WELFARE LEAGUE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 66, Issue 5596, 24 March 1943, Page 6

WELFARE LEAGUE

POKURU BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING HELD The annual meeting of the Pokuru Welfare League was held in the Kakepuku Hall on Wednesday, 17th inst., when Mrs Ray presided over a good attendance. A large number of letters from our home and overseas boys were read, all showing great appreciation for parcels and tobacco despatched to them. A bring and buy stall did good business and the ladies spent the afternoon busily engaged in sewing, knitting, etc. PRESIDENT’S REPORT The president’s annual report read: ‘Tn presenting the second annual report of the Welfare League, I am pleased to say that despite benzine restrictions the meetings have been well attended, and the bring and buy stall well patronised. The rationing of material and wool during the year greatly curtailed our work as regards sewing and knitting.

“In an endeavour to do something useful in place of the sewing which had fully occupied our time qt the meetings, we had Mrs Dew, Manurewa, demonstrate papier mache, splint making. The demonstration took place in June, and by October fifty splints of various sizes had been made in conjunction with the Red Cross meetings. The finished splints have been given to the E.P.S., Home Guard and Red Cross.

“We had our annual effort in July, and it took the form of a children’s fancy dress dance. The evening was most successful in every way, and we are indebted to Mr Box and Miss Graham for the time and patience spent in training the children and for taking full charge of the programme in the early part of the evening.

“In August the League had charge of the patriotic shop in Te Awamutu

and we are grateful to those who helped us stock the shop that day. “Mrs McVerry was farewelled in November, the Red Cross joining with us in making the afternoon most enjoyable. At our last meeting of the year, held in December, we had a flower show, and it created much interest. Mr Williams, of Te Awamutu, very kindly did the judging. “Apart from the sewing forwarded to the Lady Galway Guild, garments and quilts have been sent twice to the ‘City Mission,’ Auckland; also one parcel of infant’s clothes to the Salvation Army Children’s Home at Melville, Hamilton. Now for the other side of our work —the boys parcels.—These have been sent forward regularly at three month intervals, the number of parcels sent overseas is 73, and the pounds of tobacco 36, which brings the total number sent overseas to 109. I am glad to say that to our knowledge all parcels have arrived safely, and one has just to read the letters of thanks from the boys to know how much they appreciate being remembered. The boys in camp in New Zealand were not forgotten, and three times during the year parcels were sent to them, making a total of 56, and those parcels, too, were most welcome to the recipients. Altogether the League has sent 165 parcels to boys during the past year. The prisoners of war were not forgotten, and three pullovers, two balaclavas, one scarf and one pair socks were given to the next-of-kin.

It is with regret that we have had to remove one name from our list— Edward Barnes Walker having made the supreme sacrifice.

I wish to thank all those who have made donations from time to time in money and goods for the parcels. The two ladies who every meeting spend much time and thought cutting out various garments have our sincere thanks.

My committee I thank most sincerely for their loyal support during the past year. I would also like to say thank you to the ladies who work quietly all the time and keep up our sock supply. To the Hall Committee I express my thanks for their generosity in allowing us the free use of the hall during the past two years. The year that lies ahead will have many difficulties, but if we go forward with faith and courage we will win through, and ere this year ends may we hear the bells of Britain ring out their message of peace.” The balance-sheet for the year was submitted and adopted. Following are the office bearers for the year:—President, Mrs Ray; secretary, Mrs Box; committee, Mesdames A. Gray, R. Harris, Mrs B. Murray, Barr, Law, Osborne and Woolley. Mesdames McLeay, A. Murray and Law dispensed afternoon tea and the meeting concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.