FOXTON PATRIOTIC SOCIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1702, 24 April 1917, Page 1

FOXTON PATRIOTIC SOCIETY.

REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET

The following' is the annual report submitted at last week’s meeting of the Eoxton Patriotic Society; The Secretary presented the report and balance- sheet, which was adopted without discussion. The report was as follows : “Your Committee have pleasure in making their first, report on the work of the Society from the date of its establishment up to the 31st March, 1017. “Establishment. —The origin of the Society was a meeting called by his Worship the Mayor, in July, 1915, when a Patriotic' Committee was formed. This committee, with Mr A. Eraser as chairman and Mr L. Freeman as secretary, arranged a Rangiotu Band Concert, and a jumble sale, both efforts being successful. In response to a request from the Government that the Committee should be put on a proper footing, a meeting was held on Ist November, 1015, when it was decided to form a Eoxton Patriotic Society, and the following officers were elected: —President, Mr A. Eraser; secretary, Mr L. Freeman; committee: Mrs Raine, Messrs Kellow, Aitken, Simmons, Rev, Raine, and a representative each from the Ladies’ Patriotic Guild (Mrs Greig) and the Eoxton Girls’ Guild (Miss Edwards). On the 7th February, 1910, Mr L. Ereeman resigned the secretaryship, and Mr A. •]. Kellow was elected secretary. It was also decided to increase the number of the executive by 2 lady and 5 men members, and the following were; elected: Mrs KorrIlislop, Miss J. A. Ross, Messrs W. E. Barber, B. Gower, E. S. Easton, C. E. Johnston, and Wm, Ross, and any member who failed to attend four consecutive meetings without leave of absence to be deemed to have forfeited his seat on the committee.

“ Subscriptions. The amount raised under tins head to date is £974 17s 3d, and the Society is indebted to those geneltmen who are making monthly donations which so materially help (his our best source of revenue. We also desire to thank the Eoxton Racing Club for the donation of £2OO, part proceeds of the 1910 meeting. A pleasing item under this head is £29 18s 3d. received from the disl rict schools.

“Patriotic Shop.—lt was decided on the 3rd December, 1915, as the result of a scheme introduced by Mi's Greig, to erect a Patriotic Shop, and the use of a section in •Main Street, owned by Mr Breen, was obtained, and the shop erected on 17th December by Messrs Rimmer (2), Sjieirs (2), Siierrall and Dunne, with timber kindly donated by Mr if. X. Speirs, and iron donated by several merchants. The shop was opened successfully on 24l It December, .1915 (Christmas Eve*), and has been open every Saturday since. The amount raised on (13 ordinary Saturdays was £522 19s 4d, an average of £8 (is (hi per week, and on three special days £99 8s -Id was raised. The record receipts for ordinary Saturdays was £23 14s 3d, and was taken liy Mrs Arthur Green ami Mis Murdoch, of Moiiloa, to whom hearty thanks and congratulations are tendered. Your Committee wish to express to the ladies who have managed the shop nti successfully and consistently (heir very best (hanks. “Patriotic Boxes. — The Pa,* riotic Boxes scheme was introduced by the Rev. Mr Raine on (he Jstli November, 1915, and boxes were di>--tributed in I lie houses of (lie borough, which was divided into thirteen districts (lie following January. A very successful start was made, (lie tlrsf collection bringing in £44 4s 5«1. The i o/a I amount raised was £lB6 2s 9<l, which must be considered fairly satisfactory. The Likings have consistently dwindled, and if was decided in March, 1917, to withdraw the scheme. Wo now await the final collection.

“.Special Efforts. —Since the establishment of the Society, £321 16s lid has been raised by special efforts consisting of a jumble sale, an art union, three concerts, four dances, and the Palmerston N, Show effort of the women workers. It Is for the new executive to bring forward n scheme to extend this part of the Society’s operations. “Patriotic Concert Party. —Your Committee wish to heartily thank the members of the concert party lead by Mr Jas. Aitken, assisted by Mrs Freeman, for their splendid work., The party put on three concerts here and one each at Levin and Otaki, and on every occasion scored a great success.

“Distress Fund. This fund stands at £7 6s 6d, and was raised to assist any distress in the town occasioned through the war. We are happy to say that the need of the fund is not yet very apparent. “Wounded Soldiers. —We have to date assisted five wounded soldiers, and the amount paid out for relief amounts to £Bl 10s Od. “Funds in Hand. —The balance in hand is £1,778 4s 4d, and cannot he considered very satisfactory. The objective of the Society should he £5,000, and as we can not expect to raise much money after peace is declared, avc must make special efforts during this year.

“Payments to other Funds. —We have donated £225 17s 4d to other Funds, £143 15s 4d of which was raised especially for these purposes.

“ General. —Though the support given to the Society is not what could be desired, and the attendance at monthly meetings, which are open to all interested, very very small, the Committee cannot let this occasion pass Avithout special mention of the Avork done by the ladies. The Avork of the Avomen of the Empire during this Avar Avill never be forgotten, and as far as Foxton is concerned they slioav up the men ineligible for service in a bad light. The Foxton patriotic ladies have borne the brunt of the Avork done in raising money, and the Society is deeply indebted to them. The thanks of the Society are due to Messrs Bullard and Healey for very material assistance at the Patriotic Sshop, and to Mr Healey for kindly acting as receiver of the moneys collected at the Shop and through the Patriotic Boxes. In conclusion, your Committee urges on all Avho can (o join the Society and assist in this the most important Avork in the Empire, Avith the exception of service in the Army and Navy..”