PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume L, Issue 15026, 25 September 1916, Page 7

PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

The usual' fortnightly meeting of the Wauganui-Waitotara Patriotic Association was held this afternoon, Mr T. B. Williams presiding. There were fourteen members in attendance. N.Z. EXPEDITIONAKY FORCES. —Mr C. J. Wray wrote stating that was now attached to the staff of the Jligh Commissioner in London and was in charge of the war work of the Department- Mr Wray mentioned that Sir Thomas Mackenzie purposed issuing a fortnightly chronicle of the doings of the War Contingent Association, which would contain all sorts of items interesting to relatives and friends of men in tne N.Z. Expeditionary Force. DONAT'ION.—A vote of thanks was passed to Mr N. Meuli for fixing up the new committee rooms free < f charge. AOTEA HOME.—A vote of £250 was passed to the Aotea Convalescent Home in Egypt. Y.M.C-A.—A copy of a letter was road from the field secretary of the Y.M.C.A., who had interviewer! General Russell, and who heartily) concurred with the suggestions made regarding trench work. The writer said that all agreed that in no way could money be more profitably expended than by providing a few extras in the way of eatables, to vary the sameness of the daily rations. The parcels forwarded included one containing r» piece of chocolate, a tin of meat paste, and six cigarettes. In addition ample supplies of postcards and writing materials had been forwarded through the i.gciicy of the Y.M-O.A. GRANTS?—-The loans and grants committee reported that seven loans and three grants had been voted to returned soldiers during the fortnight, and weekly grants had been made in other cases to families of soldiers. finance committee reported that the Association was paying out about £2OOO per annum above interest income. The sum of £12,000 had been loaned to the Borough Council at 6 per cent., £20,000 had been invested in war loans, and there were in hand promises to pay to the extent of £21,285, in addition to two motor-cars, motor-canoe, and a motor-boat. LANDS.—The lands committee reported that they were helping applicants for land to get the fullest possible financial assistance from the Government, and the Association decided to grant assistance in financing soldiers’ sections up to £IOO if necessary. It was resolved to meet at 2,30 in future on alternate Mondays.