PATRIOTIC EFFORT

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 62, Issue 4422, 7 May 1941, Page 4

PATRIOTIC EFFORT

HAIRINI SOLDIERS’ WELFARE COMMITTEE. ANNUAL MEETING. The first annual meeting of the Hairini Soldiers’ Welfare Committee was held in the Hairini Hall on Monday evening last. There was a good attendance of members, the chairman, Mr Alan White, presiding. The chairman’s report on the operations for the year reads as follows: “It is with much pleasure that I present to you to-night the first annual report on the activities of the Hairini Soldiers’ Welfare Committee. We formed our committee last year with two objects in view: to raise funds to the limit of our ability for patriotic purposes, and to take an interest in the welfare of men from this district undergoing military service. I feel sure you will view with no small measure of pride the statement of accounts placed before you this- evening and I think we can claim that our efforts have not been excelled by any district comparable in population with Hairini. Although the greater portion of our receipts has been paid to the Provincial Patriotic Fund, we have also supported Other appeals: the Sick and Wounded Fund, Red Cross Society, Fighter Aeroplane Fund, Air Raid Relief, Home Guard and the St. John Ambulance Brigade.

“In addition to these donations we also arranged a function for the Hairini Hall Committee for funds to provide better and much-needed amenities at the Hall.

“Your committee took a very active part in the Queen Carnival appeal and the very satisfactory sum of £376 was collected in our district in support of the East Queen. Almost every householder in. our territory supported our appeal, on this occasion, with the greatest generosity, and perhaps at this stage we should place on record our special thanks to Mr Leo Long for his gift of field produce which was a wonderful source of revenue, to Mr and Mrs W. G. Parker for the use of their home and grounds for the Garden Party, and to Mr Morton Rennie for his splendid effort in connection with the Baby Contest. Our thanks should also go to those ladies and gentlemen who donated prizes for the competitions and to the ladies headed by Mrs Collison who organised the Jumble Sale. “Another branch of our activities has been to organise public farewells to men from this district about to leave for service overseas. We have had several functions of this nature and I am sure they are greatly appreciated by the' guests of honour. “In regard to the requests for parcels irom the Te Awamutu Patriotic Committee during the year, our committee has provided, in full, funds for the purchase of our quota. Ladies of the committee have also made up special parcels for members of the overseas forces from this district.

“In conclusion, may I extend to you all my sincere thanks for your loyal support in all our activities, and especially to the ladies who have so cheerfully provided the supper at our functions. Our committee was very fortunate in the choice of Mr L. R. Johnson as secretary-treasurer; he has spared neither time or energy in carrying out his duties, which in view of the extent of our operations has been no small task. We are also fortunate in having some very energetic men on our committee, including Mr S. Bryant, our auditor, and much of our success has been due to their help in canvassing the district for subscriptions and assisting at our functions. May I appeal to you not to relax in your efforts in the coming year, for the need for funds will increase as the war goes on, and the rehabilitation of our forces will, at the end of (he war, tax the resources of the National Patriotic Fund.”

An interesting summary of accounts was presented by the secre-tary-treasurer, Mr L. R. Johnson, and show that the total nett amount collected by the committee was £519 12s 4d, made up as follows:—Donations, Sick and Wounded Fund, £23 0s 6d; donations, East Queen Carnival account, £253 5s 6d; Garden Party East Queen account, £52 19s; dances, concert and jumble sale, £l9O 7s 4d. The principal items of dance profits disbursements were:—National Patriotic Fund, £93 16s lOd; local soldiers’ farewells, £25 6s 4d; Red Cross Society, £l4 3s 3d; Fighter Aeroplane Fund, £6 Is; Air Raid Relief, £26 18s lOd; St. John Ambulance Brigade, £l2 5s 9d; Hall Committee £6 15s 3d; Home Guard, £5. After a general discussion of questions concerning the disposal of funds, all present were unanimous that the committee carry on as in the previous year.

Officers elected for the ensuing year were: Chairman, Mr Alan White; deputy-chairman, Mr S. N. Verity; secretary-treasurer, Mr L. R. Johnson; auditor, Mr S. Bryant; ladies’ convener, Mrs S. N. Verity. A hearty vote of thanks was tendered to the outgoing officers, to the ladies responsible for the supper arrangements at the various functions, and to the men who regularly assist in the commitee’s activities, all of whom, it was stated, had been untiring in their efforts to carry on the good work.