WANGANUI PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 14746, 27 October 1915, Page 6

WANGANUI PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

There was a large attendance at the usual weekly meeting of the above yesterday afternoon, the chairman (Mr T. B. Williams) presiding.

BALANCES.—The balances were shown as under:—N.Z. Ex. Force Fund, £3O-5s 8d; British Food Fund. £135 4s Sd; Belgian Fund, £BIO 9s 9d ; Regimental Fund, £7 14s Id; Red ( ‘ross Fund. £904 17s 7d ; Hosoital Ship, £1545 11s 3d: Smokes Fund, £lB 13s; Contingency Fund, £2173 7s 5d ; Xmas Comforts. £64 10s 3d ; Vest Fund, £3; Servian Fund, £llO 10s; N.Z. Wounded. £2668 10s 2d. Total, £8462 13s lOd. WAVER LEY.—A letter was received from the Waverlev Patriotic Committee intimating the decision of the Committee to co-ooerate with the Wanganui Committee in the patriotic carnival.

SALVATION ARMY.—A letter was read from Adjutant Whiten, of the Salvation Army, appealing to the Committee for a donation of £250 in aid of the erection and equipment of halls at Trenthara. May Morn, and Avondale, estimated td'-rost £2OOO. The letter mentioned that £llO was being spent at Trenthaui, and work was being done by the Array at all the other camps.—Adjutants Winton and Dixon waited upon the Committee in support of the request, which was agreed to unanimously, several members speaking enthusiastically of the excellent work done bv tho Salvation Army* organisations. RED CROSS WORK—Mr J. Brine, representing the local Rfd Cross Society, explained that a special appeal was being made by the British Red Cross organisation at Home, for further funds, and be asked that the Wdnganui Patriotic Committee supplement 'the amount collected in the streets on Saturday last (£345.) —It was decided to make tho sum ur> to £SOO.

UNCERTIFTCATED NURSES—An application was received from the local branch of the St. John Ambulance Association, to increase the grant of CSO made at last meeting to £2OO, to provide for the equipment of a party of the Association’s senior nurses who were being sent Home for service.—The following letter was also read from the Hon. J. Allen:—‘‘Wellington. October U). Secretary, Wanganui Patriotic Committee. Dear Sir,—l am informed that Miss Ada Ballantvne lias not yet left for Egypt, and I desire to know' whether you still wish the cheque for £IOO to he forwarded on her account to the officer commanding the base at Alexandria. I ask this because we. are informed that only trained, registered nurses are required in Egypt. Some time ago I communicated with the. authorities there, and they informed me that it would not In' wise to send any other than trained nurses. It appears that the bulk of tho hospital work is amply provided for bv local labour, which is easily obtained, and that difficulties would arise if ladies were sent from 1 New Zealand for other purposes than actual nursing.”—Mr Mr Hone Gibbons explained that tho letter from the Minister referred to nurses in Egypt, whereas tho application from the local St. John Ambulance Association was for sendee in England.— Mr Allison said tho probationers would be attached to the English Army Service. He in view of this, the Committee would be doing sufficient were they to provide the equipment required —The Mayor (Mr C. E. Mackav) stated that as a result of a conversation with the superintendent of the Tyser line he believed that qpmpany would provide a free passage Home for the nurses.—Several members stated that there were thousands of Red Cross workers at Home available for service.— It was resolved"to apply to the superintendent of the Tyser Line Company for free passages for the nurses. THANKS.—Mr Keeaing reported that 530 winter vests had been made up for the hoys at the front from the sheepskins provided. The whole or the work had been done free of cost bv Mr T. E, Thomas, and it had , involved the ein"lovment of four members of his staff for a considerable time.—A hearty vote of thanks was unanimously accorded Mr Thomas for his practical patriotism. AOTEA HOME.—Mr Hope Gibbons reported that a cable had been receiver) from Cairo List week sitting that 25 beds were insufficient, and there was urgent necessity for a hundred or more. Permission- was asked to extend to that extent.—Mr Gih|>ons stated that tho New Zealand executive of the Aotea Rome /which Included representatives from Masterton, Palmerston, and Wanganui, with Mr James Macintosh, of Wellington, and Mr Foster, of the Wellington Meat Co.), had replied authorising the proposed extension.