PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 226, 12 June 1915, Page 4

PATRIOTIC FUNDS.

GENERAL MEETING. /: '■ \, r A meeting of the committee cat tliw Taihape District Patriotic Fund "was. held in Messrs Arrowsmith and Loughnan's office yesterday afternoon.. Tha Mayor, as chairman of the committee, presided, there being six seut. Previous minutes were read a artcon firmed. Th e chairman reportet that Mr McLennan and himself had interviewed. Mr Jorgeusen to ascertain if he would be willing to vary the conditions uader which he had promised to contribute 100 guineas to th e fund. Mr gensen did not seem disposed to make any. alteration and said if there were not nin e ethers willing to give 100 guineas he would not give them. Referring to the business of the meeting, th© chairman said they had met to disiuss a big matter, some romprehensive method of raising money towards the funds, but as the attendance was sosmall it would be best to adjourn the question for a better attended meeting.

Mr .Tames quite agreed with what the chairman said, but it was a pity more were not present as it was an object in which it was rather important, there should b e no delay. Still, it would be advisable in a matter of such

moment as raising such an amount as mentioned, no time should be lost. A. i 1 very good suggestion was made byMr Murrell, that they should increase the number of committee by getting in a few good workers. There was a probability of other schemes being started that might interfere .with any action th e committee might wish to take, and prejudice what might be dene by them. He thought the people of Taihape and district should be invited to discuss the matter; they should have a public meeting, and get from it suggestions as to the best course to take • The chairman said he was very much in the dark about the raising of funds. . Other people were doing things without any reference to this committee. Mr Bray thought it was possible some of them did not know of this com. mittee's existence. If a public meeting were called they could get suggestions from any that were present. .Mr Aldridge said, perhaps it was the committee's own fault as they had held ' no meeting for such a long time. Something ought to be done and he thought they should' go on with the meeting. .

Mr James said a carnival had been mentioned. A carniival was a big un- - dertaking, and he thought it would be out of place for that meeting to take it in hand. They should take the public into their confidence and get suggestions from them. The temper of the 'M public was quite different now to what it was when that committee was first L. formed. J&z

Th c chairman agreed that it -would h e a K'cotl thing to hare a public meeting. It was probable the public did not view things now as they did when some of them thought the war would be over by Chrsitmas, Mr James thought nothing should be allowed to interfere with a supreme effort. They should consolidate the whole effort of the entire district, and they would get much better results than while effort was divided

Mr Aldridge said no time should be' lost in getting- to work. Some of our men from the front were coming home, probably on the road now. Therefore, something should be started straight away. They should call the meeting and if people did not attend they would' have to go on Avithout their help. Mr James thought next Wednesday night would be a suitable time. He moved that this committee, by advertisement, invite the public to attend as. public meeting in the Town Hall, on Wednesday next, at 8 p.m., to discuss proposals for raising money for wounded soldiers and other funds. The resolution, after being seconded by Mr S. Powell, was carried unank mously. -V The chairman said he had just learn. ed that another draft of about twenty volunteers were leaving Taihape for

Trentham by the ten to six train on Monday morning. He was sorry the tim e was so short as he thought they

should give the men a hearty send-off.

Other towns were doing so, but they did not know when men were going:, from Taihape, as the fact was not published. Others had gone without any

send-off because they were not aware

of it, but, although the time was short,

something should be done. After a good deal cf discussion it~ was decided that, owing to the im-

probability of being able to get the

men together in so short a time, they be met on the railway platform at

half-past fiv e on Monday morning, re-

freshments provided, and that all the townspeople be invited to be present to wish the boys a hearty good-bye and

a safe and speedy return

Reverting to the public meeting, the chairman thought that as the business would not take up much time pictures

might be shown for an hour.

Mr Bray said they might open witli a picture, then hold the,meefijng; ap?-. , point a •cbmmittee.'.then" finish op pictures.- ■ . ■' ~ "" * ! [ to' ma&e. ar~ ~ ;tictJi;,"o£. the ;hfcogrkifltee b .",.":.V: . v The meeting; -.then adjourned r til^" : : Wednesday afternoort next, at {diir -V. o'clock, when it was ttapedi tftare mgajt& be a full meeting. "" ;■*