SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SOLDIERS’ CHILDREN.

Taihape Daily Times, 6 November 1918, Page 5

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SOLDIERS’ CHILDREN.

AN UNDENOMINATIONAL MOVEMENT. A large and representative gathering of Taihape citizens took place in the Borough Council Chambers on Monday afternoon. The meeting was held to meet Mr William Lints, the organiser for the Trentham Dominion Scholarship and to hear from him details of the funds aims and objects.

The Mayor, Mr. A. L. Arrowsmith, presided, and in introducing Mr Lints said although it was a little unfortunate that two important meetings should fall on the same day, such a victory as they were celebrating that day was likely to open the hearts of men if they, were to bo opened at all. The Dominion Scholarship Fund was for doing something for those left by the sacrifice of their lives in fighting at the front. The trustees Sj|)oke for .the importance , and need for such a fund. They were Major-General Eobin, Colonel Potter and Dr. Anderson. The chairman was Mr, Sydney Kirkcaldie, and the secretary, Mr James Mclntosh. On the Committee, were such men as Mr. Harold B’eauchamp (Chairman of the Bank of New Zealand) William Watson (a director of the Bank of New Zealand) and others. He understood they could not put very definite proposals as it was not known what money would be available, but they had set out to raise £IOO,OOO. It was intended to cut out this sura in scholarships is about 25 years. Mr Lints was on his way to Auckland to give concerts and exhibitions there in aid of a great Dominion Art Union that had been instituted for raising the whole sum required, and he thought that Taihape might have a visit from the Trentham Band and bayonet fighters consisting of 65 members; if so it would be necessary to billet them free while they were here. He then asked Mr Lints to explain details to the meeting. Mr Lints said it was not possible to tell the intentions of the supervisors on the fund ? they would have to be guided by the success the project met with. It was really an after war problem that should not be tampered with. The scheme originated with Colonel Potter at Trentham Camps, who came to the conclusion that scholarships should be provided for the children of the men who had made the supreme - sacrifice. Colonel Potter submitted his idea to Dr. Riddell, who was greatly impressed, and at once stated that it should be made a Dominion affair, and that the goal should be £IOO,OOO. It was subsequently decided to found and Art Union to raise the money, this art union to extend over all New Zealand, special permission having to be obtained from the Minister of International Affairs. Colonel Potter allowed the Trentham Band to go on a ticket soiling tour and in that tour £BOO to £IOOO had been made. Mr Lints remarked that he had been . through Taihape before, but ho had no ,i idea that it was such a solid business centre. The Band could give an excellent concert in the evening as it was also a complete orchestra. It Would not only be entertaining from (fen amusement pyint of view, but it would also be instructive as the bayonet fighters gave»a' good display. All classes of society had enthusiasticallytaken .the Dominion Scholarship Fund Businessmen never realised at any time the value of education as they do at the present tiffke. The aim is to raise the £IOO,OOO to give boys and girls the same or better, as if their

fathers had been alive. It was impossible to say to what extent the scheme would bo carried because they did not know what money would be raised. The promoters wore desirous to bring into consideration the circumstances of the dhild, everything would have to be considered and no stress of circumstances were to be allowed to operate against the pooiei children. Mayors of boroughs throughout the Dominion were enthusiastically taking the project up. If the sale of tickets in the art union is taken up in Taihape they would have as much voice in the affair as people in Wellington or elsewhere. It is the biggest Art Union that .has ever been run in worth of prices already given. To show New Zealand. There were £6285 the magnitude of the thing the printing of tickets was costing £2OO, and it would have been more had they a.l been one face value, but to redue cost they issued £l, £5, £lO and £IOO tickets each having its proportionate value in the lowest ticket value. All prizes are of a confirmed value; as an investment it was distinctly better than Tattersalls, and, besides, none of this money was going out of the Dominion. Taihape should be able to take at least £SOO worth of tickets, in fact, they had already had applications tickets from Taihape. . The Art Union would be advertised in the Taihape Daily Times and all advertising bills and literature would be supplied free; the Trentham band and concert party would stay in Taihape one day ? if they were billetted, to assist and all Taihape had to do was sell the tickets. For any little expense that might be incurred not provided for an allowance of 24 per cent on the total sum raised would bo allowed. All they had .to do was to sell the £SOO worth of tickets or return them. If a committee of Taihape men handled it there would bo loss cost to the fund than if men were specially employed who wc.uld require payment for their services. The Trentham Band could arrive here in about 10 or 1 2days time, by the 6.30 a.m. train; they would remain the whole day, and it was for the Taihape people to say what should bo done with them while here. Mr Lints said he was satisfied that if they got* the band they would receive good value for their outlay. Before going into further details of organisation be would like to getj opinions as to what Taihape would do. . .

The Mayor moved that this representative meeting a "range with Mr. Lints for the Trentham B'and to call at Taihape bn its way down from the north.

Mr f A. James seconded the resolution which, was unanimously carried without discussion..

The Mayor suggested that for the .afternoon an entertainment on the Recreation Reserve might be arranged in which the Band would be the chief attraction. In the Town Hall in the evening the concert party would provide the whole programme. If the Band could arrive on a Thursday it would greatly assist the committee’s effort as Thusday was the statutory half holidav.

The committee was then set up on the proposal of Mr. James, to act in conjunction with the Taihape Patriotic Committee.

Billetting for 48 members of the Band and Concert Company was promised in the room.

In reply to a question Mr Lints, said the proposed scholarships were strictly undenominational; it mattered not whether children attended the State or any private schools.

With a vote of thanks to Mr Lints and the chairman the meeting closed.