PATRIOTIC FUND.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1012, 10 May 1917, Page 9

PATRIOTIC FUND.

THE ANNUAL MEETING. ! The second annual general meeting of the Canterbury Patriotic Fund was held in Ihe Christchurch City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. The chairman of the fund, Mr It. Holland. Mayor of Christchurch, opened the meeting, and then lel'l to welcome the soldiers who returned from Ihe front. The deputy-chairman. Mr C. J. R. Williams, presided during Ihe Mayor's absence. About 20 other members were present. The chairman's report, and the annual accounts, which have been published, were adopted. In moving their adoption, Mr F. W. llobbs commented that alter two and a-half years of war, and despite heavy expenditure, it was exceedingly salisfac.tory to find thai Ihev had about £160,0(10 in hand, although the fund's scale of relief was the most liberal in New Zealand. Last year the executive committee consisted of Ihe Mayor of Christchurch and (it) members representing the city of Christchurch and Ihe various local authorities in North Canterbury. These were re-elected, with the addition of Messrs A. Kayc and R. T. Tosswill, and the chairman of the Ambcrley Town Hoard. The Mayor of Christchurch was reelected chairman, and Ihe appointments of Messrs C. J. H. Williams as deputy-chairman, and 1). Rutherford and H. A. Knight as trustees, were renewed. II was agreed that the Applications Committee should be elected by the executive. Mr H. R. Smith was re-elected hon. treasurer, Messrs Dougall and tipham were again appointed hon. solicitors, and Dr. W. Fox was reappointed hon. medical adviser. A letter was received from Milt. T. Tosswill tendering his resignation of the position of secretary to the fund, owiiig to health reasons, and expressing his appreciation of Ihe courtesy and confidence extended to him in Ihe past. Tributes were paid lo Mr Tosswill's work by several members. Mr F. W. llobbs, in expressing his own appreciation, said that Mr Tosswill had done Ihe work almost free of charge, as the amount paid lo him in salary was almost taken up by the cost of Ihe clerical assistance which he had lo have. An effort was made by some members lo induce Mr Tosswill to reconsider his decision, hut Mr Tosswill made his pronouncement definite. He remarked, in doing so, that even if lie wen' offered £2OOO a year he would adhere lo hi.s decision, for accusations, against him -and the executive* [of political bins and favouritism i would continue to come from a section of (lie community.

A special committee, consisting of Messrs J. 11. BJackwell, C. J. It. Williams, \V. 11. E. Wanklyn, F. \V. Hobbs, and R. T. Tosswill was appointed lo consider applications for the position of secretary, and report to a meeting of the executive. Subsequently a meeting of Ihe executive was held, al which consideration of a clause in the Supplementary Pensions scheme, which recommended that Ihe executive set aside £IO,OOO, in trust for orphans' supplementary pensions, and which had been deferred for consideration al this meeting, was adjourned sine die. On Ihe recommendation of Ihe Applications Committee ii was decided thai in fullire grants for the purchase of civilian clothing by returned soldiers, should be made only by means of orders on tradesmen. Messrs .1. 11. Blackwell, J. .1. Dougall. R. Evans, G. Harper, F. Ilorrell, F. W. Hobbs, 11. Holland, A. C. Maxwell, E. Nordon, .1. S. Priest, L. R. Webb, VV. Hadclille, T. Stone, A. J. Symons, C. .1. li. Williams, A. Kave, H. T. Tosswill and .1. C. Pridcaux were appointed Ihe Applications Committee for the coming year.