Patriotic Meeting

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 August 1915, Page 2

Patriotic Meeting

DJW'AKTLNG MrJN Tu. liJi KMbU-

TALNED

There was a small attendance at the meeting called iby the .Mayor in tho Council Chambers last evening, doubtless due to the unfavourable weather. The meeting was called to consider tho question of holding a concert or soiuu kind of entertainment as a "send-oft" to the men from this district leaving for the front on tho 24tn inst..

Apologies were received from Mcsdames Whitaker and Gardener, and Mibs McKegg and -ur w . Hughes.

The -Mayor, in explaining the purpose of the meeting said that before many thought that with such serious business ahead of the men leaving lor the front that it was best not to nave •'send-offs." It was thought now that a "(send-off" might be the means of encouraging other young men in the district to enlist. it was understood that this had been the effect in other districts. One suggestion was that a concert be held and a charge of Is all round bo made, and afterwards to entertain the men. If there was any profit the money could be devoted to liquidating the debt incurred in providing for the troops that came to Levin some weeks ago.

Major BurliuKon moved that tho suggestion to entertain the men be carried out, the entertainment to be held on the 23rd inst. He thought that in future all men leaving this district should be given a "send-off."

Mr Goldsmith said that the Area Sergeant-Major had informed him that it was the practice at Wanganui to entertain all men leaving that town. After one such function 07 men had enlisted.

Mr Goldsmith went on to explain that the Waikauae camp had been broken up, and consequently the Concert proposed to have .been given by tbj men from that camp had fallen through. Mr JL>. S. Mackenzie seconded the iik tion. The motion was cameo. Further discussion took place on the precise form of enitertainnient ami Mr Mackeuie suggested that the men be entertained at dinner lirst and a concert be held afterwards.

.Major Purlinson suggested that refreshments be provided for everyone who attends the gathering.

TJie Mayor said that in that ease it would be brat if the providing 01 the reireshnients be let by contract. iio ■moved that the whole maittor of providing refreshments be left iu the hands of the Levin Ladies' Patriotic Committee to devise sucli ways and means as they may think lit. He said that every penny -that might be raised would be devoted to comforts for tiie men at the front from thifc district, l'lvery man who had gone from here so far had been given a cardigan jacket. He had a letter from Wellington saying that the Wellington ladies were providing 5000 waistcoats for the ■men at the front in winter. He considered that Cardigan jackets were far more comfortable than waistcoats. It should be made known to all that any money over and above expenses would ■ie spent on the men who were fighting for them at the front.

Alter further.discussion re the price of admission to the entertainment it was left to the Ladies' Patriotic Committee and also the drawing- up of the eon-

cert program.