CHARD BENEFIT

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 3034, 17 March 1923, Page 5

CHARD BENEFIT

PUBLIC MEETING AT CAMBRIDGE

A SPLENDID EESPONSE

True to its reputation, for always making a genqrous response to any apvs>eal for assistance in cases of distress, ihe Cambridge people mustered in force at the public meeting convened by the J&ayor,, Ml last night at the Oddfellows' Hall, for the purpose of taking steps to assist the wife and family of the late Mr Thos. Chard, who was the victim: of a sad drowning accident in Mk Waikato river last Tuesday night. Thepf was a representative attendance Of about one hundred persons. Mr S. Lewis (the Mayor), who occu-

pied the chair, briefly related the cir-

cumstances that led to the meeting bex ing called, and said that Mrs Chard was left with six little children, whose ages ranged from nine years down to a little more than a year, with still another yet unborn. We should thank Providence, said Mr Lewis, that we lived kn a country where the widow and the fatherless were provided for by the State, but even so, this poor woman •was in a most unfortunate state. Years must elapse before she could have any earning capacity whatever, and the people of Cambridge and district could not allow the reproach to be made that they had not provided for this unfortunate widow and family. Mr Lewis here stated that already a number of people had offered generous donations to assist in this case. He also read letters from Messrs D. E. Caldwell (Auckland), Griffith Jones, E. Patterson (representing Innes and Co.) .and Kcv. Mortimer-Jones, expressing regret, at being, unable to attend the meeting, but offering their assistance in any way possible, and forwarding donations. In his letter the Vicar (Eev. Mortimer-Jones) said he had wreat admiration for a man like the deceased, who, though exposed to continual temptation, lived a clean, sober life, and had proved a good husband and father. Proposed Scheme Mr Lewis said he endorsed the .Vicar's remarks in his "most human letter." He also pointed out that from the broad State point of view, the late Mr Chard had done his duty well. He had done his part by .having a large f arftily, and it was for the public to see that these should not want. The speak- ) er went on to say that he had considered this matter very carefully, and had'come to the conclusion that the wisest thing for the public to do was to endeavour to raise, say £SOO to £OOO, and purchase a home for Mrs Chard, and, if possible, add a small sum to help as-..we11. With the State aid, she would then*be able to struggle on. Dr/&iapley, who was called on by the chairman, said he knew deceased anfl his family. They were decent, honest people ,and the children were well cared for.' Dr Stapley said the question of big families was an important one to the State. He as a doctor knew the trouble that was caused by restricting the size of families—a question on which much might be said. With reference\to the-scheme suggested by Mr Lewis, the speaker thought it a wise one, and could not be bettered. On the motion of the Mayor, seconded by Dr Stapley, it was unanirhously resolved that subscription lists be opomed throughout/the district with the object of assisting the widow and family of, the late Mr T. Chard. Generous Response

A list was opened in the room and donations poured in, a sum of considerably over £2OO being promised by those present. Trustees and Committee It was resolved that the money collected be vested in three trustees, and the Mayor of Cambridge, chairman of Leamington Town Board and Mr S. Lewis were ; duly appointed to act in that capacity. The following committee was set up, to canvass for subscriptions, and take the whole matter in hand, viz.:—Messrs D. Gongalton, S. Holmes, A. D. ,Sayers, A. H. Gascoigne, V. Cornaga, sen., T. A. Hicks, Bridge, W. Harbutt, V. Cornaga, ,E. N. Souter, McAscy, J. S. Fisher, B. Grinder, H. W. Mackeretk, M. Butler, D. Lundon, E. J. Buttimore, C. H. Priestley, W. Stopford, Morgan, . the three trustees of .the fund, secretary of the Hotel and Restaurant Employers' Union, with power to add to their number. Messrs A. D. Hawkesby and N. Willis wore elected hon. secretary and treasurer respectively. Miscellaneous They Chairman announced that Messrs L.-IVL .Morrin and Alf. Boyce wore prepared to give a combined picture -and concert programmo in aid of the, fund. Mr J. W. Boyce, of the M.A.C. mart, had offered to conduct a special auction sale en a given afternoon, of any gifts that might be sent along to him for sale. Mr N. Hill made a similar offer to the j.above. It was stated that the Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union .-would make j a levy of 1/ per member, and t'hia

would help swell the fund, as there were some 3000 members in the Domin-

The Mayor intimated that, provided a sum of at least £SOO was raised, he knew of a source whereby he could secure another £IOO.

