RIFT HEALED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 81, 15 June 1943, Page 5

RIFT HEALED

TANEATUA PATRIOTIC AFFAIRS

OLD COMMITTEE "ACCEPTS OFFICE

The unfortunate rift which oc--curred in the hardworking Taneatua Patriotic Committee, due

almost entirely to misunderstanding, has been now terminated by the decision of the original executive to accept office and carry on under mutual agreement with the local Sol- • diers Farewell Committee. Taneatua is well known throughout this district as the centre which has always in the past given the -lead to other communities by its vigorous and progressive example. General satisfaction will be felt at the harmonious outcome of what promised to be at one time a serious break. At the annual meeting held recently, the president, Mr A. Mc--Gougan, gave a comprehensive re..port on the year's activities. RcN -viewing the earlier history of the -committee. Mr McGougan said:. "The First Echelon was farcAvelled by the Red Cross Committee but as an effort of this sort was contrary to the? . rules of the Society, u public meeting was advertised to deal with future farewells. The resulting attendance was very poor, only members of the Red Cross Society being . present. Earlier Activities The Society 11.'n approached the % 'executive ol' the Patriotic Comnnl•tee and asked them to carry on. This request was accepted to and the ladies on the executive, Mesdames Hiil, Bennett and Semmens ■were appointed on Farewell Com* Jiiittees, and were, assisted by the JLadies Committee. This meeting took place on July 29, 194.0, and the •existing arrangements were carricd •out until April 30, 1942. The situation in the Pacific then became, so grave troops Ave re being

sent overseas at a moment's notice, petrol restrictions were being enforced and the public were not attending the farewells. It became expedient to curtail activities in this -direction and farewells were discontinued. But each man was presented -with a diary. Up to the end of .April 194.1, fifty-two men received a wallet containing 30s at a cost of . £105 Cs. Quotas More Than Met Regarding our quota, our first in 1940 was only £280. Later the}' in- • ercascd so that at iirst the burden seemed too heavy, but in 1941 we raised £450, 1942 £1100 10s Id and 3943 £708 4s lid a total amount of £2498 15s id. Over and above this amount the sum of £333 14s 5d stands to our crcdit. Gymkhana Nets £400 A co',lection wa.s not necessary to -raise our 194.3 quota. For this special thanks are due to the Gymkhana Committee for the excellent result of their day which netted £401 lis Gd. This was helped forward by a • donation from the Ladies Committee of £300 and tlie school children's effort which brought in £41 3s lid. The success of the Gymkhana was due to the »splendid co-operation and .unflagging enthusiasm of the general public. it was felt by the executive that an affair of this sort was too big for the committer; to handle alone, and a public meeting was called to discuss the matter. The response was excellent and subcommitees were formed. Every nian, woman and child in the district helped by their generosity and practical assistance to make the day an outstanding success. Thanks to Maoris To the Maoris who spent so much .time and effort on the liangL and stall, 1 extend my heart felt thanks. X wish to especially thank Mr J. Moody for he generosity he ex ten d.ed to us in allowing us to hold the Gymkhana on his property, lit was .ail ideal locality and contributed -considerably to the Success of the day.

I feel that I cannot leave off ice without voicing my appreciation of the help that I have- received from the Executive Committee the General Committee and the public in a very special way. While fully recognising the splendid support from the men, 1 wish to pay special tribute to the ladies. The ladies of the district have, been a wonderful help to the Patriotic activities in Tanc.atua. To the ladies who have been (Continued in next column)

members of the executive committee I sa}\" thank you. i'or the time that you have given so unselfishly. To all ladies who have conducted the Patriotic shop I tender my most sincerc thanks. To Mr Alexander I extend hearty congratulations and thanks i'or the waj* in which lie lias discharged the office of secretary, A good secretary is a great asset to a committee and I feci that in Mr Alexander we have had a secretary of outstanding ability. Reports were, also read by Mrs Hill (Interzone Delegate), M-rs Hill (Ladies Committee) and Mrs Grey (Ladies Committee Balance Sheet).

Committees Resignation Mr McGougan then said that he wished to intimate that he understood that the resignations from the general committee of most of those who have been members of the executive was in the hands of the secretary, and also his own resignation as i)resident. He would therelore ask the meeting to appoint a chairman to continue the general business and election of president and the various committees. By unanimous vote Mr J. L. Burnett, Zone Chairman, was appointed to the chair and invited nominations. A number, of names were forthcoming but as all those nominated refused to take office the meeting speedily reached a state of deadlock. Mr Burnett then gave it as liis ruling that until such time as a new committee was appointed the old one was still legally responsible, for the conduct of Patriotic affairs. Before the meeting adjourned Mr Mead, moved a hearty vote of thanks to the ex-chairman, Mr A. MsGougan, for his work and interest in the committees behalf. Subsequent Meeting Old members reinstated at a meeting of the original executive members- the whole position was fully discussed. It was finally decided to re-accept office and to incorporate the Farewell Committee as a sub-

organisation working upon mutually agreed-upon lines. In this manner it is hoped to overcome, all difficulties which June led to misunderstandings in the past.