THE OTAGO PATRIOTIC FUND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16546, 20 November 1915, Page 8

THE OTAGO PATRIOTIC FUND.

OTAGO PATRIOTIC AND GENERAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION. The hon. treasurers of the Otago Patriotic and Goneral Welfare Association acknowledge the receipt of the following donations to the fund: —

Otago Daily Times Belgian Fund (previously acknowledged) 24,031 3 9 Otago Daily Times general Hat (previously acknowledged) ... 19,340 10 5 Total £95,142 9 7 B Denotes Belgian Relief Fund; W denotes Wounded Soldiers' Fund. PASSED AS FIT. The following men have been passed as medically fit: — Charles Thomas Munro, hotelkeeper, infantry. Hugh Selwyn Fraer, clerk, artillery. James Stewart Nicholson, dentist, infantry. William Allen Mason, nurseryman, infantry. William John Moore, commercial traveller, artillery. i SERVICE IN SAMOA. REGISTRATION INVITED. It has been decided to accept registration of men for service in Samoa for the duration of the war. The men must be medically fit, and may be between the ages of 43 and 47. A total of 20 medically fit men are to be registered in each military district. GOING TO THE FRONT. The staff of the National Bank made a. presentation to Messrs A. White and T. G. Denniston on their leaving for Trentham. The manager (Mr M'lntosh) presented the former with a pair of military brushes and razor, and the latter with a pair of military brushes and pipe. Mr White left for Trentham on Monday morning, and Mr Denniston on Thursday. Mr W. Harris, jun., known more familiarly as "Pat" Harris, who was a member of the Now Zealand Rugby team that toured Australia in 1896, left for Trentham with the 10th Reinforcements . On Tuesday night a number of the employees of Messrs Murray, Roberts assembled' at Mr Harris, sen.'s, house at the University to bid him God-speed. A pleasant social evening was spent, and Mr Sutherland, on behalf of the employees, presented Mr Harris, with a case of Loewe pipes. On the premises of the Dunedin Fibrous Plaster Company on Wednesday evening, Mr Perry Newman, on leaving for Trentham, was presented with a handsome shaving outfit by tho Otago Operative Plasterers' Union, and a comprehensive smoker's outfit, consisting of a case of Leo we pipes, tobacco pouch, and cigarette holder from his fellow employees of the company, also a wristlet watch from the proprietor, all the articles being suitably engraved. The union president made the presentation on behalf of the Plasterers' Union, Mr R. Hosie doing likewise on behalf of Mr Newman's fellow employees of the company. Mr Newman warmly thanked the donors of the gifts, particularly for the kindly feelings expressed towards him. The company having supplied refreshments, Mr Wardrop proposed the toast of the departing volunteer. He stated that their guest was the fifth member of a small staff to volunteer. He was leaving a wife and three children while he was going to fight for King and country. He was the fourth son of Mr and Mrs W. A. Newman to obey the imperative call. Two of his brothers (one wounded), now at the front, were also married men with children, and he considered that they showed a fine example of the highest form of national service. The toast was enthusiastically honoured, and three hearty cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Newman and tho family of the departing volunteer. Mr Newman feelingly responded. Mr W. A. Newman (president of the Master Plasterers' Association, and father of the guest of the evening) was present DEATH OP A SOLDIER. (Pee United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON. November 19. Trooper Thomas Marshall, a married man, 28 years of age, living at Lower Hutt, died in the Wellington Hospital last night. Ho had been ill three months. WAR PENSIONS BOARD. 424 CASES DEALT WITH. (Pra Utrrrro Phbss Absociatiow.) WELLINGTON, November 19. The War Pensions Board has dealt with 424 cases to date. Of theso 222 pensions were granted, 42 declined, 21 adjourned, and 83 are in hand. The average pensions granted amounted to £48. FIRST OFFENDING PRISONERS. DESD3E TO ENLIST <Peh Dihted Pbbbs Associaticw.) WELLINGTON, November 19. The Trades and Labour Council is urging upon the Minister of Justice a proposal to set free first offending prisoners who desiro to go to the front. It is stated that there are 200 or 300 prisoners of this class in New Zealand, and many of thsm had offered to enlist if they had an opportunity. It was contended by the speakers that if the re quest were acceded to it would give such men an opportunity to retrieve their characters, and at the same time do something for the country. LIEUTENANT TREGEAR. Advice has been received by Mrs J. H. Tregeax, 593 Anderson Bay road, that her son, Lieutenant H. V. Tregear, has been admitted to tho _ 21st General Hospital. Alexandria, suffering severely from enteric. Lieutenant Tregear, who was a member of tho staff of tho Victoria Insurance Company, left with the Fifth Reinforcements. PRIVATE FAIRBAIRN. Private Colin Albert Fairbairn., who has been killed m action, was a son of Mr James Fah-bairn, of Highcliff. He joined the Canadian Reinforcements, being attached to the machine gun section. Just prior to leaving Engand he wrots stating that his brigade was embarking next day, presumably for Franco. Private Fairoairn was the second son of Mr Fairbairn who had died in his country's service, a younger brother, Hunter Fairbairn, being killed a few days after tho landing at tbe Dardanelles.

