OTAHUHU

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 301, 14 August 1917, Page 2

OTAHUHU

(See also page 1.) WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC LEAGUE OTAHUHU BRANCH.

The annual meeting of the Otahuhu Branch of the Auckland Women's Patriotic League was held in the Parish Hall on Saturday, the 11th inst., that date being the third anniversary of the inauguration of the League. A fairly representative number of ladies attended, Mrs H. Mason, the retiring President, being in the chair. After the balance Rheet had been adopted the secretary gave her report. She stated that during the past year the League had become, through affiliation, a branch of the Auckland Women's Patriotic League, thereby gaining several privileges, among others obtaining wool at a reduced rate and also sending a delegate to the quarterly meetings in the Town Hall which enabled the League to keep in closer touch with matters concerning our soldiers' welfare. The list of articles made by the League during the past 12 months was as follows : To the New Zealaud General Hospital Supplies Committee besides nightshirts, flannel underwear, face-cloths, handkerchiefs, pillow slips, nurses pockets, swabs, jug covers and many tailel bandages. For the Auckland League con lributions were made of &9o sanitary singlets, 24 pairs pyjamas, 72 pairs sos, large parcals of infants and children's clothes, old linen for bandages and six Balaclava caps. A large parcel of knitted caps and children's clothing was sent to the Mission of the Good Shepherd. To the Hospital Ship "Marami" were sent 24 pairs sox, bed socks, caps, scarves, mittens and face-cloths. To the Red Cross shop the League sent three dozen children's garments and for the men leaving Otahuhu for the front 83 parcels of knitted goods; in all 179 pairs of sox had been knitted.

During the year the League collected for the Dominion Gifts except in October last when Christmas Gifts were substituted. They were assisted by various public bodies in Otahuhu and th:y also sent a monthly contribution to the hussif fund. For the Belgian Relief Fund they gave an Egg Afternoon at which they collected 90 dozen eggs besides money and with the help of the schoolchildren 175$ dozen eggs were sent in. For the Belgian Santa Claus the school children contributed more than half the money sent in. Il addition to the above, members assisted the Men's Patriotic Committee in a Gift Auction h»ld in the Public Hall and also took their turn with the Red Cro<-s Fhop in town. A small collection among members was taken up for the Y.M.C.A. and an "At Home" was held when £lO was cleared and handed to the General Fund of the Auckland Women's Patriotic League The thanks of the League were heartily given to those who had helped throughout the year and especially to the Headmaster, Staff and children at the State school, to Mr E. West who audited the accounts, to Mr F. Andrews for free carriage of parcels, to Mr Ross, Miss Thwaites and Mr Shelton, to the Vestry of Holy Trinity Church for use of the hall, and to all those who outside the League had assisted with the sewing, produca and in manv other ways

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: —President, the Mayoress (Mrs A. McDonald); Vice-Presidents, Mesdames 11. Mason and Shelton ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs Rouse; Delegate, Mrs H. Mason; Sub-Committees: Sewing, Mesdames Lippiatt, Todd, O'Hara, Humphries; Literature, Mesdames E. West, Armstrong, and Miss Webb: Entertainment, Mesdames Fraser, Sutherland, and Miss Maude. A hearty vote of thanks was ac'corded the retiring Secretary (Mrs H Hall) for the able way in which ' she had discharged lnr onerous duties.

The singing of the National Anthem brought the proceedings to a close. A social evening in connection with the Presbyterian Young People's Social Club was held in the Masonic Hall oa Sitardiy evening last. Competitions were taken part in and musical items were rendered by the following : —Pianoforte duet, Mrs Fraser and Miss E. Moffat ; song, Master F. K«mp'ay ; Irish Jig, Miss D ireea Woolley ; song and recitation, Mr A Moffi'ijand song by Miss K. Maish. During the evening the Rev. Currie congratulated the Club on the record attendance. After supper had been partaken of dancing wa9 indulged in and a most enjoyable evening came to a conclusion with the singing of the National Anthem. Excellent music was provided by Mis 9 E. Moffat, Mrs Fraser, MissPeake and others.

Whilst Ilis Worship the Mayor A. McDonald) was referring at the meeting of the Borough Council last week to tho prevalence of too much of the Council's business being discussed at street corners ho incidentally paid a high tribute to the " Times " for its full and accurate reports of the Council's proceedings. The people of Otahuhu, he said, were thus able to f.>ll >w tin do ; ngs of the Council and as the majority <>f tho inhabitants wore readers of the paper there was no need for so much button-holding of Councillors.