RUNANGA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 16 August 1944, Page 2

RUNANGA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. At Monday evening's meeting of the Runanga Branch of the Labour Party, the president, Mr S. introduced Mr T. Campbell, M.A., Tutor-Organiser for the W.E.A., who, in an address, referred to the devotion which pioneers of the movement had shown in the study of political and economical questions. Such study was equally necessary, to-day and the W.E.A. provided in that connection for tuition m a variety of subjects, the authors, of the treatises thereon being University lecturers. In thanking Mr Campbell, the chairman ■ saitl a study group had been organised m Runanga, which all members of the branch and others should join. A new member was elected to the branch. On the chairman’s motion votes of condolence were accorded several bereaved families in the district. The delegate to the L.R.C. meeting gave a full report of its deliberations, and several matters mentioned in the report were discussed. Mr W. O’Neill, the secretary reported on arrangements for a concert to be held by the branch on Monday, August 25’ to augment the funds. Mr J. j. Devine, Runanga representative on the Grey Harbour Board, gave a review of its deliberatons, particularly referring to the question of a deep-sea harbour and to the construction of a model of the port now in progress. Mr F. Oakley (chairman of the Grey Hospital Board) gave a report in which he dealt with origin of, and also the measures taken to remedy, defects in the O’Brien Ward at the institution. He referred also to the intention of the board to cope fully with post-war needs of the district. Members joined in discussion on points raised in the reports, and offered suggestions calculated to be helpful. It was to request the directors of the “Grey' River Argus” Coy. to arrange for a reporter for Runanga news in the paper, members expressing their willingness to assist, and also appealing for workers generally to support the Labour press in a greater degree at the present time when the attacks from the capitalist press and platforms against the Labour movement were continuous and unscrupulous. At the half-yearly meeting of the Runanga Medical Society, Mr F. Oakley presided. The balance-sheet showed receipts as follows: Contributions to Sick and Funeral Fund, £342; to the Management Fund £228; refunds from the Government for drugs £l7O. < Payments from the Sick and Funeral Fund included sick pay £297, funeral benefits £4O. From the Management Fund £55 had been expended on painting and repairs to the doctor’s residence, and drugs had cost £135; other items making the total expenditure £265. Assets totalled £2308, and there were no liabilities. In reply to Mr S. Morris who said he was concerned that onethird of the revenue was spent on the Management. Fund, apart from expenditure on the doctor’s residence, the chairman said that the only large item was the doctor’s residence, which was a big expense to maintain, small amounts, mostly regular expenses, making up the rest. It was decided not to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr F. Lee until the annual meeting. At the meeting of the Adcident Fund Committee Mr G. E. English presided. The accounts showed contributions totalling £357 and payments included injured members £248, death payments £55, management fund expenses £42. Assets totalled £39. The chairman redommending that the qualifying period for benefits be reduced from six days to five days, said that conscientious members who returned to work on the fifth day received no benefit. The change would bring the proce-

dure in line with the Miners’ Relief Fund. The recommendation was adopted. The secretary said that the iupd had 520 members, about two.A™ State mine employees, and with one exception all the co-opera-tive mines which had in the past members. Replying to Mr R. K l^ h n e ‘ ( who ursed that an attempt be made to encourage new employees ■ i ° in tl } e Fund ’ and said that notices erected at the minp<? would help, the chairman said he had arranged for the re-introdiiPfinn of the svstem under which tie M nes Department Office placed all new employees on the Accident Fund list Any person who expressed a desire not to join had any deductions re-

funded to him. Mr F. Oakley was trustee to fill the vacancy caused by the,death of Mr F. Lee. At the' 24th annual children’s Ball held on Friday in the Miners’ Flail, the following were prize-winners for fancy dress: Best fancy dress (boy), J. Hadcroft, “National Savings”; (girl) A. Gallon, “Queen of Hearlis’;’ 1 ; most original costume (bov) N. Virtue, “Bringing Home the Bacon”; (girl) L. Barker. “Justice.” Special prize (boy) C. Purnell, “Kofnies”; (girl) N. Bell, "Victory”. Cheapest costume (boy) J. Queen, “War News”; (girl), E. Jones. Under five years (girl), M. Barrow, “Knitting Bag”; N. Unwin, “White Rabbit.” Judge’s prize: T. Gilligan, “Little Airman.”