PATRIOTIC FUND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17529, 12 July 1917, Page 9

PATRIOTIC FUND.

MEETING OK EXECUTIVE. The Executive Committee of the Canterbury Patriotic Fund met yesterday, Mr H. Holland presiding. Before Cue business of the meeting eras commenced a. motion of sympathy I with the relatives of the late Mr DunS can Puttier ford, a member of the | Finance Committee, was carried in siI lence, members standing. The chairman introduced to the i meeting the newly appointed secretary, Mr IV. A. Smith, and the newly appointed representative of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr J • Coo . A letter from the Gisborne Patriotic Society covering a resolution recommending taxation in lieu of voluntary contributions to patriotic societies was 1 The matter was referred to the Advisory Board for consideration. A letter was received from Colonel Stewart, Canterbury Battalion, coverivr an account of expenditure of £753 ]4s received by the Battalion from the fund up to April 15 last. The statement' was received, and it was decided to ask why n. certain item was not paid for by the Imperial authorities . Extracts from the minutes of the Advisory Board’s meeting on •Tithe 7 were forwarded, embodying decisions concerning allowances in certain cases. Mr It. T. Tosswill moved that in future each member of the executive should receive a copy of the Advisory Board minutes.

Mr >1 J. Dougall seconded the motion, and in doing so touched upon the matters dealt with at last meeting of the Advisory Board. A deputation had waited on Sir James Allen to ask that allowances to widowed mothers, now restricted to those receiving less than 7s a week from other sources, should be made to widowed mothers receiving more than that sum. The Minister was sympathetic, but evidently averse to any increase in allowances. Hie Advisory Board bad further decided that three months’ residence in a district should constitute domiciliary qualification for assistance by the funds. Mr Tossivill’s motion was carried, and the decisions of the hoard were approved. The chairman brought before the committee the case of a lance-corporal who, after eight months in camp, had been granted “leave without pay” on grounds of unfitness. As the man was not discharged he was in a very unfortunate position. It was decided to bring the case under the notice of the Defence authorities. On the motion of Mr E. Nordon, the

question of advances to soldiers settling on the land was further adjourned tor consideration at next meeting. The special committee commissioned to report regarding the adequacy of tho fund asked for an extension of time till next meeting, which was granted. Mr J. J. Dougall was reappointed as tho representative of the Canterbury fund on the Advisory Board, and Messrs J. J. Dougall and Cyrus J. Williams wore appointed delegates to the annual conference of patriotic funds to be held at Wellington. Tho statement of receipts and expenditure for the month showed the receipts to be £1296 17s. The total receipts to June 30,1917. wore £183,160 os lid. Tho expenditure for the month was £2309 16s sd. the expenditure to Juno 30, 1917, being £29,716 18s 9d. The report was adopted. The sub-committee set up to deal with tho secretaryship, offices and staff of the fund reported that applications for tho position of secretary at £*>o per year had been invited. Eiity-nvo applications had been received, and that of Mr William Archibald {smith, assistant accountant, Kainpoi Woollen Company's head office, had been accepted. It was recommended that during Julv the services of Mr R. T. Tosswill should he retained as supervising secretary. It had boon decided to take a five years’ lease of offices at 87 Worcester Street, at a rental ot £l5O per year. The estimated necessary expenditure on furniture would he £2OO. Administration expenses under the new arrangement would amount to about £IOOO per annum. The report was adopted.