MONTHLY MEETING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 60, 28 March 1944, Page 4

MONTHLY MEETING

RED CROSS-PATRIOTIC

COMMITTEE-

ACTIVITIES REVTEWKI)

The monthly meeting of the Whakatane Red Cross-Patriotic Committee look place in the- County Coun-> ci 1 Chambers on Tuesday, 1 Ith inst. Mrs \Y. Sullivan was in the chair. Mrs Sullivan reported that the takings lor the catering at. the recent Gymkhana were just over £83, when expenses had been paid it was hoped the Red Cross would benefit by about £0(5. The Paper Mills Dance Committee had also made a donation of the takings of their New Year dance which amounted to £30 5s 4d. Mrs Sullivan also described the lectures and films shown by Major Hutchinson in his recent visit here, and the goods made by men of. the Ravcnsthorpe Convalescent Home, for whom he requested donations of various articles for use in the Occupational Therapy classes. S/M Rice, Sick and Wounded Officer for the area had also visited Whakatane, but lie had unfortunately been caught in the Hood and had not arrived here till alter 7.30, so had not been able to see the men as arranged.. Mrs Winstone had seen S/M Rice next day and he had promised to .supply a list of Sick and Wounded returned to this district so that the Red Cross could keep in touch with them. V.A.D. Mrs Prideaux said'the V.A. D. had still no activities, the loss of their training room was holding them up in all their work, they would be holding a meeting on Monday 20th March. Junior Red Cross. Mrs Winstone reported that the High School Circle had last year raised the money to start a Children's Library at. the Whakatane Hospital and had spent over £10 buying books. The Standard VI Circle (President George Goodall) had raised and donated £8 •is 8d to Prisoner of War parcels. The secretary was instructed to write a letter of congratulation to these Circles. Mrs Sullivan said it had been suggested that a sum of money be donated to the. Auckland Centre which had had serious losses amounting to approximately £7000 in the recent fire. fire. It was moved and carried that a donation of £20 be; made to the Auckland branch. Knitting Circle. Mrs Tiinbs sent in a statement of work despatched during the month which was. as follows: For Joint Council -1 pullovers, 1 long sleeved pullover, 2 starves, 1 balaclava, 8 pairs .socks and for Patriotic 2 pullovers, 2 pairs socks. 2 balaclavas, 8 scarves and 5 pairs mittens. Lady Galway Guild. Mrs Moran said she had more goods ready for despatch, but was waiting for eases to pack them in. Entertainments. Mrs E. Armstrong said there had been two private farewells during the month, one lo Ray Ferry (Air Force) and one to Mrs E. Hogan (W.A.A.F.). Members of tell committee had also helped to prepare the supper at the "smoko" given to returned men on. furlough. Discussion took place re a dance to welcome home the men., Hospital Visiting. Mrs James said she had visited the hospital weekly as usual but there were no men there at present. Mrs James as correspondent to the "Bulletin" had sent in one. report. Comforts Committee. Mrs Shajjley said 100 percels. had been packed —!). r > by the committee and sby the institute. They were .still making hussifs. Shop. Mrs James said the results this month were, disappointing. Mrs A. G. Allan agreed to carry on after this round of streets was completed. A letter was read from American Red Cross, asking if accommodation could be arranged for American soldiers on leave, either in boardinghouses, hotels or private homes.. The letter liad been published in the "Beacon" and a number of persons had offered hospitality. Mrs A. G. Allan offered to take over the arrangements for Americans on leave and her offer was gratefully accepted. A further appeal for help was one from Headquarters asking for boolts and games for the men of the Pacific Forces. Mrs Shapley offered to find someone to take charge of the appeal . Mrs Barry asked for rags for the house to house collection to be made by the Girl Guides on the 23rd inst. Mrs Winstone said she had been asked to bring up the question of the length of meetings as some people wanted to finish earlier. Mrs (Continued in next column)

Sullivan, said she considered -one afternoon a month was very little to give up to the Red Cross and she thought presorts could arrange to give up the afternoon instead of giving the Red Cross meeting the time they could spare from their I shopping. There were many decisj ions to be made and it was not fair to expect the president and secretary to carry the weight of surf* decisions. Others present endorsed and added to Mrs Sullivan's remarks.