PATRIOTIC WORK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 28 August 1942, Page 6

PATRIOTIC WORK

TAHUNANUI COMMITTEE

ANNUAL MEETING Speaking at the annual meeting of Tahunanui Patriotic Committee, the chairman, Mr C. H. Chamberlain, said that the public would have an opportunity of offering constructive criticism on the committee’s work during the year. The Patriotic Committee, since the outbreak of the war, had fulfilled its duty and the members had given their best endeavours in raising funds to assist the men of the fighting forces. A strong and active committee was required so that the work could be spread over a good number instead of a few undertaking the major part of the work. The civilian population had a duty to perform in providing the funds necessary for the work of the patriotic coun cils and National Fund Board. A growing need Was the provision of funds for prisoners of war parcels. During the past year the collection of funds in Tahunanui had been undertaken mainly by the ladies and their services were greatly appreciated by the committee. DIRECT GIVING The committee was of opinion that it was desirable to continue the system of direct giving to patriotic funds by means of monthly collections. By that method contact was made with every resident. Considerable assistance had also resulted from socials and dances, dancing classes, and W.W.S.A. activities. The ladies of the town area had been responsible for the making of woollen comforts and camouflage nets. Assistance had also been given by Tahunanui women in street days and other activities in Nelson. The local committee had also made contact with men returning from overseas, and with relatives of prisoners of war. £4Bl COLLECTED Mr Chamberlain stated that £484 5s 4d had been raised in Tahunanui during the year, that amount including £127 from the W.W.S.A. Bring and Buy effort, £27 6s for soldiers’ parcels from the W.W.S.A. and Women’s Institute, £4O 14s 6d proceeds from socials and dances, £9B 8s 9d from thg special appeal and £l9O 16s Id from monthly collections. In the proceeds from socials and dances was a sum of £l2 from Mr and Mrs Leo Bowden, the result of dancing classes held by them, and £9 frbm a dance given by Mr and Mrs Scott-Robertson. The total amount now collected at Tahunanui was £869 Is 2d. The committee extended its thanks to the collectors, the W.W.S.A. Women’s Institute, Entertainment Committee and to many other helpers and to the secretary. Mr Leo Bowden, and Mr Tomlinson, deputy-chairman and treasurer. W.W.S.A. REPORT The secretary of the Tahunanui branch of the W.W.S.A. also submitted a report. Members were now active in the canteen, Plunket aid, clerical, medical and transport sections of the E.P.S. In addition to the last Wednesday in the month Bring and Buy efforts Monday afternoons had been devoted to Red Cross, Lady Galway Guild, and medical section sewing. The following articles had been knitted: 290 scarves. 264 balaclavas, 31 pullovers, 208 pairs mittens, 115 pairs socks, 27 pairs gloves, 16 pairs of sea boots stockings, 3 polo neck jumpers and 6 skull caps. Presentations had been made to all men leaving the district for active service and in most cases a social and dance had been arranged. The quota for soldiers’ parcels had always been made possible by the efforts of the committee and in July the proceeds from the Bring and Buy purchased parcels for Prisoners of war. Work was now in hand for the final effort of the year when it was intended to hold a garden party on the first Saturday in November in the grounds of the president