£1625 RAISED

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4108, 4 March 1949, Page 5

£1625 RAISED

ALAN SHAW APPEAL MAY LEAVE THIS MONTH OBJECTIVE ALMOST REACHED Enough money has now been raised in the Alan Shaw Appeal for definite arrangements to be made for Mr. and Mrs Shaw of Paeroa to depart- for the United States of America where Mr Shaw will receive special treatment for the Parkinson’s disease which he has contracted.

At a meeting held on Thursday night the mayor of Paeroa, Mr Edwin Edwards, stated that £1625 of the £2OOO required was in hand or in assured promises, and the support from the public had been “ very, very encouraging indeed.” He expressed his appreciation to all collectors and contributors for their generous help.

If the remainder of the money could not be raised in Paeroa there were two alternative provisions in train to obtain it, he said. When interviewed in Napier, the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, had told him that in the event of the money not being raised locally “ he would not let us down,” Mr Edwards stated. The deputy chairman of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Society had also been contacted -and a special meeting was *being called in Auckland on March 14 when Mr Edwards would wait on the committee to explain the situation and solicit financial assistance.

Arrangements were at present being made for Mr and Mrs Shaw’s passage, passport and permits, as well as the securing of a medical certificate from the surgeon who had examined Mr Shaw, Dr. Murray Falconer, stating

that the required operation could not be performed in the sterling area. It is honed that Mr and Mrs Shaw may be able to leave on March 20 and efforts are being made to have all funds-in by that date.

A street stall is being held in Paeroa on March 11 and an appeal for produce, cakes and other saleable goods is being made by the committee. Wjth the proceeds from this and the remainder of the canvassers’ collections it is thought that a total of £l7OO will be reached. Donations had been received from as far away as Kaitaia, stated Mr Edwards, as well as from Katikati, Hikutaia and other districts outside Paeroa.

A meeting of the committee will be called on or about March 29 when travel arrangements have been finalised and a sub-committee to administer the fund will be set up. On Mr Shaw’s return a final meeting will be held and a full report made public. If there is any money over, after Mr and Mrs Shaw's expenses have been paid this will be put into a public fund to he used for any similar c-pses which may occur in the future.