PATRIOTIC RELIEF.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 117, 6 December 1915, Page 1

PATRIOTIC RELIEF.

Pukekohe an Administrating Centre.

As a result of the representations of the Mayor of Pukekohe, Mr fl (j K Mason, Pukekohe has been constituted an administrative centre for the three northern tidings of Haglan County and for the whole of the Franklin County for the purposes of the Patriotic and War Relief Association. This ensures that relief will be dispensed to wounded soldiers and dependents with far more expedition than if the applications had to be remitted to Auckland for investigation.

A meting of representatives of local bodies of the area concerned was held on Friday last at the Borough Council Chambers. Present:—The Mayor of Pukekohe, Messrs J Flanagan, chairman Franklin County Council, D Fulton Tuakau, Wilcox, Buckland, Joseph Henry and T Woods, Patumaho:, and A M Barriball, Waiuku. An apology for non-attendance wa> rtceived from Mr Batty, Karaka. A local committee war elected tor the area concerned, comprising the Mayor of Pukekohe for the time being as chairman, and Messrs D A Moore, Onewhero, 1) Fulton, Tuakau, R ' Lyons, Pokeno, J Flanagan, Drury, A M Barriball, Waiuku, W C Motion, Otaua, Joseph Henry, Patnmahoe, aud W C Cornthwaite, Bombay. Mr J F Deane, of Pukekohe, was appointed honorary secretary pro tem, and Mr H Bockett, of the Bank of New Zealand, Pukekohe, was appointed treasurer. Applications for r£ilef or assistance can be made through any member of the committee.

Referring to the grant of £6 arranged to be made to all Wairarapa soldiers immediately on their return from the front, a system that we last week advocated should be adopted in this district, the "Manawatu Daily Times," says:—The decision of the Wairarapa Committee to hand each returned soldier £5 without discrimination is a commendable one. Though the amount is small, the contribution will in most cases prove timely and if it iB followed up by immediate action to ascertain what each soldier requires to place him in a comfortable position, and his wants are supplied, there should be little cause for complaint. The Wairarapa idea is good also becaaes it is a departure from red tape methods which are already causing the State to neglect or defer its duty. It is regrettable tbat Ministers do not show an inclination to disregard the strict letter of the Act if this stands in the way of relieving any necessitous case that is known to exißt. -