GERALDINE REFUGEE WORK IN DISTRICT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21648, 8 May 1940, Page 3

GERALDINE REFUGEE WORK IN DISTRICT

Advocated By Red

Meeting Of Sub-Centre

Mrs L. E. Williams who presided at a general meeting of the Geraldine Sub-Centre of the Red Cross Society, stressed the importance of organising refugee work in the district and the need to conserve old linen, sheets and similar items as such things would be useful in an emergency.

The following refugee sub-committee was appointed to make necessary arrangements: Mesdames L. E. Williams, A. H. Norris, L. C. Mail. J. C. Templer, A. D. Sharpe and Miss E. L J. Davies.

The sick and wounded fund appeal for £250,000 was discussed at length, and it was unanimously decided to recommend that a house-to-house canvass be adopted throughout the area controlled by the Geraldine Red Cross Centre.

Mr P. G. Withers, jr., explained the method successfully adopted by the Geraldine Patriotic Zone Committee in raising funds for patriotic purposes, and it was agreed that the scheme where everyone was asked personally to give what they felt they could would raise the maximum amount with the minimum of effort and expenditure. The following committee was appointed to arrange the appeal in the area controlled by the Geraldine SubCentre: Mesdames L. E. Williams, P. W. Heslop, Miss K. Polhill, Messrs J. C. Templer, F. W. Bean and P. G. Withers, Jr.

The following offered ttheir services as collectors: Mesdames A. D. Sharpe L C. Mail, J. W. Davidson, R. G. Charters, Misses A. M. H. Howell, E. L. J Davies and E. M. Hislop.

It was also agreed to recommend to the Geraldine County Centre that a monthly sale be held in the depot, the funds to be divided equally between the Red Cross and Patriotic Funds.

OLD PIONEER PASSES

MRS AGNES MCDONALD An old pioneer of a retiring disposition, Mrs Agnes McDonald, died at Orari Bridge last week at the age of 91. Mrs McDonald was born in 1848 at the Earl of Camperdown’s estate near Dundee, Scotland, and came to New Zealand in the ship Merope in 1872. Agnes Waterston was her maiden name, and in 1873 she was married to Mr Alexander McDonald by the Rev. G. Barclay in Mr C. Smith’s home below the Geraldine Stone Bridge. The late Mrs McDonald leaves a family of nine, five living—Messrs John McDonald fOrari Bridge), David McDonald (Christchurch), Charlie McDonald (Orari Bridge), Mrs Titheridge (Christchurch), and Mrs G. Goulter (Geraldine).

The funeral on Sunday was a large one, the Rev. W. R. Lapsley conducting the service at the house and graveside. The bearers were Messrs W. I Ashby, John Reid, Miles Metcalf and Jock McLean, all sons of her old friends. The casket left from the residence of her son (Mr C. McDonald) for the Arundel cemetery and was draped with the McDonald tartan. Two pipers in Highland dress headed the cortege playing “Loch Duich.” At the cemetery the pipers led the procession playing “Loch Rannoch” and after the service at the graveside played the lament “The Flowers of the Forest.” The pipers were Messrs Davis McDonald, a grandson, and Mr Charles Gibson, who came from the same part of Scotland as the deceased. There were many beautiful wreaths

CARD EVENING The weekly euchre social conducted by the Geraldine branch of the Labour Party was well attended, and the prizes were won as follows: Women. Mrs W. P. Tangney 1, Mrs W. E. Foster 2. Men, Mr A. G. Johnston 1, Mr F. Hayward 2. A competition was won by Mr F. Richards. PERSONAL Expressing, regret at his retirement from active participation in the affairs of the Geraldine District High Schoo] Committee, a letter has been received by Mr A. M. Fyfe, formerly chairman of the Geraldine School Committee for the last 25 years, from the Canterbury Education Board. The letter states that the Board records appreciation of and its debt of gratitude for the loyal, devoted and valuable service rendered by Mr Fyfe to the school during his long and honourable term of office.

Mr E. Cholerton, optical specialist, proprietor of “Procter’s,” will be visiting Geraldine personally on Wednesday. May 15, when he may be consulted on all defects of eyesight at the Crown Hotel. Appointments can now be made by ringing Mr Morris Williams, chemist, ’phone 61. ....