CITIZENS’ DEFENCE CORPS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12404, 23 August 1918, Page 5

CITIZENS’ DEFENCE CORPS.

A USEFUL BODY.

JOie general committee of the Christchurch Citizens’ Defence Corps met mst night in the corps’ rooms. Mr Leorge Harper presided. The chairman said that the rest room tor crippled soldiers had not proved 1 a success because of the lack, of patronage, and it had therefore been closed. Many badly crippled soldiers found a cumcnlty in mounting the stairs to the Returned Soldiers’ Club rooms. On the other hand the Returned Soldiers’ n i w-ii , ljecn T s r .7 prosperous. The v.D.C. had agreed to cary on the club as long as it possibly could, or until such time as the Returned Soldiers’ was able to do so itself. Mr 0. W. Wood gave an account of the work the C.D.C. had accomplished since January. Som e 350 special authorities tor advances of money to resoldiers had been isued. The staff had also dealt with 750 applicators f °r separation allowances, and *OO for financial assistance. It was estimated that some 11,000 letters had been received and dispatched since January. This estimate did not include the dispatch of the 1450 applications for separation allowances and financial assistance. _ The staff of the office also had to issue tickets to returned men for the Public Library, the picture theatres, the tramways aid in. during last race meeting-tile staff issued 1000 passes. At timss the office had been blocked with applicants and applications for race passes had been received from all parts of JS'ew Zealand. _ A good deal of work was also entailed by sending ’ cards, of welcome to th e Canterbury men 1 returning by transports and hospital ships. These cards welcomed the men home arid also invited them to visit the C.D.C. office if in need of help. Mr Wood gave other particulars of the work done by the staff, and moved that a heartv Tote of thanks should be passed to the staff.

This was carried by acclamation. Mr J. M. Mitchell reported 1 that the finances of the C.D.C. were very satisfactory. Mr A. C. Maxwell, reporting with regard to the work of the hospital visiting committee, said that on an average seventy men were visited per Week. A great deal of extra work? would be thrown on the committee when the orthopedic hospital was established. The committee would try to continue the work, but they would need more helpers. Mr J, F. Collins reported on the work of the concert party, which visits the various institutions and give entertainments to the soldiers, , Practically every week a concert party had visited one of the institutions. He had to thank the Automobile Association for the use of the soldiers’ car for the party on every alternate week.. A largo number of papers, books and magazines were also sent to these institutions, to Hanmer and to transports leaving with troops. At present the stocks of reading matter were a bit low. Illustrated papers were also sent to England through the Ladv Liverpool Fund. A vote of thanks to the concert party was passed. Mr Collins said that he also- wished to thank the members of the various theatrical companies who had gencronsly_ given their services towards ,entertainiug the men in hospital.