“SOLDIERS’ DAY!”

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 90, 22 March 1916, Page 2

“SOLDIERS’ DAY!”

— THE EASTER MONDAY FETE. SPLENDID INAUGURAL MEETING STRONG COMMITTEES FORMED. A meeting of the Stratford Patrioftic General Committee was field in ithe Committee’s Rooms, Broadway, [yesterday afternoon. The Mayor (presided, and the following were present:—Mesdames Boon, I). J. Malone, White, Martin, Reader, Dixon, F. Dingle, R. Dingle, Budge, Grant, Curtis, Crawshaw, McDonald, Petrie, Uniacke, Good Robin,son. Miss Dingle, Messrs D. J. Malone, J. W. McMililan, T. Reader, J, S. McDonald, Gernhoefer, Kirkwood, Lieut. Gray, Grant, C. Jackson, Mills, Shotter, Sangster, and others. WAYS AXI) MEANS. The Mayor addressed those present, staling that the meeting had been called for the purpose of organising a special Fete on Easter Monday, to be run as a “Soldiers’ Day,” all the funds to go to tlie benefit of Wounded Soldiers. Numerous efforts had been {made in the Stratford district, but ’no special town effort had so far |been made, and it was suggested that the present occasion would provide an excellent opportunity for Stratford as a centre to do something “worth while.” Easter Monday would he an open day; there would he none but minor attractions in the district, aful. given good organisation, successful results could he confidently anticipated. The idea of calling the present meeting was to ensure a combined effort of Town and Country.. In response to the Mayor’s invitation. Mr I). J. Malone gave the meeting a brief outline of the suggestions made so lar by the Patriotic (committee. These were—(l) That the Prime Minister or some responsible member of the Government should he requested to attend the gathering; (2) That such commence at say U a.m.; (3) That the/outlying districts of Eltham, Inglewood and New Plymouth, be invited to co-operate, (Stratford to reciprocate later); (4) That a special feature should be the assistance of the teachers and children of the public schools ■Wni. r displays f dancing, etc> W* «« thft Defence Department should he requested to co-operate -4>y holding parades, etc. Lieutenant Gray as•i:red the that all l military arrangements might he left in his hands; and he would see that such matters would he well attended to. Mr jD. J. Malone was unanimously appointed organiser and general manager iti connection with the Fete. PERSONNEL OF COMMITTEES. The. following committees were agreed upon;— ' ■‘• fcflheral Committee. —Members of thef Stratford Patriotic Committee., together with all present, with power to viidd to their number. procession Committee. —Messrs G. Bradley, .. Rjqht w < MqsjtpfSj, >P - Kirkwood. Advertising Committee,—Messrs Kirkwood, Malone, E. Jackson. RMasters, and E. Dingle. Printing and Issue *of I ickets.— Messrs- Boon, Dingle, Gernhoefer and Shorter. Motor Car Decoration Committee. — Messrs Budge, Abraham, Davy and Mills. i Children’s Decoration Committee. — [Mrs Moon to organise same, j Gate Committee. —Messrs Sangster, jPorritt and J. Masters. j Side Show Committee.—Messrs T. John Rowe and I. holey, i Executive Committee.— Messrs McDonald, Grant, Reader. I j GENERAL. j Mr 11. Masters was unanimously elect od secretary to the Fete Commitjtee ttud Mr W. P. Kirkwood tieasurer. All arrangements in connection with flower, refreshmbent and other stalls were left in the hands of the ladies, who would meet and appoint their own committees. It was resolved that prices for admission to the Fete, should he men 2s, ladies Is, children 6d (an amendment that the charge should he Is men and Od ladies and children being turned down). It was unanimously agreed that the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward he invited to attend. ft was stated that the headmaster and teachers of the Public School had promised hearty support in providing items by the pupils, and a suggestion iby the Rev. Reader, “That a sum of 'money should be set aside to provide, 'entertainment for ‘the kids,’ met 'with very hearty support, j It was decided to recommend the suggestion to the Sports Committee, i The Chairman suggested the printing and issuing of a large supply of tickets to ensure the financial success |of the gathering. It was resolved that these and other [matters should he decided at meetings of the various sub-committee’s to lie held shortly, and a very enthusiastic meeting broke up after two hours solid discussion on ways and means oi making the function a success.