THE PATRIOTIC FUND.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3, 4 January 1900, Page 4

THE PATRIOTIC FUND.

BNTHUBIABTIO PUBLIC MEETING. The prevailing patriotio sentiment was practically exemplified last night, when a public meeting, convened by the Mayor, was held m Bwart's Hall. The attendance was fairly numerous ; but the anticipation that there would be a crowded gathering was not fully realised. Nevertheless, the proceedings were very enthusiastic, and indicated that the right feeling is abroad, Hia Worship the Mayor (Mr R. MoArtney) occupied the ohair ; and on the platform were Mr O. H. Mills, M.H.R., Rev. Father Goggan, Oounoillors Bhaw, Scott, Macey, James, and other gentlemen. Ihe Harrison B&d, which bad played m front of the Hall, rendered on the stage " Her Bright Fmile Haunts Me Still," and then the speaking commenced. The Mayor explained that the meeting was convened with the view of inaugurating a Patriotic Fund for the whole of the district. We were, perhaps, a little late intaking action, many of the larger centres already having large sums to their credit; but he did not think there W6re many towns m New Zealand of Blenheim's size that had gone further than we had. We were m good time to assist the sick and needy (applause) ; and he was quite euro i there would be a nob'.e response > The meeting would have been called earliei but for the holidays ; and even now the time was not thoroughly opportune, many leading residents being absent from the district. The Mayor then read absence apologies from the Rev, W. O. Robb, who expressed his sympathy with the movement and enclosed a guinea; Archdeacon Grace and O. J. Griffiths, wrote m similar terms. The Bey. W. Keall wrote saying he .would attend, if possible, and forwarded a guinea. Major Rogers and Mr T. Horton had also regretted their inability to attend. The Mayor also acknowledged the £5 14s 6d collected by the Hibernian Band* on Saturday night; and intimation made by the Wesleyan and Church of the Nativity Sunday Schools to undertake special collections. Every enoouratgment had been given by lesidents m the country, several of whom had promised to assist. He felt quite sure that Marlborough would raise a really good Fund (applause). The district had done splendidly as far as the personnel of the contingents were concerned ; proportionately to population, we bad beaten any other part of the colony. Our young men having acted so nobly, it now behoved us to do something for the relief nl the sick and needy and those who had lost and would lose their breadwinners. He did not anticipate the disasters would be felt very much yet ; but they „ would be felt. Many poor, fellows had fallen ; and, to all appearances many more would fall, h nppeared to him that the war would last some time; that the strength of the enemy was under-estimated, and that the British authorities were not so well prepared as they might have be«n. However, they need not find fault with the Army. There were men m the British Army they had reason to be proud of, and men with the courage that had carried the nation to victory over and over again. At this distance we were inclined to be Over-critical and Bay thdt blunders had been made ; but probably if we were able to judge all the circumstances, we would see no reason to find fault, It was not necessary for him to urge the desirableness of establishing a Patriotic Fund. It was not a municipal matter; the whole district was concerned. He suggested that a central committee should be formed m town ; and he oould say that the Borough Council wpuld readily undertake to act as the, Executive Committee, forward liata to all parts of the district, receive the subscriptions, and forward them to the proper quarters. He trusted that, though the meeting was not as large as was anticipated, it would set a Fund going and thatthe public would generously respond. In conclusion he invited Mr 0. H. Mills, M.H.R., to address the gathering. (Applause). Mr 0. H. Mills, M.H.E., said the Mayor had remarked we were rather late m getting into the field, but he would remind them that outside we had been looked on as the very first m the field. (Applause). He felt very proud that so many volunteers came forward with such promptness from Marlborough. We were not lagging, either, m conneo'ion with the second contingent; the only thing was that many had been stopped by those awful regulations which required half an inch on the head or the foot, though, the heart was as big as a pumpkin. Mr Mills went on to refer m fitting: words, to the action of New Zealand m the present crisis, and the trust she had shown m the Motherland, Once the fiat had gone forth it was not for the children of , the Mother Country to raise a voice against her policy, but to stand by her, This was the spirit that New Zealand had shown all through. Nor had they forgotten that the •' sinews of war " were required ; and this was the consideration they now had before them, If everyone would contribute according to his means, I t was sure Marlborough would be able to say that it had left nothing undone for the great flag that waved over all of us. As for the assistance we had given m the way of men, he noted that while several had left, there were many more eager to go. Many could not go ; and let it r e said that it was just as noble for a young man to st^nd by his old parents m their declining years (hear, hear) as to go to the front to fight the enemy ; and there were those amongst us who were m this position, and fulfilling this duty. Mr Mills went on to speak of the need of organisation m the matter of the Patriotic Fund ; and he asked that those who would not be on the committee should exert outside influence. He was sur* that if this were done the result would be satisfactory, He' HOW TO CURE A SPRAIN. Last fall I sprained my left hip while handling some heavy boxes. The dootor 1 called on said at first it was a slight strain and would soon be well, but it grew worse and (he dootor then said I bad rheumatism. It oontinned to grow wow, and I oould hardly get around to work. I went to a drag store, and the druggist reoommended me io try Chamberlain's Pain Balm. I trie's it, arid one-ball of a bottle enred me entirely. I bow recommend it to all my friends.— F. A. Baboook> Erie, Pa, It b tor sale by 0. M, McKay,

