RED CROSS DAY.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 20 September 1917, Page 5

RED CROSS DAY.

A meeting of those Interested in •celebrating “Our Day’,, and ra ! sm> funds to assist the efforts of the Red Cross Society was held in the Supper tom of the Town Hall last night, en there were present: Mrs Batt ; Miss Gilbert, Messrs Dunbar, Munro, Peyton, Thurston, Emerson, Shanley, and Parker. His Worship the Mayor (Mr A. L. Arrowsmith) occupied the chair and in introducing the object of the meeting voiced his regret at the meagre attendance. He said that in spite of their strenuous work the Red Cross Society found it necessary to make a special effort to raise funds to carry on the noble work they had set out to accomplish. His Excellency the Governor had issued appeal on behalf of the Red Cross Society. # The executive of the Red Cross Society considered bo special effort could be undertaken without the assistance of the public, and had decided to call this meeting to see what form this should take. He invited an expression of opinion from those present on the matter. It was not necessary for him to stress .-:.4pe noble and humanitarian part the I«;d Cross Society was playing in the great war. Mr Shanley moved that a special effort should be made on “Our Day,” October 18th. The Rev. Mr Stent seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Munro suggested that a procession, sports, and other attractions should be organised, Mr Peyton said he was prepared to organise a concert in the evening, and stated that Mr A. C. Nicholls had placed the Theree Stars Picture Theatre at the service of the local branch of the Society, offering to give a programme for the benefit of any effort that might be made. -The Rev. F, W. Stent (secretary of the local branch of the Red Cross Society) said that with the valuable help of Mr Peyton they ought to be able to evolve something original. He said a procession, with the help of the school children, would be a good draw; then they could have sports motor car events, items from the school children, and other events to attract people form the country. He outlined the activities of . the Red Cross Society, an'd to show the finanrial necessities of the Society, stated that the expenses of carrying on the work amouunted to £BOOO a day. The appeal for assistance came .from the British Red Cross Society. Half the proceeds of this special effort would go to the British Red Cross Society and half to the New Zealand Red Cross Society. Mr Arrowsmith said they could not do much at this meeting. He sugested forming those present into a committee as the nucleus of a General Committee to formuluate a programme. Special committees could be formed for particular purposes. This suggestion, after some discussion, was adopted. At this stage a list of names was , handed in ? with the remark that it was hard to get-some of them to attend meetings, but when there was any work to be done they could be depended on to do it, and do it successfully. These names on the list were: Messrs Behan, Bray, Dymock, Shout, E. Neagle, Powell, Collinson, Downey, O’Callaghan, Davies. De Latour. Deacon, J. Evans, and Hintz ? and they were added to the committee. After considerable discussion it was that a committee consisting of Messrs Stent, Peyton, McLaughlan, Munro, and Beban ? be appointed t« draw up a programme, Mr Arrowsmith read a letter from Mr R. Partridge donating a cake to be competed for, and stating that owing to a physical disability he was unable to take as active a part as he would have liked, but enclosed a donation towards the effort. The assistance of the ladies of the district is to be arrangements for which will be disclosed later. The Rev, F. W. Stent was appointed treasurer. The meeting then concluded"! with a vote of thanks to the chair.