The County Fund

Levin Daily Chronicle, 10 May 1917, Page 2

The County Fund

.FOR WOUNDED SOLDIERS' RELIEF. IMPORTANT MEETING AT LEVIN. The delegates representing ihe various patriotic societies of Horowhenu.i Patriotic Association met in Levin yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon. The attendance totalled twenty, out of a possible twenty-five. Following is the list:— The delegates present ware: (Messrs C. Blenkhorn, P. W. Goldsmith, C. S. Keodwe'l Levin); F. H. Bright, i\V. F. Edwards, L. St. George (Ofcaki); •C. Palmer, G. X'. Stephenson, Mrs T. F. Gibson (Shannon); J. H. Andrew, P. Sirncox (Manakau); J. MoLeavey, A. McLeavey (Oban); W. J. Howell, R. G. MuLe-n, J. A. Austin (Waikanae); •C. J. Spiers, C. WTdsmith (Te Horo); S. A. • Brondbelt and J. M. 'Richards (Ihak-'ra). The Mayor of Levin (Mr B'lo"Khorni took the chair. He reported that the rules drafted for the association's conrtnl by the special committer appointed by the association tor that mrpese ihacL been completed, and h« l been approved by the Government. It now devolved upon the delegates to assume the duties of a management committee, and Mr Blenkihorn suggested that in order to put matters on a proper footing the committee should elect its officers. , Mr M'cLeavey proposed <md" Mr St. George seconded, the election - of Mr -Blnkhorn las permanent chairman of the association. This was carried

unanimously. Tokomaru's position ui respect to the IHorowJuenua County Fund correspondence was rpad which showed that Tokomiaru had thrown in i-tfs lot iwjith the P®<l m erst on North Patriotic Society, and Tokomaru settlers had been paying in to that fund over since 1915. Messrs MaLean and Smith, of Paekakariki, separably wrote that the residents of that locality were disinclined to come.in with th;e iHorowlienua County Fund; they "preferred to have the central authority at Wellington. Comment was made that tilre (Hoiowhenuia. County Patriotic Association seemed weak at the extreme north and the extrem south, but was very solid. Mr (Blenkhorn 'explained that the rules (approved by the Government) conformed ps far as possible with those of tli© "Wellington and "Wianganui (Patriotic Associations. The rules were read and briefly discussed. A proposal to raise tho quorum number of the committed from five to seven was lost. The rules were adopted .and on the motion of Mr St. George, seconded by Mr H. Andrew, a. vote of thanks was paissed "toi IMe'ssrs Bletokliorn, Goldsmith and Keedwell for their work in preparing the rules. •Mr Spiers spoke of the advisableness of gjiving branches to spend up to £2 to meet urgent cases; such money to be refunded if the association thought fit. Mr BUen'khorn said it was expressly for the purpose of dealing with urgent c.o.sas that the local associations 'would I>e dontinued. ;Tha county association's need was to conserve its funds to meet special eases. Mr Spiers said his association (Te Horo) had , intended to transfer the whole of its funds to the parent body ; that was why he had asked the question.

Mr A. McLeavey ©add Ohau's society was a Red Cross Society, and Mr .Biroadbelt said Koputaroa had no society, though it had contributed liberally to the patriotic funds. Mr Blenkhorn said that in such cases Levin .society djoubtless would grant relief. Mi- Howell sand he had no doubt that the County Fund executive would be found quite willing to act in oases of real emergency. Mr Palmer (Shannon) said his society was merely ' a collecting society; not a paying out society. Mr Keedwell said that if returns were submitted to the iMinister-in-Cluarge the Shannon society could make disbursements. Mr Andrew said that was so; Manakau branch had been doing so. Some members contended tjhat lit would be necessary for societies to become iuc but Mr Goldsmith explained that all that was necessary was for a society to be gazetted "an approved society" ; and then making monthljv 'returns ;of money rfdoeiived and disbursed. The chairman: Any society desiring the power to make disbursements may obtain the power -by applying to the Minister. Hhe chairman explained that Mr C. S. Keedwell, who had done yeoman service as temporary secretary to the association, found his "spare" time so fu'ly occupied "by his duties to the Levin Patriotic Societv that h" eculd not ccntinuo the double secretarial duty. The meetiing passed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Kee Iwell for his services. Mr Howell moved-that tha hf-al office of the association be <dt»nt<ed in Levin, and that Mr F. P. AVa'kley be appointed secretary. He was,

continued Mr Howell, a conscientious good worker, with good tact and resources, and he had been instrumental in starting the Pa'rapaminu patrio.io movement. Mr Howell's remarks were .aouiesced in by the other delegates, and it was resolved that Mr 'Walkley be asked to undertake tihe duties of secretary for three months. Mr Spiers contended that secretarial work should be done gratis; if anyone had spare time he should give it at 1 his country's call. Messrs Keedweill, Howell and Jas. MciLewey contended that the secretarial duties demanded so much time, and there was so much to do, that to take any man who oould afford to do the woi'k for nothing would prove to be false economy. 'It was resolved that Mr Wa'kley be .asked to undertake the duties for three months, terms to be 'loft open in the meantime. Mr Goldnnith, in retiring from tTir> treasu-er hip, sn;-gMtpd tlia f . Mr C. K. Pyk" bp aprointed to- the vacant office Mr fl v . . St.eplieiwoii thought tli" office short! I in the commi't.ee. He proposed Mr ICeedwell, seeing that Mr Goldsmith would not accept a further term of office. Mr Keedwell explained that . his ■businpss was short-handed already and he could not spare the time necessary for tlio treasurership. Mr S. A. Broadbelt seconded the

nomination of Mr Pyke, and M] Pyke then was unanimously appoint cd trenaxirer. The chairman submitted figure* showing that the association's money,' in sight and i" band t"tnllrd £1100 It was suggested by delegates that the new secretory might combine the duty or organizing wiMi bis mors routine lout.ino duties. The delegates were entertained at afternoon tea by Mesdames Goldsmith and Rdahter, of the Levin Patriotic Sooiety. ' 1 flVIr Andrew suggested that something should be done to increase the association's finance; £1000 or so was very little for such an association to have in hand. Mr Keedwell said there were some •business houses in the county willing to subscribe to a county fund, though they would not subscribe to merely a town fund. The delegates decided that live stock sales for benefit of the fund should be organized throughout the county, and that the sales be held during June at three, two or one centre, as might seem best when the quantity of giftstock was ascertained.