FOR THE CHILDREN.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 12975, 14 December 1910, Page 1 (Supplement)

FOR THE CHILDREN.

PROPOSED WARD AT NELSON

HOSPITAL

PRELIMINARY MEETING OF

LADIES

(From "The Colonist," Nov. 10.)

A meeting of ladies convened by the Mayoress (Mrs T. Pettit) was held at the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon, to consider the question of raising funds for the erection of a children's ward at the Nelson Hospital. About two dozprt ladies were prasent, also the Mayor (Mr 1. Pettit), and the Town Clerk (Mr Gr. A. Edmonds). ■ ■ Tho Mayoress, in stating the object of the meeting, said that a. children s ward was much needed at the Hospital.. There was tha probability of the Pitt memorial fund, which amounted to £400 odd, being devoted to the pur-, pose, and she thought now was the proper time to make a move. She mentioned that the estimated cost of the ward would be between £600 and £700, .or perhaps more. The Mayoress apologised far the absence of Mrs (Dr) Andrew, of Stoke, who had expressed her synpathy with the object of the meeting, and her willingness to canvass that district. Apologies were also received from several other.ladies. Mrs Millington, of Hayward's Pictures, offered on. behalf of tho company to give one evening's entertainment at the Theatre Royal and donate the gross proceeds to the fund. The offer was accepted with thanks, and the prices of admission were fixed at 2s, Is, and«half price for children. After discussion Wednesday, December 7th, was the date fixed for the entertainment. On the motion of the Mayoress Mrs C. Y. Fell was appointed chairwoman of ;the.;commiitee. "■ * .-. -1 __ It was decided tc-ask*Mr«^Wf~ *W.Snodgrass to act as honorary secretary of the fund, and Mr G. A. Edmonds was appointed honorary treasurer. The Mayor said that if they got the money subscribed towards the Pitt memorial fund, about £250 or £300 would be required. . If, however, this' money was not forthcoming, more money would have to be collected, and the erection' of the ward would perhapp be postponed for some time, but in any case there was no reason; why im- | mediate- steps slurald not bei taken to ' collect funds, to farther the object. Mrs Fell consented to ask the principals of Nelson College to arrange for the attendance of the scholars at .the entertainment. : 7 On the motion of Mesdames Baigent and Pettit it was decided to ask twelve young ladies to take charge of collecting boxes at the A. and P. Association's forthcoming show, and a committee consisting of Mesdames Saxon, Bisley, Baigent, Pettit, Cresswell and Watson, with power to add to their number, were appointed to make arrangements. [ Mrs Johnston s offer to assist the committee was accepted. . .'. ■ ;'.■■,■ It was resolved on ther motion of Mesdamos Lenuner and Watson "that Christmas Eve be observed as Hospital Saturday, and that arrangements be made for taking up street collections in aid of th©: ward fund on that day. The following committee, with power to add to their number, were appointed to carry out the details :— Misses Atkinson, Blick, Bisley, Clar-k Mesdames Lemmer, Johnston, and Neale. ', < \t , It was decided to ask the Nelson Garrison and Citizens' Bands to givo open air concerts in aid of the fund. Mesdames Fell, Martin, Pettit, and Watson.-' 1 were appointed a, committee to wait upon the Pitt Memorial! Committee and lay the movement before that body. • . . " Mrs Martin undertook to interview any gentlemen in the city whom it was thought might be to donate £25 towards the fund. On the motion of Mesdames Baigent and Pettit: it was resolved that the two lady members of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board be requested to lay before members a suggestion that a collection in aid of the fund be takenjiip in -^eh contributing ._ It was decided- -'on the '/.■motion \ of Misses B'ick and Bailie that arrangements, if possible; be mado; for a penny collection from scholars; to be' taken up in each of the public schools in the hospital district on Thursday, December Bth. ■■-•.-

On the ; motion of Mesdames Lemmer and Bisley it was decided to ask the Churches to take up a special collection in aid of the fund on an early

Sunday. It was resolved on. tho motion of "Miss EisJey and Mrs Watson, to ask Miss Nellie Stewart and her company (due to play a season in Nelson at the end of December) "to assist the movement in some way. , It was also decided on the motion of Mesdaraes Saxon and Millington, to ask Mr R. L. Foster if he would render songs at the picture, entertainment. , .. ... ,v ; } The f oltowing ladies were appointed a committee to. tindertake: the. selling of tickets f or . the . entertainment : Misses Lineham, Jitkinson, CJark (2), Bisley, Mesdame^ Fell, Pettit, Johnston, Baigent, . Millington, Watson, Martin, Creaswell, Lemmer, "Neale, Bisf.ey, Squires^ Saxon, Allan, Livick, and Andrew.. . ;■■!..', ... ■..-:>.■"..:

The question of making a house to house canvass in aid of the fund was deferred until the commencement of the new "year. " " A 'rote of thanks to -Mrs Fell for presiding concluded the meeting.

ThO children's war 4 fund benefited | to tfie extent of £61 19s Bd, , upon, which a Government subsidy will be payable, as the result of th© efforts of the lady collectors on the show ground ! yesterday. The collectors were Misses Spear, Baigent,' Hayes, J. Pettit, M. Pettit, Glbuston, Saxon, Harkness, Allan, Hounsell, Brusewitz, Moore, Baigent, Perrin, Bisley, " and Sister Vaggw; The sub-committee of ladies who; arranged' for the collection consisted of Mesdames 'Pottit, Baigent, Saxon. CressweU, Hayes, Watson, and A. H. Bisley.