TAIHAPE WOMEN’S WORKING CLUB.

Taihape Daily Times, 24 April 1918, Page 4

TAIHAPE WOMEN’S WORKING CLUB.

The annual meelling. of the above \Jlud was hem last lagut, about twen-ty-five members being present. Mr. D. Neagle occupied me ch.-a.ic.

The chairman, in a is .v introductory remarks, said many were unavoidably absent; but the work of the past season proved that they were with them w T hen any woi'k had to be done.

The Secretary (Miss Kennedy) then read the report of the past season s work as follows:

Despatch of Parcels—Keeping in view the object of the Club, viz, “The providing of comforts for our soldiers in hospital and field,” it is pleasing to report that during the past 12 months over 3000 parcels have been forwarded to our Boys. These parcels have been forwarded every month, and are valued at from 7/6 to 10/ each, the weight being up to. 31bs, and the cost of postage being 1/. The forwarding of parcels has not been our only work, monetary donations have been made in the following manner: —£45 to the N. Z. General Hospital in London, to provide extra comforts and entertainments for our convalescent soldiers, the money being sent to the High Commissioner, through the Department of Internal Affairs, also £ls to Dr. Agnes Bennett, in Mesopotamia. In addition to the ordinary monthly despatch of parcels, we sent away 275 Xmas Parcels, the average cost including postage being 17/6 each. Mr-king up of Parcels. —The packing of the parcels was left in the hands of Mesdames Miller and' Turnbull, who have been active members of the Club since its inception. Too much praise cannot be given to these ladies, who have sacrificed so much time in this work, and we are pleased to say that the acknowledgments received from the recipients testify to the splendid condition of the parcels an arrival, due in a great measure to the excellent manner in which they w r ere packed. , Sewing, of Parcels. —This, is also a very arduous task, A Committee wasappointed -fpr This special work, comprising : JVfesd.ames Bennett, McDon- ; /did) ■Plummer and Miss . Spooner, these ladies 4 undertaking to find their own assistants, and moreover, guaranteeing the requisite number of parcels each month. In justice'we must'say that the parcels always' ready for addressing and posting in good time every month, and to these ladies and their assistants wdio have worked so zealously, our Club records its

thanks and appreciation. Addressing of Parcels. —The Secretary received much assistance in this work, and wishes to specially thank Misses Bennett, Carpenter and Donovan, also Mr. Munro, for the help they gave. : Acknowledgment Cards—lt was considered advisable to have these acknowledgment cards printed, so that the recipients could notify the Club' of any change of address, as well as to acknowledge receipt of parcels. These cards are enclosed in each parcel, and arc returned in great numbers every mail, besides letters of thanks for parcels received. This is very gratifying to us, to know that our efforts are so much appreciated.

Finance. —As the funds of the Club are now becoming very low, efforts are being made to raise a further £ISOO to carry on its work of usefulness during the ensuing 12 months, and we are pleased to report that about £4OO has already been collected for that purpose.

Stock on Hand.—The stock on hand at the end of March, 1918, totalled £495 5s lid.

The balance-sheet showed that during the year £1377 16s 6d had been spent in purchasing soldiers’ comforts; that receipts amounted to £654 12s 8d; the excess of expenditure over receipts was £955 Is Id; balance at bank £490 14s 4d; assets, including stock in hand, £996 0s 31d; and liabilities, nil.

Mr. R. W. Smith, M.P., in speaking to the motion adopting the report and balance-sheet, said how much they all appreciated the work done by the Women’s Working Work of this sort falls on the shoulders of tee few, and reflects the very greatest credit on these willing workers. He was astonished at the volume of businescs accomplished, and it is only on such occasions that one realises the existence of the Club. The assistance and comforts provided for the men who were carrying the burden of our present struggle was really astonishing. Special thanks were due to the retiring president, Mrs. ShutsPerhaps without her the Club would not be in its present, favourable position. He hoped her retirement would only bo a temporary one. He congratulated the Cluh and all in connection with it on the noble work they had done and were still doing. He could not tel! them how preud he and others ::z:c of therm.

Mr. Neagle thanked Mr. Smith for km iunu remarks, and hoped the coming year would be as successful as

the cue just concluded. The report and balance-sheet was adopted unanimously. . .

The election of officers resulted as follows; —Patroness, Mrs. Studhdlme; President, Mrs. R. W. Smith; vicepresidents, Mesdames Turnbull, Me-. Auiiife, Miller and McDonald; treasurer, Mrs. Boyd; secretary, Miss Kennedy; asisstaint-secretary, Miss Bennett; Committee: Mesdames Plummer, Bennett, Dunbar, Thurston, Knox, White, Clark, Fookes, Crawford, Spooner, Gardner; Misses McDonell and Relling; advisory board, Messrs Neagle, J. Evans, Clark, Carroll, and Thurston.

A letter of apology was read from Mrs. ; Shute, in which she wished the Club continued prosperity. The following country representatives were appointed:—Hihitahi, Mrs. Arthur; Tiriraukawa, Mrs. Parsons; Mataroa, Mrs. May; Moawhango, Mrs. P. Batley; Pukeokahu, Mrs. A. K. Overton; Utiku, Mrs. Gilchrist; Taoroa, Mrs. Smith. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to all the officers and members who had worked so hard during the past year or; the motion of Mr. -Neagle, who said they bad all worked very strenuously for the hoys in the trenches, and the innumerable letters they had received from the soldiers was a striking testimony to their appreciation, and in which they stated how pleased they were to think they had been remembered by the good people of Taihape. Mr. Smith said the number of parcels sent by the Club was quite 'remarkable, and gave the public an idea how consistently the members worked. It was not altogether the value of the parcels sent that appealed to our boys, but it was the spirit of the senders which made our soldiers think they had something to live for and something to fight for. The motion was carried by acclamation.

Just before the meeting closed, Mr. Neagle eulogised the work done by the Club for the...sufferers by the recent bush fires. Shortly -After-the fire the Club got. to work and sent cases ■of. goods to Raetihi.'■ The -actual work done' in this , connection:Vas a hun-dred-fold . greater .thandeutsiaers had any idea of. It was hiot> bhiy in connection with our soldiers ’ that the. Club was -prepared tc^lsthour, but in any other field where assistance was required. ■ ■

The meeting then adjourned, with a vote of thanks to the chair. "