WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 100, 22 January 1919, Page 8

WAR RELIEF ASSOCIATION

LARGE INCREASE hV APPLICATIONS.

Tho executive of the Wellington War Relief Association met yesterday afternoon. Mr. L. O.'H. Tripp presided. The report of the Finance Committee showed that the total funds on December 31 stood at £72,001. The income for December was £494 13s. 3d., and the expenditure £721 10s. sd. The association's- investments totalled £72,007. The imprest account showed a debit-balance of'£l3l.

.The.report presented by'the Applications .Committee indicated that tho number of applications, coming before that body is in these times greatly increasing. The_ report read as follows :— _ "l'he_ committee met on seven occasions since last meeting of tho executive, and dealt with 259' applications; The claims presented to the committee ■during, the last two months number 544, but 57. otherß were received during, the latter portion of that period, and, owing to the epidemic and the intervention of the Christmas holidays, are not yet completed. The 'aggregate of 601 establishes a record. In the course of the last two weeks 82 new applications have been made, an increase of 50 per cent, over last year's weekly average. This, of course, is attributable to the heavy, drafts of men recently returned, to tho Dominion, and is an indication of the great increase thnt will occur in the work of the committee during the next twelve or eighteen months. "The diverse nature of assistance asked for shows'no sign of abatement, and claims from men who have served with the 'Canadian,■ Australian',- and Imperial Forces-are still increasing in number. In view of the rapid i demobilisation occurring in England it is anticipated there will bo an exceedingly heavy increase in claims from ex-Im-perial soldiers,-many hundreds of whom will, desire to commence life afresh in a' new country of which' they will have heard so much.' Many of these men will arrive here financially exhausted, and will naturally come to us for help."

One of the sections of the Dannevirke show which showed the greatest increase in strength last year was that dovoted to the dogs. This is due to the efforts of the Dnnnoyirke Kennel Club, who are again to the foro in connection with this year's show. The New Zealand Kennel Club, recognising the advance made, has given further encouragement by allotting eleven challenge classes to tho setJion, so that owners of dogs in outside districts have every inducement r.o compete. 'Apart from the liberal prize list throughout, there nrn several' splendid specials—Jlr. I. N. Hrons's six-guinea challenge cup for working.sheep dogs; Jlr. J. H. Fiiirhurst's ten-guinea challenge cup trophy for bulldogs; also the same donor's five-guinea challenge shield for fox terriers; while the Dan-, nevirko Kennel Club is donating n live-guinea challenge cup for setters. The judge will be Mr. J. Soler. All information can be obtained from Mr. F, C. .'Stubbs, Ward Street, Da'pheyirke. >■ ■