HOROWHENUA COUNTY PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

Shannon News, 31 August 1923, Page 3

HOROWHENUA COUNTY PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.

The quarterly meeting of the Management Committee ot the Ilorowhenua County Patriotic Association was held in the Council Chambers on Wednesday, the president Mr P. W. Goldsmith) being in the chair. Also present-: Mrs. T. F. Gibson and Messrs Keedwell, Howell McLean, Smith, Catiey and Kilsby. Apologies were received from Messrs Murdoch, 80-vis, A. McLea-vey, McKay arid Plaster. The following statement of the financial working of the Association was submitted by "the secretary. Receipts.—Balance brought forward £l4 10s 2d; grants to soldiers refunded by other societies £3O, refunds on account loans to soldiers £2O ss, interest £6 6s. 4d, total £7l Is 6d. Expenditure.—Grants to soldiers £SO Is Bd, advertising £2 8y 6d, secretary’s salary. £8 6s Bd, stamps, etc., 9s lOd, total £7l Is 6d. The assets of the Association were reported as follow Loans to soldiers £2759 10s 7d, Government stock £IOOO, Public Trust £ISOO, P.O. Savings Bank £527 Bsi lOd, Bank of New Zealand £ls 17s lid; total £5802 17s 4d. CORRESPONDENCE. The National War Funds Council wrote forwarding weekly circular. From the Auckland Patriotic Provincial and War Relief Association, forwarded a. list of unsatisfactory cases who might apply for assistance.

A letter was received from the Feilding Association forwarding £5 to be added to -a similar amount advanced to a. disabled soldier, as per arrangement. The chairman, stated that this was a serious and very deserving case. The man was a soldier settler and had a sick wife and several children. The secretary was instructed to keep in touch with him in case further assi stance was required. - In the case of a man whose advance from the Association was due, permission was granted to defer payment of the principal until December, interest to be paid as previously. An application for a loan with which to purchase a gig and horse was received from an ex-soldier formerly of this district, now working in a very out-of-the-way district. As the applicant, who had been placed; in his present position by the Association, was making good, and was a married man the application was sympathetically considered, the matter being left in the hands of the executive committee with power to act. In a. case where 15s per week had been -made- for a definite period to be devoted., to the purchase of food and necessaries for the wife and children of a returned soldier, it was decided to continue the grant for a further quarter. It was pointed out that this man was not a- deserving case, but it was felt that assistance must he given for the sake of the family. An account of £4 for groceries supplied to- a. man who was Horowhenua’s responsibility, was approved. An acknowledgment. was received of ia grant of £2O made for the purpose of purchasing tools, etc. A sum of £5 8s lOd interest and instalment of principal- of a loan was received.

GENERAL,

It was reported that a man whose case hadl come before the Association at, its Last meeting, had now received a permanent pension of 12-/6 per week, and would probably require no assistance from the Association. The case of a shell-shocked soldier 'vus discussed. This man had not annlied for assistance, but was unable to work owing to his condition, and a member expressed the opinion that, assistance would be very acceptable. He was in receipt of a, pension of ?5s per week, but it was felt that in this case the full pension should be Paid. Mr McLean spoke strongly of the advisability of putting such men on an assured footing a. s the worry of financial matters .militated considerably against tbeir recovery. It wa s decided that -an investigation should be -made with a view to assistance being given.