WOMAN'S WORLD

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 310, 25 September 1918, Page 3

WOMAN'S WORLD

PATIUOTIC WORK MEETING OF MAYOR'S COMMITTEE. One of the little side-lines in patriotic work is that undertaken by the Mayor's Patriotic Committee, which hociy, in combination with the Mayoress's Committee, sees that every transport or hospital ship with returned soldiers is met and the men are put in the way of reaching their homes or destinations as promptly and comfortably as possible. Another voluntary duty of the committee is to place a quantity of fresh fruit on each outgoing transport, and also to entertain at the Town Hall the men in uniform who are in town. The annual meeting of the Mayor's Committee was held yesterday, His Worship (Mr. J. P. Luke) presiding. Apologies for .'onattendance were received from the Hon. J. 6. W. Aitken, Messrs. James Macintosh, G. R. Smith, and C. G, Wilson. In presenting the annual statement of accounts, Me Mayor said that in the last twelvb months a great manj soldiers had passed through the city, The committee, he thought, was to be congratulated on the work it had done, The Mayor, acting with the committee, had (with one exception) been able tc meet every boat or train which brought returned soldiers to Wellington, in which' work he .had co-operated with .the Mayoress and her committee. He was happy to say their efforts had been highly appreciated by the men. The Saturday night dances had been s great success. The first dance was held on the Saturday succeeding the ( o'clock- closing of hotels, and the dances had been earned on ever since, with only one break (Easter Saturday), Those Saturday dances for soldiers had not been set aside for any organisation, The men deserved and appreciated the hospitality offered them, and they were not going to be brushed aside for any other consideration. It was not unusual to see between 400 and 500 soldiers and their lady friends having a really happy time on Saturday evenings. In connection with these dances he wished especially to thank Mr. H. Seaton and Mr. C. G. Wilson for the assistance given him, and the Mayoress and her Ladiee' Committee, who eo whole-heartedly co-operated. So well conducted were these dances that they had never yet had to expel a soldier, which was a splendid testimony to the spirit in which the men set out to enjoy themselves. He had never seen any conduct but what was gentlemanly. Ho wanted to say that in common justice to the whole of the men who had passed through the Town Hall Saturday after Saturday. In the accounts they would see that a good deal of money had been spent on taxi hire. That was incurred before the Volunteer Motor Corps waa organised. Expenditure under that •heading had now reached the vanishing point, owing to the establishment of the V.M.C., which was doing splendid work. The Mayor also referred to the good work done by Mr. J. R. Palmer as treasurer. Tlio financial statement for the year showed a credit of £401 14s. 2d. on March 31 last. Since then Chaplain Reed had handed back an unexpended balance of £38 4s. 10d., making a credit at date of £439 19s. Since then liabilities amounting to £205 had beon paid, so the credit on September 21 stood at £234 19s. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. Seaton, the balancesheet was adopted. The chairman made a feeling reference to the death of a member of the committee, the lato Mr. Robert Fletcher, who, as a member of the Harbour Board, had been very helpful to the committee. A vote of condolence was passed, which ie to be forwarded to Mrs. Fletcher in due course. Wellington R6tl Cross Shop, Towards Christmas time there is to be an uncommon way of raising money for the Rod Cross in connection with the shop, and already a start has beon made. The ehildrou of the Terracos are arranging for a toy. day, in which bran tubs, fairy caves, and Father Christmas will play important parts. Those who give joy to the young in buying Christmas toys will have an opportunity of buying all they want at the shop, and in doing so will help on ■Rod Cross work. Early in October Mrs. M'Maimway is taking the sOiop for a Red Cross Day, and a great deal of thought and work is being spent in its preparation. This lady excels in hand-mado needlework and embroideries, and lias done much for patriotic efforts, and sho is now devoting'her time to a shop flay. Many friends are giving her oncouragenient and help, so that besides attractive and useful needlework there will be produce of sll kinds for sale. On Friday next the Khandsjlliih Women's National Keservn will be in. charge, and will have an attractive supply of home-made cakes, flowers, and sweets. > Thp Karori Croquet Club will begin tho season at lvarori I'ark tons aneriioou. Tno opening ceremony will take place at U.&J. A New' Zealand iiurso, writing from London under (lute July 29, s.iys: "Wu are very strictly rationed now. \Vo cannot uuy meat, butter, tea, or sugar witnuut coupons. We each have our sii'rar boxos) which we put out each day ami receive oiir J.soz. ration. Already i iiavo saved ni tnree months enougii to make a small tin of totfee. It is very rarely tot we can buy sveots— moat swom shops are clused. Chocolates, if procurable, ah> 4s. per lb. Fruit, with tne exception of oranges I and cherries, is unobtainable. The Uovetnmont ha 3 commandeered all fruit for jam for the Army. Oranges are sa. each, and aro only about tne sisse or a small egg. Cherries are 3s. Cd. per lb., iind bananas ud. each—when wo oan get them. Peaches are 3s. each. It , would surprise you if I told you some . of the prices. Bacon and ham are not rationed now. We are getting a supply from America. The oard system or ration book has dono away with queues, and rich and poor are served alike. It is much better for the poor. We i get plenty'.of plain food. For a ' short time we only had tea once daily.