WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC LEAGUE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 206, 5 September 1916, Page 4

WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC LEAGUE.

Pukekohe Branch. The annual meeting of the Puke-1 kohe Branch of the Women's Patriotic League was held on Friday, August 25th, in the Borough Council Chambers. Present: Miss Webster (in the chair), Mesdames Mcßae, McArthur, Crum, Hogau, Mee, Grigor, Bayley, O'Connor, Hart and Baxter, Misses ITsher, Ivy Brown, Graham and Bilkey. Apologies for unavoidable absence were read from Mesdamei Webb. Barter and Stuart. The annual report, presented by Miss Webster, was as follows " I have much pleasure in presenting the annual report of the work accomplished by the local branch of the Women's Patriotic League. I would like to mention here that the League is indebted to a large number of willing workers who are not members of the Lenguo In September last the response to the canvass for tli9 Wais'coat Fund was so liberal that more was subscribed than required aud the balance was voted to the local general fund. An appeal for Christmas puddings for home camps lesulted in nine puddings being forwarded. In January the Auckland League invited our assistance in the making of hussifs for the boys when leaving for the front and the Committee agreed to make 50 monthly for a period of live months from material supplied and cut ready by the Auckland League and to pay for iillings at a coat of 7d each. In response to a second appeal the Committee , agreed to make 50 on the same conditions for a further period of six months. A request was received from the local Patriotic League for assistance in collecting for the French Red Cross Fund at the Frankliu Show. Some six or seven members volunteered and as a result about £l3 was obtained by them for this object. On 31st March a deputation from the Auckland Women's Patriotic League consisting of the Mayoress, Mrs Gunson (President) aud Miss B. Spodding (hon. sooretaiy) visited Pukekohe and addressed a public meeting of ladies. Their chief objects were to invite the local League to aililiate with their League aud to arouse interest in the Dominion Gift Scheme. At this meeting an invitation was given to ladies anxious to join the League to hand in their names. At a special meeting of the Committee held on April 4th it was decided to affiliate with the Auckland League, the local League to be leuown in future aa the Pukekohe Branch of the Auckland Women's Patriotic League. The Ma)oreßß (Mia Masou) was elected president, but as she was unable to take an active fart Miss Webster was elected acting-president. The following ladies were elected members : Mesdames Zinzan, Ashford, Mee, McArthur, J. J. Hart, Stuart, Crum, Giigor, Jas. Taylor, Hooey, W. T. Jones, Misses Fausett, Shipherd, I. Brown and F. Roose A strong Canvassing Committee was formed and through their elfoits we have forwarded to Auckland for April olt> parcels, May 287, June 327, July August 282. The district canvassed includes Puni, Mauku and Paerata and it speaks well for the patriotic spirit of the district that Pukekohe is reported to have topped the list of country districts for April, May and June aud I hope we will still be able to keep our ricord. At the monthly meeting in April Miss G. Bilkey aud Mrs Bayly were elected members of the League. At a meeting of the Executive held on 12th May it was decided to hoi t a general meeting of members quarterly the first to be held in May aud a sub committee was formed to draw up rules to lay before the General Committee. All Committees since their formation three months ago have worked enthusiastically with splendid results. The Entertainment and Organising Committee, of which Mrs Webb is convenor, is really the most important as without funds the League could not carry on its work. Their efforts have resulted ii £SO 8s 6d being paid into the Geueral Fund; nett proceeds of Picture Entertainment, £24 18s 6d, of which £2 15s was obtained by the sale of home-made sweets, nett proceeds of Gift Market, £25 10s A Gift Sale held in aid of Russian Relief Fund resulted in £27 4s 6d being forwarded to the secretary in Auckland. The Knitting Committee with Mrs Baxter as convenor, decided to hold a knitting instiuction class every Tuesday in Couucil room, but as they were not attended decided to discontinue them. They are assisted by a large band of workers as will bo seen from the monthly reports in the local papers. The f jlbwing list of knitted comforts have been forwarded to Auck-

land duiing the year: 101 pairi j box, 158 scarvos, 450 Balaclavas, 164 pairs mitten*, 46 cholera belts. Uutil recently our donations) consisted mainly of knitted comfort?. We have, however, forwarded 5 3 flannel uudervestn, J pairs pyjamas for second Hospital Ship, also two pairs hospital slippeis. Since the Sewing Committee, of which Miss Usher is convenor, was formed three months ago they have undertaken the making, filling and despatching of the liusifs each month. The filling of these husifs entails a good de 1 of time, though perhaps it does not sound much. They have also made fen pa : rs pyjamas and have been busy during the past month making up 14 white shirts for hospitul use. The Literature Cjuimittee, of which Mrs Motiou is conveuor, undertake to collect u agazines and pack and forward a case monthly. During the year the sum of £261 15s has been forwarded to Auckland for different objects as follows:—Dominion Gift parcels £192, waistcoats £HS, (histmaa Billies £5, Socle Fund £24, Uucs't Fund £8 15s. triuce the general meeting i i May Mrs Clarke and Mrs H. have besn elected members of the Leagir. Mrs Clarke Das also been elected a number of tbe Entertainment Committee. In conclusion, I wouli liketo say how much I appreciate tbe loyalty with which tbe members have supported me in every movement which has been brought before tbe League. We have alwajs worked together harmonioulsy and 1 trust the same friendly relationship will continue." Mrs O'Connor thanked Misa Webster ou behalf ot the members for so fully reporting tbe business done. A letter was read from Miss Speddiug, secretary of the Auckland Women's Patriotic League, stating that she was in receipt of a litter from Staff-Oliiier Watson, New Zsalind Expeditionary Fore?, Egypt, in which h 3 intimated tbe arrival of the first consignmeßt of gift parcel*, and be also stated that the parcels were most acceptable and much appreciated by tbe "bovß." On tbe motion oC Mrs McKse a hearty vote if thanks for services rendered as chairwoman was accorded Miss Webster.