PATRIOTIC AFFAIRS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3268, 26 May 1943, Page 7

PATRIOTIC AFFAIRS

MEETING IN COROMANDEL

COMMITTEES APPOINTED

There was a fair attendance at the patriotic public meeting held in the Coromandel County Chambers on Thursday evening last. The county chairman, Mr C. C. Rae, who convened the meeting, presided. Mr Rae said the object of calling this meeting was to get together with a view to working up enthusiasm and to organise various efforts in order to raise the quota asked for from this district by the Thames Zone H. He explained that the amount was larger than last year and the time was flying by.

In reply to a query as to why the amount was so much higher this year than last it was pointed out that the number of men under arms was much larger and the activities of the National Patriotic Fund Board had been increased as a result.

The secretary of the Inter-zone Committee gave a brief resume of the amounts required from the various parts of this zone and also drew attention to the rumours that had been given considerable credence in regard to excess amounts for administration costs.

These rumours, Mr Lucas emphasisted, were totally unfounded. He quoted extracts from the National Patriotic Fund Board’s monthly bulletin which stated that the low cost of id in the £ was all that the cost of administration had been ih the past. He then informed those present that although the local sub-com-mittee had resigned eight months ago and there had not been one since, a certain amount of money had come in. This was largely due to the untiring efforts of Mr Ron.McNeil who had continued the regular collecting of voluntary donations in his section of the town. Others had from time to time organised efforts with a gratifying result. ■Commendation of Mr McNeil’s efforts was carried by 1 acclamation. The constitution of the inter-zone committee was discussed.

Mr C. H. McKenzie suggested that both the inter-zone and sub-commit-tees should be elected annually and should be alive and meet at least every three months. It should keep in touch with activities of sub-com-mittees and so have full cognisance of what is going on.

After further discussion it was proposed by Mr Murphy and seconded by Mrs Inglis “that the inter-zone committee be formed, hold meetings once a month, and retire automatically at the end of each annual appeal.”— Carried.

The election of the inter-zone committee resulted as,follows: Mr C. C. Rae and Mr Lucas (chairman and sec-

retary ex-officio), Mr P. Murphy, Mr T. M. Lillis and the chairman of the local sub-committee.

It was proposed and seconded that there be five ladies and five men bn the sub-committee. It was then proposed, seconded and carried that this committee have the same life as the ' inter-zone committee. The following were duly elected:—Mrs J. McNeil, Mrs Lynn, Miss Davies, Mrs Tarrant Hosking, Mr D. H. Knight, Mr R. McNeil, Mr A. R. King, Mr A. H. Benham, Mr S. Ward. It was proposed by Mr McKenzie and seconded by Mr Benham, that nominations close at four ladies and delegate the committee the power to appoint a fifth lady and fill any future vacancies from time to time. Miss V. Davies was elected as secretary and Mrs Lynn as chairwoman of the Coromandel, Sub-Committee. It was proposed by Dr. Birkinshaw and seconded by Mr Rae that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to the , past committee for their hard work and the gratifying results achieved. — Carried. Mr Murphy, on behalf of the old committee, thanked Dr. Birkinshaw for his remarks and said he would in turn like to propose a hearty vote of thanks to Dr. Birkinshaw for his help in assisting the committee during its term of office.—Carried by acclamation. Mr Murphy also said he wished to thank the ladies of the old committee who had given such generous service, especially to Mrs Anderson who was the best worker of all. Interjection by Mr Hawley: “That’s a sweeping statement.” Mr Murphy: “I stand by my remarks.” 1

The meeting then closed and a short committee meeting held.