SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS COMMITTEE

Nelson Evening Mail, 6 July 1916, Page 7

SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS COMMITTEE

i, MEETING OF ADVISORY BOARD. A meeting of the Advisory Board of the Nelson Sick .and Wounded Soldiers' ■ Fund was held in the Mayor's room at the Council Chambers last, evening. The Mayor (Mr C. J. H-arley) presided and there "were present Messrs H. Everett, E. J;-- Allen. R. B. Jackson, A. P. Alipoi't, and W. S. Snodgrass, Drs YVashI boui-n. and Johnston. and the Rev W. ! Baumber. A letter was read from -Mr .7. .T. Corry, Mayor of Blenheim. asking if the board would contribute towards a Canterbury Battalion fund. The secretary stated-that the Government was at present sendinjj £ISOO a month to the New Zealand War Contingent Association in England, for expenditure among- New Nealand soldiers in hospitals, and £ISOO to the front to b<? distributed by the chaplains in the purchase'of. comforts for the soldiers in the trenches and in the rest camps. A letter was read from Mr J. H. Cock in reference to the fund, suggesting that a. commutation of the funds should ue made bv way of annuity.—Resolved that Mr Cock be informed that inquiries were now being made. The Commissioner of Pensions (Mr O. Fache) wrote in reply to a letter from the secretary, stating* that when the amending. Bill became law. the increased pensions payable to children would b? authorised without any fresh applica tions beinsx made. The Minister of Justice (lion. R. McNab) wrote acknowledging; the i board's letter in reference to the fees for sealing probate in the case of soldiers' wills.. He stated that lie. could not see l]is way to reduce the fees for sealing probate and letters of administration so as to place them on the sam-* footing as the Public Trustee's election to administer. If in any case the fe.'charged were felt to be heavy, not only the sealing' fees, but the administration fees also would be-substantially reduced by getting the Public Trustee to step in and administer. A- letter was received from the. tor of Base Records with regard ir next-of-kin passes, stating that the ?\ lin • ister of. Defence had instructed him that railway concessions could not apply ortside the island in which the next-of-kin are resident. The secretary mentioned that tlier:was at -present special .need- -wliv soldier:in the hospital should be taken fn? drives. Several motorists had ahead, ■kindly offered to take the soldiers out and bad done so. The secretary said he would 'be pleased to receive offei;? from other motorists willing to assist. Relief was granted in a large number of eases, after consideration. The secretary w T as instructed to take the necessary steps for the incorporation of tKo society under the War Funds Act.