TAIHAPE WOMEN'S WORKING CLUB.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 95, 20 April 1916, Page 4

TAIHAPE WOMEN'S WORKING CLUB.

The report of the Taihape Women's Working Club and Taihape branch of the British Red Cross Society suflP ted at the Red Cross meetingon T%sday afternoon reads as folmf^: — "At a public meeting held on May 27th, 1915, in the Gymnasium Hall, Taihape, a motion was submitted by Mrs. Shute, and unanimously carried, to establish a Club, for the purpose of providing comforts for our soldiers in hospital and field. The club took the name of the "Women's Working Club,' and at the initial meeting, a strong committee was formed, with Mrs. Shute as president, and Miss Gilbert as secretary and treasurer. "Since May i!7th, 1915, your committee has met no fewer than 30

I times, the average attendance at these i meetings being eight. Considering ' the many extra duties devolving on 1 everyone in these times of stress, such

a record is certainly praiseworthy. In addition to the Comittee meet-

ings, some of the mere devoted mem-

bers of the Club have further sacrificed their time, and helped in a practical way at the weekly sewing meetings. Keeping in mind the old adage, "Many hands make light work'/ the Club would welcome the services of many mere workers, should they find it at all convenient to attend. The Club's membership stands at 162 to aate. Our interests in this crisis are net individual, they are universal, and therefore our Committee feels that the roll-call of members could be very largely increased.

"Various ways and means have been devised for the purpose of raising funds for the general working of the Club. Our Committee feels that everyone will be well pleased with the financial result to date, for the 10 months from June Ist 1915 to March 31st, 1916, our total receipts are £465 2/d, as will be subsequently seen in the Statement of Accounts.

"Early in November it was resolved in the interests of our hospital work to send a delegate to Weli.ngcon to attend the Red Cross Conlerence, so named by His Exceleney Lord Liverpool. In acordance with the wishes of the Committee the Secretary (Miss Gilbert) was appointed to attend. At a later meeting of the Club it was resolved that, in accordance with the wishes .of His Excellency, and for the better organization of Red Cross work, the Club form a part of the New Zealand Branch of the British Red Cross Society, at the same time retaining its own individuality by prefixing "TSaikape" before the mords "New Zealand," the Club to be kfiown as the "Taihape N.Z. Branch British Red Cross Society." . .-, .

"Passing ion to details, the -first work undertaken by the Club was the equipping of a bed for Trentham Military Hospital. Since it's inception the Club has steadily kept it's main purpose in view, and parcels and cases of goods and general comforts have been despatched regularly to our boys oversea. Already our Committee are in receipt of a large number of acknowledgments from the boys themselves, all testifying to the value a of the Club's work.

"In all, seven cases of goods have been sent to the hospitals at Cairo,. Malta, and Alexandria. To the first hospital ship "Maheno," we sent one case (representing in all 75 Oarticles). To the men in the trenches 214 parcels, 50 Xmas hampers and 115 tw<j pound tins of jam were sent direct. To the Central Depot in (Wellington 30 leather waistcoats were sent last year, s|id the Club is under promise to male and forward to ,Wellingtoa every Hhonth 60 housewives and holdalls f'S the men being leaving New ZealaiJß From this ycu will see that the Cl» has forwarded to the rien, directliH and indirectly, articles amounting to the grand total of nearly 400. Our Committee has voted do*

nations J.O various patriotic needs,

money ampunting to £4O. Though this work of helping our fighting men is dear to the hearts of all, and done from the love of working, yet a special measure or" praise and thanks to our energetic and devoted Mrs. Shute.

"Our Committee also desires to express it's thankfulness to Mrs. Shutei for the use of a room, to Mrs. Jorgensen and Mr. McLennan, also to Mr. J. P. Studholme, the latter for providing a more centrally situated depot, and to the Hibernians for ttta facilities afforded our work at St. Patrick's Day Sports. And to all who in any way contributed to the furtherance of the Club's noble object, outf Committee records it's thanks and appreciation."

The balance sheet shows that thfi total receipts amounted to £465 2/9, made up as follows: —Donations, £l6€ 15/-, Fees, £B4 18/-; Raffles, £B6 3/6; Socials, scales, etc. £77 19/fcf St. Patrick's Day £45 15/2; Discounts £3 11/8. The expenditure amounted to £277 5/1 made up of:—Drapery £l6B 3/11; groceries £l7 8/7; Donations £4O .5/6; posYagS,: etc., £ia 16/9; sewing machine £l2; tobacco* £4 13/6; General Expenses, £2O 16/, 10; leaving a balance ol £lB7 17/8. The liabilities were nil and the assets totalledrik£2so 9/?; made up of cash £lB7 W/8; sewing machine £l2;. stock on hand £SO 12/1.