HOKITIKA REPATRIATION COMMITTEE.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1919, Page 3

HOKITIKA REPATRIATION COMMITTEE.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15th

The above Committee met at the County Chambers at* 2.30 o’clock. Present: Messrs G. A. Perry, (Chairman) O. Y. Davies, J. A. Murdoch, T. W. Duff, and Hon. J. Grimmond. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and outward correspondence was approved.

IN WAR D CORR ESPONDENCE. From Repatriation Officer, ' Christchurch, acknowledging receipt of repayments on’’account of loans, also forwarding seven cheques aggregating £IOS9 Is ,9d for loans to local men repatriated ; reporting a Hokitika case had been adjusted in Christchurch and asking completion of papers; notify' ing approal of loan for soldier at Ross, to purchase dwelling, declining to grant loan to liquidate a pre-service debt.—Received and attended to. From same notifying fresh procedure in the matter of loans for furniture particulars of articles to be supplied together with a statement of applicant’s financial position; also forwarding bill of sale forms for execuion in respect to furniture loans and business loans (where considered necessary) and directing repayments be now received locally and directing as to bank account.—Received and noted for attention.

From same regarding medical treatment, to the effect that the names of any discharged men under the care of the Department who might be benefited by further treatment, orthopaedic or otherwise, should he sent to the A.D.M.S. of the district for attention; also with regard to pensions, to the effect that men who break down in

health and have to go to hospital, providing the hospital authorities forward the required information no delay in issuing pensions need occur; if a man is suffering from a war disability he will get a full pension from the State on entering hospital.—Received and to lie notified for general information. From same forwarding posters for display urging soldiers to avail themselves of the Repatriation Department in regard to vocational and general occupations ; forwarding supply of office forms; notifying pension granted to married soldier in hospital.—Received.

From same forwarding progress return of Department’s operations for five months ended July,. stating the Department now held 27,809 cards of returned men; 815 loans totalling £189,555 to start men in business had been approved, and that during the past month £70,000 was paid out. there are now 1185 men being trained for new trades, and during the month 97S men were placed in employment: also forwarding precis of Christchurch business.—Received with thanks. APPLICATION FOR LOANS.

From applicant asking loan of £3OO for motor service to South Westland. —Recom mended.

From applicant for £SO loan for furniture.—Recommended. ‘ EMPLOYMENT.

Hon. Grimmond stated the Canterbury Education Board was about to carry out a complete overhaul of the South Westland schools, including repairs and painting as well as considerable renovation work and additions at Hokitika. There would ho room for suitable returned men on the working parties, particularly carpenters and painters, and applications for positions should be sent to the Board’s overseer (Mr Bignell) at Grevmouth.

THE SECRETARYSHIP. In reply to a question, Mr Evans stated it had now been arranged for him to continue as secretary. The Emoluments of this Committee, as well as from the Patriotic Society and Chamber of Commerce, would go towards the increased County Office staff so as to give Mr Evans more time ior attention to repatriation and patriotic work. No salary would he drawn by Mr Evans for the work in question. The Committee rose at 3.30 o’clock.