SOUTHLAND WAR FUNDS ASSOCIATION

Southland Times, Issue 17789, 19 July 1916, Page 2

SOUTHLAND WAR FUNDS ASSOCIATION

MEETING OF INVERCARGILL BRANCH.

•The regular monthly meeting of the Invercargill branch of the Southland War Funds Association was held in the Town Hall last night, when there were present —Messrs R. C. Tennent Ichalrmau), M. Thompson, S. Craig, C. Benaoni, C. S. Longuet, F. Bicknell, J. F. LUllcrap, W. Rcbson, R. F. Meek, R. M. Isaacs, C. P. Howard, Mesdames Howard, Tennent, Basstlan, Thompson, Rennie, McDonald and the secretary (Mr Chas. Campbell). ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE. The secretary presented the report of the Entertainment Committee, which stated that such committee consisted of Messrs J. R, Jiaigh (phairmon), J. D. Gilmore, A. S. Wallace, C. E. Tates, and Dr Brown, and that it bad assumed the duty of promoting entertainments for the raising of funds. It was of opinion that the question of the entertaining of troeps at reunions, receptions, and farewells is a matter for the Reception Committee. In connection with the promotion of concerts, the committee stated that it had asked for assistance and cooperation from the following societies, namely:—lnvercargill Orchestral Society, Pops Concert Party, Choral Society, Orphans* Club, Catholic Club, St. Andrew’s Society, Commercial Travellers’ Association, First Church Voice Choir, Mr A. Sutherland’s Party, the Bands. Up to the present favourable replies had been received from the Invercargill Orchestral Society, St. Andrew’s Society, the Commercial Travellers and Mr Sutherland, while the bands, with their usual readiness, bad agreed to assist in any way possible. Regarding country concerts, the committee decided to give all the assistance they could to the country branches of the Association In connection with the holding of entertainments in country centres, and Is pleased to be able to report that Mr A. S. Wallace has kindly undertaken the arranging, organising and carrying out of a complete series of country concerts. It is gratifying to be able to record that already Mr Wallace has arranged for concerts at the following places, namely; —Thornbury, Otautau, Mataura, Alataura Island, Rlversiiale, Mossburn, Waianlwn, Fortrose, Walmahaka, Bluff, Nightcaps and Walkaka, and others are being added daily. It should be mentioned that the proceeds of this series of concerts Is to be devoted to the Gift Parcels scheme. On the motion of Messrs S. Craig and J. F. Lilli crap, the report was adopted, end a vote of thanks was accorded to the committee for Its good work. GIFT PARCELS,

Mrs B. Gilmore Thompson read the report of the Gift Parcels Committee, ■which states, inter alia, that the Invercargill branch lor the gift parcels was opened on 3rd July. Since that date it has distributed tho following:—7oo No. 1 bags, 000 No. 2 bags, 150 No. 3 bags, 800 soap bags, 940 handkerchiefs, 610 teacloths, S spindles of wool. The following articles have been returned finished to the Central Depot: 620 handkerchiefs, 449 No. 1 bags, 370 No. 2 bags. 123 No. 3 bags, 60 soap bags, 416 teacloths, 20 pairs of socks. All these have been used for the first consignment of parcels which went forward last week. A band of ladies from the branch assisted with the packing on Wednesday and Thursday. The generous help given us by several ladies and children with gift afternoon and donations was highly appreciated. This is a phase of the work that we desire to bring prominently under the notice of our well-wishers. We therefore request the members of the committee to consider the question of the promotion of further gift afternoons and other entertainments as a matter of urgency. Too much stress cannot be laid, upon efforts for raising funds in this direction. The chairman congratulated tbc committee on the splendid report, and Mr Howard expressed thanks for the exceedingly satisfactory manner in which the work of the ladies had been carried out. The report was adopted. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS.

On behelf of the Special Collections Committee, Mr F. W. Blcknell stated that several meetings had been held with a view to promoting schemes for raising money, and it had been decided to hold a "Daffodil Day." The committee had asked the late Queen' Carnival Princess Section to help by holding street days, and already the Railway and Shipping, Travellers, and Army and Navy Committees had complied with the request.’ The display of the sea elephants had already netted £l6, and as they were to he on view during the remainder of the week, it was likely that £3O would be secured by this means. The report was adopted. A discussion ensued regarding the Daffodil Day function, and, on the motion of Messrs Howard and Longuet, it was resolved that it be a recommendation to the War Funds Committee that it promote a general Southland Daffodil Day; that all branches be asked to make a united effort, and that the proceeds be devoted to the Gift Parcels Scheme. VISITING COMMITTEE. Mr S. 13. McDonald reported that the visiting committee’s duties were to lookafter the sick and wounded soldiers in the hospitals and homes, and that it was drawing up a comprehensive report on the subject of visitation, and would present same at the next meeting. In the meantime all the soldiers were being looked after. The chairman expressed the thanks of the branch to Mr McDonald. Th question of promoting a general scheme for raising funds was introduced by Mr R. M. Isaacs, who suggested the holding of an exhibition of locally-manu-factured goods. After discussion it was re sol veil to appoint a committee of 12 to meet the officials of the Queen Carnival Sections and discuss this proposal and other suggested means of raising funds. Mr Campbell mentioned that an idle rumour was being circulated to the effect that transport parcels were being to a large extent wasted by the soldiers who were supposed to simply extract the cigarettes, sweets, tins of soup, etc., therefrom, and throw the rest overboard. j'Tom the official information In the possession of the committee, be was In a position to give such a canard an emphatic denial, and in any case transport parcels consisted of articles of equipment only. It was to be regretted that, when the committee was striving to promote the gift parcel scheme and bad. Just succeeded in despatching its first quota, that a story of the kind was being circulated to the detriment of the scheme and thereby Increasing the dH3tecdthac He remarked upon the splendid work being done at the parcels depot, and litis elifired applause from the rnfflinc.