RETURNED SOLDIERS' CLUB

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 33, 2 November 1918, Page 4

RETURNED SOLDIERS' CLUB

AN APPEAL FOR FUNDS . £2000 WANTED i X meeting of those interested in helping the appeal which is to bo made shortly to raise the sum of .£2OOO for the benefit of the Returned .Soldiers' Associntiun Club was held in the club yesterday afternoon. There was a good attendanco of citizens, and the Mayor (Sir. J. 1 , . Luke) presided. Before beginning the business of the meeting Mr. Luke referred to the good news that iiad been received thai day of the surrender of Turkey, and said that: there was no institution, no organisation, that had a greater interest in what had juet transpired than the Keturned Soldiers' Club. Some of the members who were present iimong them that nfternoon had tought in the Gallipoli campaign, and it must be a soui'ce of pride and pleasure that the end for which they had fought and for which many had fallen had at last been accomplished. They had played ihe game, and the fruit of their sacrifices was to bo Been in the great event that had come to pass within the past few days. Mr. Luke subsequently explained that it was proposed to raise tho sum of J22000. The association had held back from making its appeal before on account of the appeals of other patriotic bodies; but the time had now arrived when it was desirable- to mako theirs. There were many calls upon the people, but .the institution was held in such high favour by those who know its worth that he felt confident they would meet'with very hearty support. It was proposed to set aside two cluys for the appeal, one day for collecting and the next for a sports gathering in the Basin Koserve. Mr. Luke then called upon Mr. Harper to explain wliathad been done sinc<j the previous meeting. In outlining matters in this connection Mr. Harper said that'a suggestion had' been made that the various patriotic bodies be asked to give a week of their activities in assisting the appeal. It was found, however, that there were certain difficulties in the path, as the constitution of most of the organisations prevented them as- organisations from working for other bodies or giving their funds for other purposes. As individuals, however, they would be most happy to assist. At a meeting held in tho 'Mayor's room two suggestions had been made, ono that a shilling-card collection scheme be instituted, and the other that a Petticoat Lane be organised. It was not. a large amount they were asking for. The club carried out a very useful work, and, speaking as one who was intimately associated with it, he could speak of its value to the returned soldiers.

Mr. A. Gray, K.C., also epoke of the value of the club to returned eoldiers, and outlined'its operations. and aims. The rent was a considerable item in its expenses, although they were much indebted to Mr. Hamilton Gilmer, who, as part-owner in the lease of the building, had forgone his share of the rent, amounting for the whole term to i>l2oo. The lease expired next August, aud they were negotiating to extend it for a further eighteen month's. He hoped that all the doicliers would have returned by then, and that the necessity for tho chili would have passed. Mr. Stott gave further details of the proposals. There were at least 80,000 people in Wellington, and if, shilling* collection cards ' were instituted he thought thero would be no difficulty in getting tho amount lie wished. As for Petticoat Lano it was really a jumbie sale,or fair, aud he considered it might ■ bring ir> a good sum. | Mr. Marcus Marks, sneaking on behalf of the Savage Club, said that they were very pleased to help in the appeal as individuals, but could not as an organisation. Ho considered thnt a club for re-, turned soldiers in Wellington was more necessary than'in any other town, us it was really a distributing centre, eoldiers arriving here and continuing thenjourney to other places. The actual expenses of running the club were about jEIOO a month, and (he committee very carefully scrutinised every iter,i. no thought thnt the shilling collection fund was an excellent idea, also that, of a good concert or entertainment, which had been proposed. , Mr. Xuke moved 'hat in connection with the appeal they feature the shilling collection cards. Mi's. Massey seconded the motion,- and said that she and -Mrs. Hall were there representing the Sydney Street Soldiers' Club, to show their regard and interest in Hie Returned Soldiers' Club. The returned soldiers _necded their club, and the Sydney Street committee were ready to do all that was in their power to help, 'flic motion was carried, it being pointed out at the sain* time that eubseriptitffl-s need not be lira. ited to ft shilling only. ; It was proposed that on the day cf the Petticoat Eime ;i street flower day should bo held. This was loft to the ladies' committee to deal with, this oommittee consisting of the following.—Mrs. Luke (president), Mesdames Massey and Hall (representing the Sydney Street Soldiers Club), Mesdames A. Crawford, Stott, L. O, H. Tripp, nnd Murphy (the Liverpool Tund), Mrs. Rose (Roil Cross, Mercer •Street) Mrs. Martin (Navy league Midies' Auxiliary), Mrs. Preston (St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas), Mrs. A. Gray. Miss Eileen Stevens, Miss K. Lawson (Y.W.CA.), Mrs. Boden (Returned Soldiers' Hostel), Mrs. Gethin Hughes, Mrs. Batten, Mrs.. Hymns, nnd Mts. Spotteswood. Apologies for absence were, received from "Sirs. Hall-Thompson, who cave assurance «f tlic help nnd interest individually of Auxiliary members, Mrs.. Corlif*. who promised tho assistance of the W.N.R.. Mrs. Scales (Hutt), who sent word that the Hutt ladies . would help Mr. J. M'Tntosh, nnd Mr. Wilson (of the combined sports bodies). Mr B Keesinsr, who represented Mr. Wilson, said thnt the sports bodies hart, put off their effort for voif-ng funds for the Soldiers' Christmas Gift. Fund, and would heln the returned soldiers , appeal. Mr D Seymour, on behalf o{ the ninunjTem'enf.'nf'rhe returned soldiers' pnpe'r, "Quick March," offered an unlimited number of the paper at cost price, to Ijj sold on the appeal days for the benefit of the fund.

Mies Rothenbere, lion, librarian of the Soldiers' Club, ncknnwledges with thanks literature for the club, for soldiers nnd nurses' libraries, and for th« transports from Mesdames T,! Blundell. Badney-Wil-linms. Castle. HI Kirltcaldie, Yaldwyn, Toogood. HnjTs, Balmor M'Lellan. Monrhousp' Kemythorne. Putnam, M'ltenzio, and Hunter. Misses Brisjht and Balmer, Messrs. Cruickshank and Yoiinsj. Pioneer Chib Women's Anti-German League fner Mrs ' Moore), Terrace School (per Mr. Macinorraii). "Evening Post" (per Messrs. Hnll and Kecves). and several anonymous donors. Miss Rothenbqre continues to receive letters of appreciation from officers nnd chaplains of transports for reading matter placed on board. .