face after the war. A programme for raising the money had recently been drafted. The raffle for Miss Perotti’s section was under way and a collection in the business part of the town had been arranged. The programme for the visit of the Air Force band had also been fixed. Other projects suggested were a matinee trotting meeting, and a packet day would be held towards the end of the year. The main event, however, would be a big fair lasting a week if a suitable building could be found. The necessity of getting more sellers for raffle tickets was discussed and a number of volunteers came forward. It was decided to credit sums raised by the sale of tickets by Grey County or the Brunner and Runanga Boroughs to the quotas of these bodies. It was also decided to approach the Registered Nurses’ Association to see if they would help, and the cooperation of the teachers was also suggested. Workers for this week’s salp of raffle tickets were arranged. It was reported that arrangement had been completed for the canvass of the business area of the town for direct contributions to the fund. Mr. Greenslade said that as it' was known that the collection would commence on 14 February, businessmen would heln considerably by having their donation’s ready when the collectorscalled. A canvass of the residential area of the town was discussed, and it was decided that this should be carried out in selected areas by the women.

The principle of holding a fair during the August school holidays was affirmed, and it was decided to invite representatives from all organisations likely to help to meet on a dav to be decided upon to discuss plans. Several persons present emphasised the need to encourage a competative spirit in the effort. It was pointed out that each of the ladies responsible for a stall, oi' section of the fair, would organise a number of small functions in the period before the fair itself was held.

The holding of a matinee trotting meeting was discussed, and it was decided to approach the Greymouth Trotting Club suggesting that application be made for a permit to hold a totalisatoi’ patriotic trotting meeting in Greymouth, Mr. T. E. Coates suggested that a combined race meting, with chopping events also on the programme, would be well patronised. The Mayor pointed out that the matinee meeting originally suggested by the Men’s Committee would take some such form, and Easter Monday, the day suggested by Mr. Coates, was the day the Committee had had in mind.

The holding of a pipe band contest was another suggestion made.