SOLDIERS’ WIVES AND FAMILIES

Southland Times, Issue 24830, 24 August 1942, Page 4

SOLDIERS’ WIVES AND FAMILIES

PLAN FOR HOLIDAY AT STEWART ISLAND A plan to provide holidays at Stewart Island during the summer vacation for the wives and children of Southland soldiers on active service was discussed at a meeting of Stewart Island residents on Saturday night. The meeting approved of the suggestion and a committee was set up to consider details.

The Mayor of Invercargill (Mr A. Wachner), who is visiting 'Stewart Island in his capacity as chairman of the Southland Provincial Patriotic Council, the town clerk and honorary treasurer of the Patriotic Council (Mr W. F. Sturman) and Cr R. T. Parsons, a member of. the City Council, who has taken a close interest in island affairs, were present. The meeting was well, attended by residents and representatives of the local Patriotic Committee. < Mr T. Bragg, chairman of the Stewart Island County Council, was chairman. He explained that the meeting had been called to consider the practicability of providing the wives and children of Southland soldiers on active service with a holiday at the island. Mr Wachner and Cr Parsons both expressed their support for such a scheme and said the idea of a holiday at the island would probably appeal strongly to the wives and families of men serving with the forces. Mr.Sturman spoke of the organization which would probably be necessary at the island for the accommodation and entertainment of the visitors. Considerable support for the scheme was expressed by local residents and it was decided to set up a committee to begin the necessary organization. Mr Wachner said he felt certain that a great deal of support would be by Invercargill and other Southland centres and he promised to give the utmost assistance. He and his colleagues would return to the island later for further discussions. . The chairman thanked the visitors for putting the proposals before the residents and for favouring the island with their help in giving it the opportunity to make such a scheme a pracOn Saturday Mr Wachner opened a bring-and-buy sale held by the Stewart Island Women’s Institute for the soldiers’ parcels fund and made a generous donation. The sale realized £25.