WIDE OPERATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23699, 5 October 1940, Page 8

WIDE OPERATIONS

OTAGO PATRIOTIC COUNCIL FIRST TWELVE MONTHS REVIEWED EXTENSIVE AID TO GREAT CAUSE A review of the activities of the Otago Provincial Patriotic Council during the past 12 months has been supplied by the mayor (Mr A. H. Allen), and this gives a" splendid insight into the scope of the organisation and the enthusiasm displayed by the numerous workers. The working headquarters are in the basement of the Town Hall, where every week day one of the many women’s organisations may be found hard at work in its own sphere. As a result substantial quantities of suitable articles have been made or forwarded to national headquarters, Wellington, for transmission to men serving overseas. Without making any invidious distinctions, the Mayor said he would like to mention the services rendered by the Wool Committee the Housewives (Hussifs) Committee, the Gift Parcels Committee, and the Lady Galway Guild Fund. In addition to the Lady Galway Guild workers in the Town Hall depots existed in many localities in the city and suburbs, and the mayoress desired to pay tribute to the army of willing workers who had assisted in the work of reeonditioning the garments packed in 540 eases for shipment overseas. There was still need for further supplies of knitted comforts for our men abroad, said the Mayor. There was plenty of wool available for those willing to knit, and the Women’s Wool Committee appealed to women in the city to increase their knitting during the summer months to fill any gap which might be caused by a slackening in the country following on the rush of seasonal work.

In December last, Mr Allen said, a Services’ Welcome Club was opened in suitable rooms in Moray Place. This club had provided pleasure and refreshment for many a lonely soldier while on leave from duty in camp at Taieri or when visiting the city at such times us on final leave from the northern camps. The club had been conducted by the women’s organisations of the city at their own expense, with the assistance of country friends who had sent in foodstuffs. The Patriotic Executive was deeply grateful to those women who in any degree had assisted in this very fine work. In addition to the Services’ Welcome Club further hospitality was about to be arranged for the large number of Territorials now in training at Forbury and Wingatui, the Mayor stated. Arrangements had been made with the Returned Soldiers’ Association for the loan of its club room in Moray Place and with women of the Territorial Association to dispense refreshments at week-ends at a nominal charge for those who desired it. This service was available to all Territorial soldiers, but especially to the men now in camp from Canterbury, Southland, and other parts of Otago. The result of tho first year’s activities, added the Mayor, must he considered most gratifying.

To September 30, 1940, tho summary of goods forwarded from the Otago Provincial Patriotic Council for shipment overseas was as follows:

Gift Parcels. —March,' CG.3; June, 1,330; September, 2,790; total, 4,785. Knitted Goods.—Balaclavas, 2,03-1 ; gloves, 812 pairs; scarves, 1,081; mittens, 2.220 pairs; pullovers, 102. Hussifs.—Two thousand nine hundred and thirty, and CO pay-book covers. LADY GALWAY GUILD. Five hundred and forty cases of refugee clothing had been packed in Otago for shipment overseas Of this number, 185 cases had been shipped during August, and 250 cases during September, leaving 105 cases ready awaiting shipment. Included were about 20 cases containing over 1.000 pairs of hoots and shoes, all in good order and condition, and (it for immediate wear. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

Financial assistance given from funds

for the welfare of men in camps and overseas had been as follows; Taieri Airport.—Billiards table, £72 10s; Christmas grant, £10 ; sundries, £3 ss; sports gear, £67 2s Gd; total, £152 17s Gd. In addition a further £44 had just been granted for the purchase of sporting material. COMFORTS IN ARMY CAMPS (December to March). -P *

NATIONAL FUND. Tlie following contributions had been made to the National Patriotic Fund Board: Account Regimental Fund.—First and Second Fchclons overseas, £200; sick and wounded appeal, £1,000; fighting services (Y.M.C.A. and S.A.), £3.000. Expenditure on gift parcels to date, over and above donations of goods, £1,728 12s 3d. Relief given to soldiers, discharged soldiers, and dependents, £l3 17s (id. Expenditure in connection with the Services Welcome Club. £IOB IDs lid. Expenditure on hussif contents, £9 15s Id. Purchase of wool for the making of I knit led goods. £BO2 12s oil. I London distress relief fund, £2,350. j

Burnham camp equipment £ ICO s. 0 tl. 0 Otago regimental fund, Burnham camp 100 0 0 Sports gear, Burnham 215 2 0 Loud-speaker, 2nd Echelon 50 8 0 Bagpipes, Otago Scottish, 3rd Echelon S2 17 6 Travelling refreshments, Southland troops 16 11 0 Total £564 IS 6 The sum of £15(3 has also been granted for additional sporting gear. £ s. d. Comforts for men of 1st Echelon on troopships ... 166 5 0 Comforts for Hie men on guard duty at vital points 28 4 3 Farewell functions to Otago reinforcements 49 11 0