GOOD WORK DONE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32429, 10 May 1944, Page 5

GOOD WORK DONE

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES AT NGATEA £322 TO BE RAISED THIS YEAR At the annual meeting of the Ngatea Patriotic Committee a comprehensive report covering the past 12 months’ activities was given by the secretary, Mrs E. R. Sherlock. The report read as under: — “A successful year has just ended'. The quota of £396 was raised by December 31, 1943, and for this thanks are due to the collectors whose efforts realised £263 17. s and to the social committee for raising £llO 7s 4d by holding monthly dances. “The women’s organisation fund, from which the soldiers’ parcels are paid, benefited by £27 9s 7d in August from the proceeds of the welcome home extended to the furlough boys. A further addition to this fund was made in October, by £34 16& 6d from a very successful sports day organised by the Ngatea District High School teachers. “In July a parcel of sox and ’literature, was sent to each of our boys in the Pacific. These were greatly appreciated as evidenced by the many letters received. Christinas Parcels Sent “Thirty-three Christmas parcels were sent to boys overseas, who had left from Ngatea, and again from letters it is seen how grateful they were for the contents. Each Christmas

parcel cost 19s 6d and the total amount paid for parcels during the year was £55 Ils Od. Many letters have been received and these may be seen by anybody, on request.

“In December a military camp was constituted in Ngatea- to assist with the harvesting in the district and the patriotic officials called a meeting to arrange for entertainment for the soldiers when off duty. This resulted in the formation of a committee of representatives from each public organisation, namely, patriotic, women’s institute, women’s division, St. John Ambulance Association, farewell committee, Church of England, Methodist, 'Presbyterian and Catholic League. The supper room of the public hall was used as a lounge and suppei could be bought, Id for a cake and tea. Games and writing facilities were provided and ping pong tables set up. Each organisation was responsible for the entertaining and looking after the club generally for one week, the rooms being open from 7 to 10 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 'Sunday nights. That it was appreciated was evidenced by the number of boys who patronised the club rooms, especially at supper time. Dance For Harvesters

“A dance was held in December and the proceeds from this together with £2 donations and small returns* from the canteen, were more’than sufficient to cover all expenses.

“The hall, tea, butter and sugar were available through and paid for by the patriotic committee and the various organisations provided food for their particular week. The camp officials expressed their sincere thanks- to all ladies who had helped to make the conditions so much more comfortable while the men were in Ngatea. “The quota for 1944 is £322, and the social committee has already raised £34 15s lid towards this amount.”