WESTLAND ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1917, Page 4

WESTLAND ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

NATIONAL WAR FUNDS COUNCIL. Wednesday, November 28. N\A meeting of the executive was held at the Co.uuty Chambers at 5 o’clock. Present —Messrs G. A. Perry (Chairman), .T. Grimmond, J. A Murdoch, A. A. Andrewee. D. .T. Evans, and Atkins, D.G.M. r The minutes of the previous meeting wei'e confirmed. The outward correspondence was approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Internal Affairs Department, circular in respect to restrictive legislation under the War Funds Act.— Received. From Discharged Soldiers’ Information Department, stating the New Zealand Society of Accountants would provide free clerical training for partially disabled soldiers who had passed an educational test equal to the sixth standard. Received with approval. From Public Health Department, pointing out that judicious entertainment only should be meted out to I’etnrned men, —Received. From Same, notifying lists of returned men, and causes for return.— Received,

From Advisory Hoard of Federated Societies, supplying lists of decisions of War Pensions Board affecting Westland men.—Reeeived.

From Same, forwarding cop}' of minutes of October meeting.—Received with thanks.

\ From same, acknowledging £l2 9/ contributions to furlough men, and expenses of Board management. From Same, asking for £2 9/ as a quota towards a. grant of £3OO to the Rifle Brigade. - Received and approved. From Salvation Army, the Church Army, Y.M.C.A., and Catholic Federation, asking for grants in aid of war work.—Received. It was resolved to refer the matter to the various patriotic societies working in the district, the local funds not- being elastic enough for the purpose. From Y.M.C.A., ~ acknowledging contributions collected for war work in Westland.—Received.

From N.Z. Insurance Company, remitting £3B (i/8, third instalment of £IOO to the Westland Patriotic Fund, half of the amount being earmarked for Y.M O.A. work.—Received with thanks.

From Minister of Defence, notifying an amendment to the War Pensions Act which would enable a pension to be paid to a returned soldier, hitherto in abeyance.— Received with satisfaction.

From War Pensions Board, granting £1 a week to (lie soldier above referred to for a period of six months from Ist January next. —Received.

From Same, notifying grant of pension to a case in the Kanieri district. - Received with satisfaction.

From Same, extending a returned soldier’s Pension for twelve months. —Received.

From Defence Headquarters, several letters explanatory of pay due returned soldiers, dependents, etc. — Received.

From Greymouth Patriotic Association, notifying advance to a ’Westland soldier.—Received; amount already refunded. From Auckland Associaton, recommending further grant to a Westland soldier being treated as an out patient. —Received and approved. From Canterbury Association, asking assistance for a Westland soldier out of work in Christchurch.—-Re-ceived and payment approved.

From a Westland soldier, asking for a grant to assist hi ru d uring period of recuperation till able to take up employment—Received and grant made for six months.

From a dependent, asking for financial assistance.—Received ; grant made for six mouths.

Iu another case dealt with verbally the Treasurer’s action in making a monthly grant was approved also. Circulars from various patriotic organisations were received.

From Deputy Commissioner* of Stamps, notifying the Society would be treated as a permanent proprietary for the collection of the amusement tax, provided a bond were given.— Received, and agreed to. From Canterbury Association, asking for continuation of relief to a Westland dependent till the new pension rates came into force on January Ist.—Received and approved. From Y.M.C.A , notifying the cinematograph picture “Sons of Our Empire ” would be displayed in Hokitika shortly by Air Behan, and 25°io of the proceeds would go to the local patriotic fund.—Received and reply sene approved. From Mayor of Westport, refunding £lO advanced to a soldier.—Received with thanks. From Discharged Soldiers’ Associ ation, notifying offers of work available for returned men.—Received. From a dependent asking fer temporary advance against payments due. —Received and agreed to

An account for £lO was passed for payment. The Hon Treasurer (Mr A. A. Andi’ewes) notified the following statements of the accounts :—' IMPREST ACCOUNT RECEIPTS. Balance, April Ist, £BO 12/11 ; National War Funds Council, £200; refunds of temporary advances to soldiers, £27 6/8 ; total £307 19/7. Expenditure—Relief to soldiers and dependents, £124 1/4 ; temporary advances to soldiers, £SO 16/8 ; grant to furlough fund (London) £10; sundry payments, £5 6/ ; credit balance, £ll7 15/7 ; total £307 19/7. PATRIOTIC ACCOUNT. Receipts —Balance, April Ist, £lB 7/3 ; donations, J. Mandl £IOO ; N.Z. Insurance Coy, £33 6/8; sundry £8 15/; Ross Patriotic Committee, £35 10/2; Knmara Patriotic Committee, £9; Victoria School, sales of bottles, etc, £4 5/9 ; total, £209 4/10. Expenditure —Remitted to Mar Funds Council, £62 19/2; donation to Y.M.C.A. £l6 13/4; printing, £IS/3; credit balance, £l2B 4/1; total, £209 4/10. Particulars of the temporary advances accounts and of the relief statement were also given by the Treasurer. The statements were received and approved. Mr Grimmond reported an Advisory Board meeting would be held in Wellington next month. It was resolved to ask Mr Grimmond to at tend to various matters requiring attention at Headquarters Departments. Mr Grimmond reported that a Packet Day would be held at Ross on Boxing Day in aid of the Central Fund. It. was resolved to support the request to have the ordinary train from Ross delayed that evening for the convenience of visitors. Mr Murdoch reported a permit had been issued for a benefit day at Kumara on Boxing Day for the benefit of the main fund, and a ladies committee had the mat er in hand. It was resolved to enquire by telegraph in respect to a soldier’s pension,, the grant of which was being unduly delayed. The meeting then concluded.