OTAGO WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION. Thursday and Friday of each week are now appointed ae the days to bring in things to the Early .Settlors' Hall and assemble regularly for work. This arrangement will give tho executive an opportunity of attending to a wholo lot of duties that had to bo temporarily shelved during tho rash of urgent work. _ If there is a sudden call upon tho association, therefore a necessity for tho workers to assornblo on any day other than tho two mentioned, notico will be given. Blocks of tho art union tickets must bo in by Tuesday. About £175 was raised by means of the Otago Art Society's exhibition last year, and' tho_ prospccts indicate a good return on this occasion. The following donations have been received:— Waistcoat Fund. —Mrs Mason 10s. Patriotio Fund.—Miss Grindley 10s. Belgian Relief. —Mrs Whitehorn, Mrs Mew (Gaversham), Mns Woodle.y, Mrs Bowie, Mi's M'Laren (Anderson Bay), Mrs Eocilos, "Makarora," Mi's Murphy, Mrs M'Lellan, E.J.B. Lady Liverpool Fund. —Women of First Church, Mrs Preen, Mrs A. Scott, Roslyn and Kaikorai hrank of Women's Patriotic Association, Master Robert Aitken, Mrs P. R. Sargood, Mrs Charles Findlay, Mrs Whipps, Mra Commin, Mrs More Wright (St. Kilda Patriotio Guild, per Mrs Hastings), Women of North-East Valley Patriotic Association, Miss Bagshaw, Mrs Paris. ST. CLAIR BRANCH. Work was continued as usual on Thursday afternoon and evening. Although generous gifts of clothing for the Belgian box have been given, it is not really full. It is desired to get this box away as soon as possible, and further donations of women's, men's, and children's clothing will be gratefully received. One little girl sent a nice book for a Belgian child, and other little girls are asked to follow her good example and give something for poor Belgian children. Comforts for our soldier boys have never been more needed than at present,, and there is an urgent appeal for money and material for handkerchiefs, socks, balaclavas, etc. Old blankets, wool material, and linen are always wanted. The ing donations were thankfully received: — Mrs A. G. Frnwiek (scarf and mittens), Mrs Dunham (clothing for Belgian relief). Miss M'Carthy (face cloths), Miss Fullerton - (linen), Mrs Holmes (service bags), Mrs Jas. White (2s 6d), Mrs Marriage (£1 for ambulance). OVERSEAS CLUB. The Ladies' Committee and members have completed their work for the week, with the result that a large amount of comfortable clothing for the Belgians is now ready for packing. The committee makes a special appeal for funds to purchase material for making up. Cotton material for convalescent soldiers is urgently needed by the New Zealand hospital nurses. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays the room is open from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m., so that those who desire to send donations may do so on the above days. The committee wishes to return thanks for the following donations:—Mrs Joseph Allen, £1 and warm woollen clothing ; A Friend, 10s; Mrs Lindo Ferguson, clothing for Belgians; Miss Faulks, baby woollen clothing; Mrs Logan, socks, cuffs, books, linen. WORK AT MORNINGTON. A largo quantity of good warm clothing for Belgian relief and several new woollen garments for the "babies' box" were received at tho Mornington Council Chambers this week, also the November monthly Belgian collection, amounting to £67 2s lOd. A number of socks, balaclava caps, cuffs, and scarves were packed and sent to the Early Settlers' Hall, together with the monthly donation of £18 lis 6d for the various women's patriotic funds. Twentyseven dozen housewives were cut and given