It was requested that all promised donations be paid in to either the secretary or treasurer; also that, all subscriptions promised be acknowledged through the columns of the Waikato Independent. In closing a splendid meeting the chairman said he was proud of his position of Mayor of a borough that had made such a generous response to the appeal. SUBSCRIPTION LIST A SPLENDID START The following subscriptions have already been promised for the fund for the relief of the widow and family of the late Mr Thos. Chard, who was drowned'in the Waikato river on 13th March. All subscriptions received will be acknowledged through these columns: — .

£ s. d. Lewis and Dallimore 10 10 0 Geo. Calvert 10 10 0 E. 2T. Soutcr 10 10 0 Bycroft Bros. 10 10 ,„ 0 A. H. Gascnigne 10 10 0 S.P.N.D. Ltd. 10 10 0 G. E. Clark and ,Son 10 10 0 D. B. Caldwell (Auck.) 10 0 0 Sayers and Ward (•) (5 0 Frank Pcnn 5 5 0 Walter Stopford \ 5 5 0 Dr Staplcy . 5 5 0 C. H. Priestley 5 5 0 D. J. Lundou 5 5 0 S. Holmes 5 5 0 A. Wilkinson 5 5 0 G. G. L. Taylor 5 5 0 Albert Harris 5 5 0 Major Samuel( Auck.) 5 0 0 T. Smith (Auck.) 5 0 0 A. Underwood (Auck.) ,5 0 0 D. Congalton 5 0 0 Alf. Boyce 3 3 0 F. Tucker 3 3 0 H. Lewis 3 3 0 W. Muller o 3 0 T. H. Kelly 3 3 0 A. B. Boyce <j 3 0 A. B. Hodgson 2 2 0 F. Pender 2 2 0 T. A. Hicks o 2 0 H. Bishop 2 2 0 «T. S. Fisher 2 2 0 N. Edge : 2 2 0 B. Wells 2 2 0 W. Miller o a ■ 2 0 fi. Shaw 2 2 0 0. Gane , o , 2 0 G. H. Bellamy ■ 2 2 0 W. Wilkinson 2 2 0 H. W. Cogaii 2 2 0 , N^HUl 2 2 0 Eev. Mortimer-Jones 2 2 0 H, E. Ollard ■'2 2 0 C. Boyee, senr. 2 0 0 W. R. Edwards x 1 1 0 A. D. Hawkesby 1 1 0 D. Mackay 1 1 0 G. F. Hill 1 a o J. Honcybun 1 1 0 C. Boyce 1 1 0 F. Kean 1 1 0 J. F. Cleary 1 1 0 V. Grinder 1 1 0 F. Lowndes 1 1 0 W. Webber 1 1 0 F. O'Toole 1 1 0 G. Drew ■ ., 1 l' 0 D. Anderson 1 i o M. J. Gill 1 1 0 Jackson 1 1 0 A. Fitzgerald 1 1 0 C. Hicks 1 1 0 G. W. Hicks 1 1 r 0 W. H. Reed 1 1 *0 C. Miller 1 1 0 H. Cubis 1 1 0 J. Cole 1 1 0 D. Mcintosh 1 1 0 McMillan (Duncdin) 1 0 0 H. C. Eobson 1 0 0 H. W. Smalcs 10 0 Eusso, senr. , 10 0 F. Broughton 10 0 W. Eoberts Total 10 0 £240 14 0