HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1943, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent>. luur w hOKITIKA( May 20. T iontenant K. Reece has arnyed in Hokitika on furlough from military “£?: Andrea and Dr. B l- Wilson are due to arrive m Hokitika eV Mr ne R. Clarke, oj Wataroa, Is at nroconl on a visit to Hokitika. P Mrs Radford, of Christchurch, and formerly of Hokitika is on a visit tn Hokitika. Mrs. Radford is hostess to the American troops in the C Mr. tC W. r C M. Eraser e^’se^ViJes 6 AsToSi Ac , cou^ r s totalling £7 9s 4d were passed tor paymint transter to the Ward Branch was agreed to. Poppy! sales for the £ nt jA to £lOO 13s as against £9B 17s tor ine nrevious year. The membership stood at 249, whereas last year’s total was 245. Messrs G. Wilson and G. Gilchrist reported on soldier patients in hospital and Messrs Hutchison and King were appointed visitors foi the coming month. Mr A. R. Elcock presided at a meeting of the Hokitika Patriotic Committee, the following members being present: Mesdames G. Pein. M. Lynch and T. Stuart, Messrs C. Caliari, J. Hutchison, W. Stopiorth, E W Heenan and the secretary, Mrs. W. Box'd. Mr. Stopforth brought up the question of assistance for next of kin to provide soldiers’ parcels for prisoners of war. He mentioned that where clothing, shoes and blankets were required by prisoners of war, the burden became a very heavy one for the next of kin, in some instances the parcels costing as much as ill. The Businessmen’s Association was anxious to assist next of kin wherever possible. Mr. Elcock said the position at present was not clear. It was probably the duty of the Army to supply prisoners war with underclothing, boots and battledress uniforms. Mr. Hutchison suggested forwarding a' remit to the Dominion

Conference, that prisoners of war be supplied with requirements the same as soldiers are on active service. The committee agreed to ascertain the true position. The remit was passed and is to be forwarded to the Conference. The secretary reported that the committee had still to find the sum of £lB6 m order to raise the quota for the year ending September 30. Receipts to date amounted to £1,030 19s lOd. Accounts totalling £lOB 19s 7d were certified as correct and passed tor pavment. Mr. Frank Clune wrote j offering to conduct a lecture tour of i New Zealand. The Provincial Coun-. cil had asked for the local commit-, tee’s opinion. The committee cie-' cided not to entertain the request, as once the lecture was broadcast, there would not be much local appeal. Tne Provincial Council notified that the St John and Red Cross Committees would in future co-operate with the Patriotic Committee in collecting for the welfare and attention of the men of the services. The Women’s institute notified the .appointment of Mrs. M. Lynch in succession to Mrs. Harrison on the committee. The chairman welcomed Mrs. Lynch and also paid a tribute to the excellent services rendered by Mrs. Harrison. Mrs. Stuart reported that in company with Mr. Evans, she attended the'Club Rooms in Christchurch on Anzac Day. There was an attendance of 500, other Coasters being also present. The secretary notified that the following parcels had been received: Kokatahi, 12; Kumara, 12; Wataroa, 10; Harihari, 2. W. H. Shannon notified that the firm had soldered 320 soldiers’ tins, and that the firm treated the work as a patriotic effort. The committee recorded its appreciation of the firm’s efforts. The secretary reported that Miss Duff was organising a concert, and that a number of shop days had yet to be held which would help the fund along.