SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS' FUND.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13824, 20 July 1915, Page 6

SICK AND WOUNDED SOLDIERS' FUND.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE COM-

MITTEE.

■A'meeting of the Executive Committee of the fcSicl?: 'and Wounded Soldiers and their Dependents' Fund was. held at the Council Chambers last evening. The Mayor (Mr C. J. Harley) presided, and there was a. good, attendance <■•* members, including a fair proportion of ladies. The hoiu treasurer. (Mr E. J Allen) repotted that, the totul contributions to date were £2385 2s 3d, the cash in hand being £2008 15s 3d. Witu the hon. secretary (Mr W. W. Snodgrass), he had made inquiries of the Post Office and the Public Trust Office with regard to earning some intereston the amount in hand, and eyentually it was decided to place £1500 on fixed deposit for two yours with the Bank of New Zealand at 4 per cent. This meant that £5 per month was being earned as interest. Of course, the mosey was not at call, but if it was needed no doubt that could be overcome. Tho action of the treasurer and secretavV was approved, and it was resolved that as much as was available of the remainder be placed in the Post Office Savings Bank, where interest at 3-3 per cent, would be received up to £ftoo and 3 per cent, for any amount over. that. The secretary read reports from various correspondents at Takaka, Kohatu, Upper Moutere, Murchi&on, Thorpe, Ngatimoti, Stanley Brook, and Motueka. In tverv case cordial co-operation was promised, and details were given of what had so far been done in support of the movement. A letter was read from Dr. Deck, of Motucka, with regard to the case of a woman whose son had been killed in action. This soldier was the only support of his mother.—lt was resolved to ask the Mottueka Committee for an immediato .report on the case, so that any relief necessary could be arranged without delay. Tlio case of a. returned sailor from the Philomel was considered, tihe secretary reading correspondence, including a letter from the Minister for Defence, who had obtained the man a position on a ferry boat at Wellington. It was resolved to forward copies of the correspondence to the Riwaka Comjmittee (which is interested) for a- ro- , port.

Mr George Kidsots, Sherry, wrote 'asking for assistance in obtaining in- ' formation regarding his late son's afi fairs. The son. Trooper Frank Kidjson, died in hospital at Alexandria.— (A letter o.f inquiry to the Minister for I Defence as framed by the secretary of the commite© was approved Mr Stewart L. Fairhall, on behalf of the Murohison Axemen's Associaium, wrote offering to donate the proceeds of the association's annual ball to such funds as the committee dosired. —The oifer met with approval. The Bainham Patriotic and Recruiting Association wrote suggesting thai:, that fund aad the Sick and Wounded Soldiers' Fund should be amalgamated. The Collingrwood Patriotic and Recruiting Association protested against the decision of the recent conference to placo the funds in the hands of the Public Trustee. The protesting association was of opinion that this course would lead to great delays. The secretary explained, that, he had seen Mr J E. Allen, district agent for the Public Trust Office, who explained that the writers of tl'£ letter were in error. In the event of the funds boing placed with the Public Trust Office the district agent would be in the position of secretary of whatever board or trustees were appointed by the exocutive, and he wouid disburse the ! moneys as directed by the trusteos, 'and any moneys voted could bo obtainled in a few moments. Mr H. T. Palmer, of Bright-water, wrote expressing thanks for the trouble that had been taken to gain information regarding his son. A letter from the iled Cross Society was lead asking for a conference with regard to house-to-house canvassing. The secretary asked that this matter should be held over, as Mrs Crawford, secretary of the Ladies' Committoo of the Sick and Wounded Soldiers Fund, was ill, and he did not think it would be right to take any action in her absence. It would mean a shore postponement only A circular convening a conference m Wellington regarding a national scheme was read. In the discussion which followed upon the reading of iihe circular, it was pointed out that there was no suggestion of pooling dunds--that suggestion had been killed, it was. however, proposed to discuss a scheme for uniformity of benefits and working, and possibly the practicability of districts financially strong helping the weaker ones by assistance m organisation or possibly voluntary fanancial aid, etc. _ 11+14. \ftcr discussion, it was resolved that Air W W. Snodgnvss.'secretary of. the committee, and Mr T. A. H. Field MP. be the Nelson delegates at the conference; and a committee to prepare remits and otherwise instruct the delegates was set up as follows .— Ihe Mayor (Mr C. J. Harley), Rev W. Baumber, Rev. T. G. Butter Messrs Duncan, E. B. Moore, It. B. Jackson, and the secretary. . There was a stironc feeling m favour of showing some mark of honour to the wounded soldiers recently returned, but a difficulty was felt m taking action owhK to tJie fact that some of the men are "too ill to attend any public function. Finely, it was resolved on the motion of Mrs Buchanan, that j letter be sent to each of the men, ana that they be invited to be present at the Produce- Fair on featxirday next, when the Mayor will address a few words of welcome' and appreciation ot their services to the Empire.