LADY LIVERPOOL FUND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17263, 2 September 1916, Page 4

LADY LIVERPOOL FUND.

RANGIORA BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Rangiova branch of the Lady Liverpool Fund was held at tho Borough Council Chambers yesterday. There was a good attendance of workers and subscribers. Tho Mayor (Mr C. I. Jennings) presided.

An apology for absence through illness was received from Mrs Van Ascii, the branch treasurer, and also an acknowledgment of the committee’s letter of sympathy in her recent bereavement.

The report stated that although the branch had been in existence for two years this was tho first properly constituted annual meeting. On the establishment of the branch just after the outbreak of war a collecting committee was organised to gather funds for tho, provision of comforts and necessaries for the men leaving Rangiora and neighbourhood for tho front. As the result of enthusiastic work a sum of £132 17s 3d was raised, and in addition over ICO pairs of socks and a number of other articles wore provided. After furnishing the men with all necessaries, even to pocket knives, and providing each of the noncommissioned officers with an up-to-date pair of field-glasses a sum of £SO remained, which was handed to Major 13. Jordan to be used for the benefit of the officers and men when away from New Zealand. Nothing further was done until May . when an appeal from tlie central committee at Christchurch for financial assistance to supply socks to the men on active service was responded to with a gift of £3O, th<s sum being quickly collected. At the latter end of July a similar appeal was received, and thereupon Mr H. O. I). Van Asch constituted himself a collector, and within two or three days obtained £ll3 7s, to which was added £3O from the. sale of a sheep commandeered by Mr Van Asch at tho Tuesday’s market. On August 2 .of last year a reorganisation of tho branch took placo with satisfactory results. Within the next three months the income was increased to £369 13s lid by a sale of home and garden produce,, a Flower Day and contributions in cash. This enabled the committee to contribute liberally when special appeals were made by tho central committee at Christchurch, £3O being sent forward to be spent on underclothing for the men, £SO to provido 200 leather waistcoats, £62 towards Christmas gifts for the men at the front, and £SO towards the tobacco fund. A substantial sum also went forward to tho Christchurch depot for wool to be made into socks, etc., and £lO for Christmas cheer for the soldiers. In March of tho present year a salo of-home and .garden produce was carried out, and in spite of unfavourable weather £62 2s 4d was raised. A sum of £l6 17s 5d was. derived from Mr J. Clegg’s lecture and £l4 5s from a concert given by the Strolling Players under the auspices of the local Druids’ Lodge. Between March and August £126 8s 8d was disbursed, £75 going to tho central fund ••n monthly instalments of £25, and a further sum of £ls was sent in for leather waistcoats. About three months ago regular weekly meetings of workers were commenced at Mrs J. 13. Cresswell’s residence, mainly for the purpose of making “hold-alls” and “housewives,” about 170 of tho one and 185 of the other being made, besides a considerable number of handkerchiefs. During the past year over 700 pairs of socks, about 55 Balaclavas, 18 scarves and a large quantity of necessaries were Forwarded to the Christchurch depot. Thanks were duo to Mrs Cresswell for the use of her room for work and meetings, to Miss Scott for the uso of her sewing machine, Mr W. D. Johnston for the use of his shop for the produce sale, to Messrs Hendy Bros, and Mr French for free carting, and to all workers, including “We, Us and C 0.,” who had contributed ro pi arly and generously for several months. The balance-sheet covered a period of two years, and showed the receipts to have been £642 0s 9d, of which £363 5s 6d represented subscriptions, and the remainder the proceeds of sales of produce and flowers, and of entertainments. The expenditure was £544 8s Id (tho main' items being mentioned in the report;, leaving a credit balance of £97 12s Bd.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

Tlie Rev F. P. Fcndall moved the adoption of the. report and balancesheet, and heartily congratulated those connected with the branch on the praiseworthy way in which they had responded to the call for workers, and on tho result of their efforts. He included in the motion a very hearty vote of thanks to the officers, committee and all workers for the branch. The motion was seconded by Mr Fear, and was carried. The election of officers took place. Mrs Jennings declined to be again nominated as president and Mrs Van Asch was elected. Mrs W. Parsons was elected treasurer, Mrs W. A. Itowso secretary, and the following a committee: —Mesdames J. B. Cresswell, D. Buddo, W. L. Jamieson, A. Hadecfie J. Golding, W. Allison, Messrs Foster and Banks.