FUNDS WANTED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3139, 8 July 1942, Page 5

FUNDS WANTED

ALL SERVICES CLUB REQUEST MADE IN PAEROA GRANT FROM PATRIOTIC FUNDS “I have been requested 'by the committee of the newly-formed Paeroa All Services Clulb to approach your committee for support in connection with the above-mentioned club,” stated a letter from the secretary of the Paeroa All-Services Clulb to the monthly meeting of the Paeroa Patriotic Committee. ’fhe letter added:—

“This club has been organised solely for the benefit of members of the services and, so far, is maintained, by contributions and subscriptions from members and other friends. It would be appreciated if your committee could aid us by providing hogt esses whenever possible and also by any financial assistance which could be arranged through your district council-

“Liabilities are many, in such an undertaking and we solicit your assistance in order to help the mem ers and visitors of .the club.”

Supporting the application Canon W. G. H. Weadon wrote as under:— “Sergeant-Major Rfte x has . approached me to ask your committee fori assistance in procuring indoor games, writing material, books, etc., for the All Services Club, Paeroa, which is to be opened on Monday evening next, July 6. He tells me that a similar club in Auckland received 1 a sum of £lOOO from the Al Purposes Fund for equipment, etc., of the club and he considers the Paeroa club to be on a similar basis, i.e., for recreation, etc., of the many men stationed in Paeroa without the amenities of camp life. Some games suggested by Sergeant-Major Rice were monopoly, parlour quoits and packs of cards, etc. Their Leisure Hours the members- of the Signal Corps residing at the old Bank of New Zealand . building say they are in need of arm chairs, a sofa, etc. Two members approached me and I promised I would inform the local committee. I trust the above requests will receive the consideration and cooperation of’ your, committee.” The Mayor, Mr Edwin Edwards, said there was a considerable number of men stationed in Paeroa now—over 50—and these men had. no place to spend their leisure. The dub would serve a useful purpose in .providing entertainment for these men. e ( suggested that the- committee apply for a grant of £2O to £25 to assist h in covering the initial cost of-estab-lishing the club and then for a grant of £lO each quarter. Mr D. G. McMillan said he considered that the first duty of the com- ' mittee lay with providing comforts for the men overseas. Funds were getting more difficult to raise every month and the boys overseas Were entitled to first consideration.. He urged that a committee be appointed to go into the whole matter before anything was done. Mr Edwards explained that whenever men were in camp certain amenities were provided, out of the 'Patriotic Fund. In Paeroa there was a number of single men in the Army who had not access to the amenities of a camp. The men in Paeroa had nowhere to go of an evening and the money granted to the club would certainly not be wasted if it provided a meeting place and clubroom for these men. Mr Edwin Edwards, the secretary, Mr R. S. Nic.ol, and Canon W. IG. H. Weadon, were appointed a committee to meet representatives of the Paeroa All Services Club to go into the question of the club’s requirements. The committee was given the necessary authority to apply for whatever funds were needed.