TAIHAPE AND DISTRICT PATRIOTIC SOCIETY.

Taihape Daily Times, 14 May 1919, Page 4

TAIHAPE AND DISTRICT PATRIOTIC SOCIETY.

A meeting of the above Society was beld on Monday night. There were present; Messrs Wrightson (chair), James, Neagle, Loader, Howden, Lenihan, and Aldridge. Apologies were received from Messrs Arrowsmith and Darvill.

The reports of the Executive and Returned Soldiers ’ Gommittc-es were read and adopted.

Mr Howden, on behalf of the Visiting Committee, reported that all trains with troops aboard had been mot, and’ the hospital visited regularly, comforts being supplied to any soldiers therein, the amount expended for the month being £2 16/.

It was decided that a letter be sent to the Defence Department, pointing, <• out that the accommodation at Taihapc was not sufficient to cater for oyer - 400 men, but should at any future time 1 V the train be timed to stop here for any length of time to provide a meal for th e soldiers, the Society would be glad to have the particulars beforehand, so that they could make suitable arrangements for the provisioning of the men. and not have a repetition of what occurred on Saturday night last, when soldiers by the Northumberland, in some eases, w-ovc unable- to procure anything to oat. Mr Arthur Jams, who has been connected with the Society since its inception. said it was with regret he had to tender his resignation as Chairman of the Returned Soldiers’ Sub-Commit-tee, as he felt ho could not give full justice to the position without interfering with his business.

Mr Neaglc spoke of the magnificent work Mr James had done for the Society, and moved that his resignation be accepted with great regret. Mr S. Powell seconded, and spoke in eulogistic terms of the way Mr James liad so ably carried out his duties. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr James was carried by acclamation. Mr Janies briefly returned (hanks. It was decided to write to the Railway Department, drawing its attention » to the fact tha the troop trains were v not provided with steam heaters, and "W many complaints had been received from returned soldiers, some of whom wore in indifferent health. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.