HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2466, 20 May 1915, Page 8

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

•from Our Special Correspondents I The Lower Hutt Borough Council! Chambers were crowded last evening when a meeting was held to discuss the ciuestion of establishing a fund for tlie benefit of the New Zealand wounded soldiers, and to consider the candidature of the Hutt and Petone representative for tlie Carnival Queen. The Mayor (Mr. H. Baldwin) presided. Dr. Mason addressed tlie gathering, urging an effort of self-sacrifice for those who wore suffering as a result of the war, and moved the following: "That tlie timo has arrived when the people of New Zealand should establish a national fund for the benefit of our wounded soldiers and sailors, and those dependent on them, and also for the benefit of the dependants of the fallen ; it being clearly understood that the establishment of this fund is not in any way to affect the pensions and assistance whicli iho Government will grant."

Mr. D. M'Laren stated that lis believed the amount of £50,000 would bo raised, if tho matter were laid clearly before tlie people. The speaker instanced several cases of self-denial that hayvponed yesterday, _ and Mr. M'Laren expressed Ihe opinion that if that spirit prevailed throughout the ' community tho sum required would ba easily forthcoming. In referring to tho Carnival Queen competition, the speaker stated that yesterday £900 was taken in tickets. Mr. M'Laren concluded his remarks by adding that it was but a measure of our lives we wero asked to give, in return for those who gave the whole of their lives.

Mr. E. P. Bunny stated that if necessary tlie community should give tho last shilling fors uch a cause, and ho felt that Lower Hutt would not be backward in doing its utmost in tliis connection.

The Mayor of Pctone (Mr. J. W. Jl'Ewan) in the course of an address,' stated that the amount raised in l'etono had already readied about' £500. (1/oiitl applause.) The motion was carried with acclamation.

It was dcoidod tliat a general committee should he set up in this connection, and to further the candidature of Miss M. Senior. Sub-eommittces were also appointed to organise entertainments, etc. Mr. D. M. Yeates was appointed secretary and Mr. \V. B. Nirliolson treasurer.

During the. evening Mr. ft. Turner offered to donate the sum of '25 guineas provided five other residents did tlie same.

MEAT FOR THE ARMIES

DOMINION'S TOTAL

THE SUPPLY OF SHIPS

Wo have had the news telegraphed from Sydney that New South Wales lias exported 16,601,000 pounds of meat for the Imperial Army, of a total value of £371,836. The New Zealand export of meat for the same purpose up to *nd including Tuesday last, was a), 184,460 pounds, and the Government paid for this meat £1,553,365. The totals of the various classes of meat were as follow:— Beef, 93,0-55 quarters; mutton, 530,313 carca6ses, lamb, 8'27,4'J0 carcasses. Tho cargoes have been dispatched in 14 steamers, of which three have already arrived at Home. There are three steamers now on tho berth in New Zealand ports. They will sail this month. Tho Prime Minister stated yesterday that the outlook for insulated space was much bettor than it was a few weeks ago, although just at present the space available was very much short of requirements. For June and early July the following thirteen ships would load: —Opawa, Kia Ora, Paparoa, Indrabarah, Tongariro, Athenic, Hemuera, La Blanca, Delphic, Waiwera, C'orinfchic, .ftuahine, and Somerset. "These ships," said Mr. Masse,v, "will very greatly relieve the congestion in the stores, but we could easily fill more than 20 ships now if they were available."