LADY LIVERPOOL COMMITTEE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1920, Page 4

LADY LIVERPOOL COMMITTEE

DISPERSAL MEETING

The public were called together yesterday afternoon to consider a statement of the affairs of the above Committee and decide as to the disposal of the accrued funds. The attendance was not large, and outside of the members of the Committee, did not indlude

many of the public. His Worship the | Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry) presided, and

intimated the nature of the business,

Mrs W. J. Butler (President of the Committee) submitted the following summary report:— REPORT.

At a public meeting held in this hall on August Ist, 1917, the original President (the late Mrs Evans) of the local branch of the L.L.L. resigned the position, suggesting myseif as her successor. I accepted, and the new Executive was chosen. That “executive” committee has always endeavoured to bear in mind that it was and is responsible to the power that elected it—thal is, the public. Strict attention has been given to details of accounts and statements of such accounts have been published. The last published statement dealt with the year ending March 31st 1919, and reference to that statement shows that a balance of £559 16s Od was then to the credit of the fund at the Hokitika Savings Bank. This considerable balance was due to the fact that the signing of the armistice came just at the end of the “Coppertraii” ,bv which a considerable sum had been raised. There was also a quantity of wool in hand, which sold to the best advantage realized the sum of £46 13s 2d. The only items of expenditure since March 1919 are a belated account for goods for soldiers (£2 14s Od) and an account for postage of sox (£1 4s Od). In submitting the balance sheet at the termination of the period since March 1917 it has been thought advisable to include in the assets an amount of '£B being interest accruing due on 31st inst. the end of the financial year. This brings the total receipts to £614 9s 2d from which is deducted the above mentioned units of £2 14s Od and £1 4s leaving a balance of £6lO 11s 2d The Committee has fully expected that some legisation would have been passed last session indicating the manner in which such, balances should he dealt .with. Nothing of that nature was forthcoming and it has been been suggested that the public that created the Hokitika Branch of the L.L.L. and so generously subscribed the funds should be asked to co-operate in deciding upon the most desirable method of disposing of the balance in hand. 'Hie Minister of Internal Affairs will then be communicated with conveying a recommendation from the committee that that decision lie given effect to, and that the committee he empowered to pay over the said balance. That being accomplished the need for this committee will have ceased, and it would bo fitting at tin’s time that, following any resolution that may be carried as.to the disposal of the balance in hand a resolution should be also carried directing the cancellation of tlie committee when the previous resolution shall have been given efFect to.

As President of the local branch I should like to take this opportunity of publicly expressing my appreciation of the loyal support that has at all times been extended to me and my fellowinembers. This support has not only made the task much mpleasurable, but had, indeed, made it possible. To those members of the public who helped us in the noble cause of securing “.Might” for the side of “Right” unstinted praise is due, and I should like to he permitted on the part of the boys who were helped to heln the cause to reiterate their appreciation. At the same time I know luflv formal such expressions are, and how much more satis fying is the consciousness of having, each one to whom this refers, done his or her bit.—Received.

Mrs Butler further reported that at a. meeting of the Committee just concluded the following scheme for the allien t ion of the funds had been decided upon:—

That the amount in hand he paid over to the Westland Patriotic Fund trust for disbursement in procuring comforts and extras for sick and incapaciatcd men and their dependents in hospital, sanatoria or elsewhere, and that the following scale be suggested as a basis of disbursement:— (a) —For men in hospital and sanatoria, say Is per day, or £1 15s per month. (b) For widowed mother, wife, or children up to 12 years of age, of men in hospital or sanatoria requiring assistance, £1 per month. (c) —For orphaned children up to 15 years of age, £1 10s per month. (d) —For pensioner 100 per cent, rate £1 10s per month. (e) —For pensioner, 75 per cent, rate 15s per month. (f) —For special cases at discretion of Committee.

The above and all payments to be at the discretion of the Committee administering the fund, and subject to the satisfactory conduct of the recipients, and such other conditions as may bei imposed by the Committee, including the payment of any lump sum or other adjustment for the specific purpose above intended.

That the Hon Minister of Internal Affairs controlling War Funds, be asked tf> sanction the transfer of the funds of the Branch as above proposed to the Westland Patriotic Fund.

It was resolved that the above scheme he adopted, and the funds in hand ho paid over on the approval of the Hon Minister on or after the Ist April, to the Westland Patriotic Fund. The Mayor and Mr Evans eulogised the work of the Lady Liverpool Committee during the busy days of the war. They remarked that the public had greatly appreciated what had been done and great satisfaction had been expressed with the work of the Committee. 'The Mayor mentioned also that on behalf of the soldiers ho could express to the Indieß their special appreciation • for the many acts of kindness done on their behalf. A motion for the disbandment of the Committee when the funds are paid over, was agreed to. In discussing tho services rendered mention was made of tho great help rendered by the late Mesdames Evans and Roberts. Mrs Butler said a final gathering

would be arranged for on or about tlio Ist prox., to hand over the cheque representing the balance of the funds to the Patriotic Society. The meeting then terminated.