THE CITIZENS' RESPONSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15685, 12 August 1914, Page 9

THE CITIZENS' RESPONSE.

ABOUT £10.000 RECEIVED.

SPONTANEOUS RESPONSE.

THANKS FROM AUTHORITIES.

The Finance Committee of the Citizens' Patriotic Fund met yesterday morning, when the Mayor of Auckland was authorised to increase the contribution to the Government for tho equipment of the troops, leaving Now Zealand to £5000.

The Mayor at once telegraphed the committee's decision to the Minister for Defence and later in the day received tho following acknowledgment from tho Primo Minister:— Government has received with tho utmost pleasure your telegram intimating that at a meeting of the Auckland citizens* it was decided to subscribe £5000 to the Now Zealand Patriotic Fund. Will you convoy an expression of our appreciation to the loyal and patriotic citizens of Auckland, for their generous and munificent gift, which is gratefully accepted."

His Excellency tho Governor has despatched tho following message to the Mayor:—"Pleaso express to Auckland citizens my wannest appreciation of their generosity and patriotism, as shown by their magnificent subscriptions to the Patriotic Fund."

The Minuter for Dofence telegraphed as follows to tho Mayor:"Please accept youjjfclf, and convoy to the Auckland citizens tho Government's sincere appreciation of their contribution, which will be gratefully accepted."

Members of tho Finance Committee have formed themselves into collecting committees as follows East side of Queen Street to Victoria Street and side streets, Messrs. V. J. Earner and H. D. Heather] Queen Street, from Victoria Street to Town Hall, Mr. Wesley Spragg and another; Queen Street, from Wyndham Street to tho Town Hall, Messrs. J. C. Macky and A. N. Sneddon; Quay Street to Upper Hobson Street, Messrs. A. S. Bankart and A. C. Caughey. Subscriptions to the Fund. The directors of the South British Insurance Company havo decided that all members of its staff going on military duty shall bo paid half salary for six months (when tho position will be reconsidered), and that their appointments in tho company will be kept open for them. Tho benefits under the staff's provident fund will also attach. They also decided that tho company should donate £1000 to the Patriotic Fund.

Auckland Civil servants have agreed to donate one day's pay from their Aueust salary to tho fund, pending the drawing up of a scheme by the Executive Council for regular contributions. At a meeting held yesterday, tho Civil servants decided to place their association at' tho disposal of the committee of the National Reserve pivision for the purposo of enrolling members.

At a meeting of the city and suburban police force yesterday afternoon tho sum of about £100 was subscribed towards the Patriotic Fund. This sura will be considerably augmented by subscriptions from country members of the force. Substantial Donations. J The amount so far received by the Citizens' Committee reaches.a total of about £10,000. In addition to the subscriptions previously acknowledged the committee has received the following donations :—

New Zealand Insurance Company, £1000. Brett Printing and Publishing Company, £1000. In forwarding the cheque to the Mayor yesterday, Mr. H. Brett desired that the donation of his company should be devoted to that section of tho local fund set apart for the alleviation of the loss and suffering, that would be in-, separable in this district from the existence of a state of war.

Green and Colebiwk, £1000. Mr. and Mrs. Colebrook have also offered a feixcylinder Daimler motor-car which, if not wanted by tho Auckland Committee, is to be placed at the disposal of the New Zealand Government.

John Burns and Co., £100. Winstone, Ltd., £100. Arthur Yates, £100. Dr. T. Hope Lewis, £50.

Otahuhu Borough Council, £50.

Other subscriptions were:—A. purges, Mayor of Otahuhu, £25; A. Thome George, £25; New Zealand' Land and Estate Agents and Auctioneers' Association, £20; E. S. Wright, £10; F. S. Sanderson, £5. A number, of other donations have not yet been entered.

WORK IN THE SUBURBS.

ENTHUSIASTIC LADIES.

The ladies of Birkenhead and Northcote mot yesterday afternoon for the purpose of taking steps to raise funds to provide equipment for the troops. Mr. U. Fraser, Mayor of Northcote, presided. A committee was formod to collect funds lroni residents in the districts. Mr. Eraser was appointed treasurer. A large number of oners of assistance wero received, and Mr. Clement L. YVragge promised to donate the proceeds of a lecture towards the fund. A -attended meeting of ladies was held at Unehunga last evening, to consider what steps they could take in the direction of providing clothing, etc, for the members of the expeditionary force, i'he Mayor, Mr. J. Rowe, presided, and after discussion, it was decided to make a house to house canvass for funds in Onehunga on Friday and Saturday next, i'he following donations wore received at the meeting Mrs. W. J. Brevin, £10 10a, and Mrs. Brown, £1.

ACTION IN HUNTLY.

COMBINERS HELPING.

The Taupiri Coalminerg' Union has decided to take up collections at the pitmouth. every pay-Jay. A motion authorising the collection was passed at a meeting of the union held at Huntly last night, when the president, Mr. S. Diion, who was in tho chair, stated that although most people would suffer from the war, the coalminers wero likely to reap somo advantages. Orders for coal were being received in great numbers, and tho New Zealand Government had recently placed an order for 30,000 tons. Thy union could therefore ho thought, afford to help others in less fortunate- circumstances. Tho meeting paseed a further resolution to'the effect that the Huntly Town Board should call a meeting of citizens in order that all might participate in tho movement.

WIVES OF VOLUNTEERS.

MAY DRAW HUSBAND'S PAY. [BT TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAI COKRESPOITMNT.] Welmngtok, Tuesday. The Minister for Defence, the Hon. James Allen, stated to-day in reply to Mr. J. Payne (Grey Lynn) that the Defence Department would carry out any instructions left by tho men who were joining the expeditionary forco in regard to their pay during their absence. Air. Payne «aid that several married men who were volunteering for service wished to have their pay hintiod to their vivo.