referred to the garden jarty to be held at his residence at Spring Greek, and acknowledged the action nf the Garrison Band m proffering their cer vices. He alluded to the good work done by the local press m pushing forward the cause of the Patriotic Fund, and thanked all those who had assisted the movement. He intended to ask the Railway Department ti> arrange a special train service for the forthcoming garden parly. In conclusion, be hoped that the movement the meeting was promoting would- be heartily supported, and that such a Fund would be built up as would reflect credit on Marlborough (applause), The Rev. Father' Goggan said there was a platform on which they could ail stand and make common cause — the platform of doing good, of relieving the suffering. Just now the nation needed the true patriotic heait of every citizen. (Applause). And, m the present contest, the Empire was not merely fighting the Boer ; the Empire was watched by the foreign world ; and if she failed (Got! forbid she should) there were other Powers waiting to pounce on her. It was for us tc show a united front, and do our best to uphold the heritage of the nation. (Applause). Continuing his remarks, the reverend gentleman said it was not his aim to strike a discordant note ; still, he trusted that from : the very logic ot events, the free Government which England now demanded for her subjects iv the Transvaal would be granted 10 Ireland. (Applause). It was not merely the Ireland m the Atlantic; there was the greater Ireland -m America, the smaller ones m Australia and New Zealand. The abo?e grievance once righted would give an united English speaking Great Britain, Ireland, Australasia and Amerioa and that, combination m peace or war could defy the world. That nation was truly great which had commercial peace, a healthy social life, and was at the same time always ready for war. America said it was possible xo enjoy peace without the burden of a standing army. /That country called out 40,000 volunteers from among its oitizens, and m three weeks they went as trained soldiers to the Philippines. America had turned the boys' playgrounds into military training camps, and the man had only to remember bis boy drill. And she was no loser. Robustness of physique alone had well repaid her outlay. Here m New Zealand our position rendered it necessary for us to be similarly self-reliant. Referring to the present crisis, the Rev. Father Gpggsn said that it was not merely for us to raise men to fight. Loss of bread-winners rceant distress for many. It was for us to take the part of the lost wage-earner. ,He did not think for a moment that anyone would be so callous as to refuse a s mite for • the relief of the suffering, It was not a time for wor as ; it was a time for acts. On behalf of Father Fay and himself, he handed m a cheque of £4 4s. (Applause). Mr F. Shaw was the next speaker. He suggesed that entertainments to assist the Fund should be arranged by the Volunteers and the various 8' cieties ; and said that for his own part, he was willing to give the use of the Hall, free of charge, L." any movement m aid of the Fund. (Applause). He proposed the following resolution;— " That a Fund be established to be nailed ' The Mayor's j Patriotic Fund,' and that the members of the Borough Council act as the Executive Committee for the whole of the Marlborough district." Mr T. Orr seconded the motion, Mr James Coleman addressed the meeting, urging that everyone should give something, if only a shilling. Mr Chaplin, who said he was a "> oH man-of-warsman, recited Rudyaird Kipling's famous poem, " The Absent-minded Beggar," and m this way considerably increased the enthusiasm. The motion was oarried unanimously ; and the Mayor thanked the audience for their attendance, saying he was certain they would do their part, and, m the words of the poem recited by Mr Chaplin, " pay, pay, pay." A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings, and the meeting dispersed singing " Soldiers of the Queer." Wellington, Jai vary 3. Mr John Plinuner has given a further donation of 100 guineas for the purchase of horse?. The Union Company have given the use of all steamers m harbor on a day next week for a ma me excursion m aid of the Patriotic Fund. Timabu, January 3. The Timaru collections so far to the Patriotic Fund are:— Mayors Fund, £155 10s; Timaru Herald, £103; Cai.'^ian Society, £71; Morning Post, £i 5.