PATRIOTIC FUND,

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12288, 10 April 1918, Page 6

PATRIOTIC FUND,

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE.

'11(0 executive committee of Hie Canterbury Partriotic Fund met this afternoon, tho .Mayor presiding over a fair attendance of members. TROOPS IN PALESTINE.

Tlte Marlborough Patriotic Association wrote forwarding a copy of a letter (rout Lieutenant-Colonel Findlay, Commanding the Canterbury .Mounted Rifles in Palestine. The letter returned thanks for grants from tho association. and gave an out line of expenditure. Tito letter was received.

SOLDIERS’ FUNERAL EXPENSES. The Director of Rase Records wrote stating that tho Defence .Department had extended the period during which the Department would ho responsible for a soldier’s funeral expenses from six months to twelve months from date of discharge. The letter was received DESERTERS’ DEPENDENTS. The Advisory Hoard wrote covering a copy of a resolution affirming that as a general principle no relief should be given to the dependents of deserters and soldiers imprisoned for military or civil offences, district committees to have discretion to make allowances in cases of hardship. The letter was received. REGIMENTAL FUND. The Advisory Board wrote appealing for assistance in the establishment of a common Regimental Fund of £15,000. It was decided to defer consideration of this appeal until next meeting. CITIZENS’ DEFENCE CORPS. Tlte Citizens’ Defence Corps wrote enclosing a copy of a linancial statement covering the operations of the corps from April 30. 1015, to October 31, 1917. audited by the GovernmentAuditor, and offering to supply further information to any member interested. It was decided to have copies of the statement supplied to each member, consideration being deferred till nexv meeting. COUNTY COUNCILS. The Waimairi County Council wrote promising to pay the balance of its grant, £ISOO, shortly after March 31. The Rangiora County Council wrote stating that efforts were being made lo collect outstanding subscriptions, the balance duo bv the council being £330 12s Id. The secretary reported that all county council balances were now accounted for, the Kowhai County Council having paid its balance of £-125. The letters were received, and satisfaction was expressed at the position. ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

Mr E. Nordon expressed the opinion that Mr R. T. Tosswill, lato secretary of the fund, should have received recognition when Orders of the British Empire were awarded, and that Mill. R. Smith, who was treasurer foi; no fewei than eighteen funds, should also have been honoured. He asked the chairman if ho could throw any light on the reason for these two gentlemen being overlooked. The chairman said be knew nothing about the matter. Ho had not been consulted in regard to recommendations. APPLI CATIONS COMMITTEE. The report of the Applications Committee, dealing with individual grants and loans from tho fund, was adopted. FINANCIAL. Tho financial statement showed receipts tip to March 31 last amounting to £190,719 8s Bd, an expenditure of £46,920 is and a credit balance of £143,799 7s Bd. The statement was adopted. SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES. The Adequacy of the Fund Committee reported at considerable length on the question of the establishment of scholarships and bursaries for soldiers’ children. Tho committee was of opinion that if. would bo better, in place of establishing specific scholarships, to assist deserving cases which the existing scholarships and bursaries failed to roach. It was recommended that" tin* study of home science, industry and agriculture should bo especially c’iicouraged. In deserving eases ‘bursaries should he extended to enable pupils to avail themselves of the advanced courses in home science and domestic art at Otago University. The committee recommended that bursaries should bo made available, covering whole or part of the charges for books and incidentals. tuition fees, hostel charges, boarding allowances and home allowances, at technical classes, technical high schools, public secondary schools, district high fchools, agricultural colleges and university classes. It was recommended further that the committee should he empowered to award bursaries of a total value of £IOOO, not more than £SOO of this to be allotted for first year’s payments and tho balance for subsequent years. The report was presented by Mr ,T. C. Prudhoo, who explained at length the reasons which had actuated the committee in making its recommendations. i

Tho recommendations wore adopted, and the committee was authorised <o have the regulations printed, and to take the necessary steps to give publicity to the same, and to ask for the co-operation of the heads of all public schools and colleges in reporting deserving cases.

Ju reply to a question by Mr F. Horrell, Mr Prudhoe stated that the report confined the benefits to the sous and daughters of soldiers. Mr S. A. Staples advocated that the benefits should apply generally to dependents of soldiers. Mr Prudhoe gave an assurance that, the committee would consider the matter at once, and report later if necessary. Members complimented Mr Prudhoe on the very full and comprehensive report which he had prepared on the subject, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the committee for its work. HOMEBROCK ESTATE. The chairman gave notice of his in. tention to move at next meeting that a 3am of money should be placed at the disposal of the Agricultural and Farming Committee for the administration of the Homehrook Estate in the interests of tho training vf returned soldiers. Tho meeting then adjourned till May S, the date of the annual meeting.