FIRST MONDAY IN AUGUST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 160, 3 July 1918, Page 4

FIRST MONDAY IN AUGUST.

RETURNED- &OLOIERS r Ri-UNION A meeting was Held at the Council Chambers last evening in /onneotaon with the proposed Returned Spktaeis. re-union, on the first Monday in AuEU The Mayor (Mr W. W. Snodgrass} presided and said the question to be decided was whether- there should be a luncheon for returned soldiers, a" u . if so, a committee must be set up to'.. carry out arrangements. It was resolved that a luncheon be tendered returned soldiers and immediate friends on August sth. Lieutenant Benzies said that there were in Nelson district approximately 000 returned soldiers, and he would judge that there would be.from 150 to 200 men at the luncheon. _ It was resolved, after hearing the ooinion of the secretary of the Returned Soldiers' Association, that invitations be issiud, each returned soldier to have the right to bring one, lady friend. It was resolved to make application for the use of the Provincial Hall i'or the luncheon. *

It was resolved that the lunchio* commence at noon.

Mr F. ,G. Gibbs moved that no alcoholic liquor bo .provided at the luncheon. No reflection whatever on the' returned men was intended, but it w ■*>■ well known that many of the men wei'e suffering, so that liquor took an undue effect upon them. Mr Vercoe (hon. secretary of the lit-turned Soldiers' Association) .said that in his opinion liquor at such a function was quite unnecessary. Lieutenant Benzies seconded _ the mo tioh. Soldiers who were suffering from shell shock could stand very little liauor and it ■would bo better not to have it.

Mr .H. J. Harris expressed himself as not being in favour of the motion unless it was the wish of the men themselvtes.. There had not been abuse of liquor in the past. . The Mayor supported' what had 'beep said by Lieutenant Benzie* and Mr Vercoe.

Mr Lock, speaking , as• a temperance man, said that he would not oppose the quor being provided, unless it-, was th.fi specific desire of the Returned'(Soldiers' Association that it should not Be' supplied. Otherwise he- was- i£i favour; of what -i.r .Harris? Had if soldier wanted a'glass of aU yi'ith'Kli lunch he- should have it. "'"'' ..." ". "■ V " J

It was eventually resolved that matter be referrd to the Eeturiiect Soldiers' Association for an "opinion.. Miss Wastney was appointed secr> tary and Mr Snodgrass chairman of the. committee. >

The Mayor reports that £3 has beeii received from Mi- G. Hbby and hama promised by Mettsrs Levin and Cta. and H Baigent. ITALIAN REI> CROSS. A meeting of the Italian Red Cross Committer was. held last night, the Mayor presiding. ' • It was resolved to accept' tlie offer of the ladies of the Red Cross Committee to carry out the arrangements in connection with stalls, afternoon teas, etc., at Trafalgar Park. Mr Crequer forwarded suggestions in connection with decorated caTs. 11 Mr E. S. Cress-well, who had acted as seer, tary pro-tem., reported that ha had acted upon resolutions' of the previous meeting. He had seen Mr H. J. Harris. He had not got official replies from the bands, but unofficially he was informed that the bands could lx- depended upon. Captain Burn had referred him to Lieut. Benziis as to a parade on the day, and this would be ( arranged. Arrangements were also in progress for a display by the Retailers.

Mr E. S. Cresswell was then elected hon. secretary and Mr Walter S. Sncdgrass hon. treasurer. The Mayor reported as to what had ' taken place at' the meeting i n conotc- , tion with the returned soldiers' reunion. Mi- Cress well'reported that, provided the necessary permission could be obtained, Mr fienrj Hebberd, of Wangamoa, had offered ft> provide all the' meat required in the way of game for the returned soldiers' luncheon^ It was resolved to ask the reswer- ' wye managements of the Helping HandW Shop and the Union Jack Tra Rooms to assist the fund by devoting some portion of the July 'takings' theiieto. It was left to the executive committee to make arrangements for some entertainment for tlie -evening of August sth.

■Miss Tonilinson, Mr W. Lock| and Lieutenants Benzies and Vercoe'w,.re added to the executive committee. The secretary reported that Mrs Ba-' tira had offered a prize of six guinea* • for the Retailers' decorative competi- l tion Messrs Buxton and Co. and Mr W. Lock had also offrred tropin a. A' ' m,." 10 -, 1 ? tro P hie « were required. Th| Mayor and Mr Sid Bush were. deputed to collect the necessary tro- '

On the motion of .Messrs WiUer Snodßr,™ and Stile, it w „ iS' that a copper tml be held on the as Plialt track at Trafalcar Park dnrimr " the aft. moon, the Returned Soldiers' ' £'this SSked t0 take cliar ff° Tt waj resolved that the next meet-'. ma be held on the 16th inst.