THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1920. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 21 April 1920, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1920. EDITORIAL NOTES.

; Closing Down. After several year.- of most useful 1 work, the Otaki Patriotic Society-La-- ; now elosed down, there being no longer j need for it? existence, seeing that the j war is happily over, and the after-war I problems are being undertaken by the ! Patriotic Association*, ,'iad Bepatria--1 tion Department. In is fitting, at this ! time, to glance at the work done by oar local Patriotic Society. Though commeiseißg operation? somewhat Into ■ —between four and five year, ago—- ’ the Society did a giitid work during * the war. no less than £2442 10s being | passed through it. -book? in fhat.ptrir-d. ! This i? altogether apart from the big ; Belgian rally and the Queen Carnival I effort made early is the war. The * Society's activities ware practically i as tinned to the Otaki tow-ship, and ; two other patriotic organisation? —the i Bed Cross Society and the Baagiura | Kick ting Club also did a great * amount of splendid war work, and j pended many hundreds of pounds; all j ! this in addition to the fine efforts of i the Horowhenua County Patriotic A»- ; sociation. in which Otaki. oz course, assisted liberally. Thus i: v. ii! for that Otaki resident? did their share liberally and well in attending to the wants of these brave toUi<trs who went forth ;0 freely to fight our battles, and "of their dependents. At times tie Society was criticised for its actions. ; and doubtless the- officers made a few usietaker ocessioaslly, but on the whole

splendid work was done, and the townspeople can look back to its record of patriotic work with feelings of satisfaction. At this stage it is fitting, we think, that reference should be made to flic services of those officers of the Society who, during a lengthy term, gave most valuable services entirely without any remuneration. In doing so we would specially mention the worthy honorary treasurer (Mr. L. St. George), who acted in that capacity right through from the formation of the Society until its close. Few people have any idea of the tremendous amount of work that this office entailed—work that has been done cheerfully. faithfully and well—and the best thanks of the community are duc.»Mr SI. George for his arduous, voluntary efforts. The ladies who managed the social gathering held in honour of soldiers, both as farewells and welcomes

on Iheir return home, also deserve a word of praise for their self-sacrificing labour. The Otaki Patriotic -Society has had a most useful and prosperous career, and has been the means of rendering much good service to our gallant soldiers and their dependants. The Kangiuru Knitting Club, which has also just been disbanded, played no unim-

portant part in providing war comforts for a lengthy period. The noble, seltsacriiicing labours of the baud of ladies who worked so untiringly for years to provide warm garments, sweets, cakes, and all sorts of comforts for the boys in the trenches were worthy of the best

traditions of our women-foik during the trying war period, and the pleasure that the soldiers derived from the parcels received will never be forgotten by them. The Great "War has certainly

proved that there is a great dea Imore good in men and women than is generally supposed, and the work of our various patriotic organisations during the war will always stand as a monu-

ment to the generosity and line spirit of those who 1 ‘ kopt 1 Pc l camp tires