out to be made for the soldiers. The pupils of the Mornington School (per Miss M. King) sent their weekly donation, consisting of face-cloths, 5 pairs of socks, 4 pairs ol cuffs, 1 balaclava cap, 1 service bag for the reinforcements and 2 bandages, and 2 handkerchiefs for the Red Cross work, lyjthleen and Dick Davidson, a tiny girl and boy, sent their Guy Fawkes money (2s 6d) for Belgian babies. Misses Rattray and Geerin will be at the chambers on Monday to receive the money for tho Art Society's union tickcts, and on Thursday afternoon and evening to receive donations for Hospital Friday. Socks, balaclava caps, and cuffs for the soldiers and clothing of all kinds for Belgian relief will be gratefully received. The following have sent donations:— Lady liverpool Fund. —Mesdames Liddell and Tait, Miss Lake, A. R., and pupils of the Mornington School (per Miss M. King). Belgian, Relief. —Mesdames Liddell, Telfer, E. G. Edwards, Risk, White. Begbie, and Anderson, Misses Lake, Liddell, and little Vesta Liddell. Lady French —Mrs E. G. Edwards. * Red Cross. —Mrs Hutton, sen. Money.—Waistcoat Fund: Mrs Bathgate £1, Mrs Kingston 10s, Francis O. Buchanan (Waikouaiti) ss, sale of bag 2s 6d. Red Cross: Mrs Hutton, sen., Is 6d. Belgian Relief: " Sympathiser " £5, " Wellwishers " £4, Kathleen and Dick Davidson 2s 6d " Little Jean " 2d. Money for soldiers' equipment fund is still required. UNFOUNDED RUMOURS. TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—As I have received letters from New Zealand telling me that some absurd statements had gained currency concerning me, I shall be glad if you will allow me space to give these an absolute denial. Certainly my first feeling was to indulge in laughter, and take no further notice of them, but as there may be some foolish people who believe them, I suppose it is wise to let them know that I am still at largo in the country and not languishing in tho cells of a prison, that my loyalty as a British subject lias never been questioned, not even at the War Office, where I was offered' control of a military hospital if I could get together a staff of colonial women doctors. lam now resident at the Royal Infirmary',' Sheffield, to which convoys of wounded soldiers come every few days, and where I am accepted without the slightest question of my loyalty. It certainly seems absurd that in Dunedin, where I have lived my whole life, and where it_ is known that I havo left a good practice and paid my passage to England in order to give my services here, my motives should be questioned. Hysteria is surely spreading in New Zealand. I may add also that my brother is engaged in a very large engineering firm in England, where he has the entiro confidence and respect of all with whom he works. —I am, etc., E. H. SIEDEBEKG. Sheffield, October 10.

Previously acknowledged St. Kilda October collection, per Miss Runciman Moa Plat, Edievale, and Dunrobin October contribution, per Moa Flat Patriotio Association Employcea J. Thompson and Co Staff King Edward Technical College "W. D. S.," October and November donations October collection, per Mrs R. Sinclair Duncdkt City Corporation, Sullivan Dam employees ... Employees A. and T. Inglis, weekly contribution Employees H. V. Haddock (Ltd.), 17th fortnightly contribution . Taieri Women's Patriotio Association, November contribution ... ... Evening Star collection (previously acknowledged) Employees J. Romison and Co.'s factory and shops, monthly contribution Dunedin City Corporation, Roslyn quarry employees ... £51,624 1 6 B 31 18 6 b 53 5 0 b 1 7 0 b 1 13 6 b 20 0 0 b 17 3 6 w 1 1 6 b 3 18 5 b 1 7 6 b 5 0 0 w 6 15 6 w 2 13 6 w 010 0 £51,770 15 5