New Zealand.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 299, 27 May 1915, Page 8

New Zealand.

THE NATIONAL FUND. MEKTIXCi OF J)KI-K(!ATKS. By 'telegraph.—L'iAssociation. Well'nglon, .May, ili. Tlic conference of mayors and district ropreijimliiUus called by -Mr. J. P. Luke, mayor of 'Wellington. to discuss 111:; proposal to establish a i'uiid, was '.'.eh! to-day and attended by a dozen delegates. -Mr. Luke strongly advocated the, 'National Fund, pointing out tlmt men from one district were enlisting in another, lie suggested that the fund he in charge of the Public Trustee and a hoard of trustees consisting of the mayors of tlic chief centres, and that representatives tile provincial districts lie appointed. Other speakers favored the national idea, while others opposed it on the ground that it would destroy a lot of tlic enthusiasm of local committees and subscriptions would not lie so freely given. At tlic same time the general opinion was expressed that soon a. uniform system would be adopted to prevent overlapping. Eventually the conference went into committee to discuss proposals to lay before the Prime Minister and -Minister THE HOSPITAL SHIP. Wellington, May 20. The Internal Affairs Department has received „CIiT2S for the Hospital Ship Fund. The Governor has issued a list of goods required for the equipment of the hospital ship. They include various Ivinds of clothing-, bed clothes .bandages, and two additional motor launches. Besides | those about £25,000 in cash will be required.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FUNDS. Marton, May 20. The Culls Gala Day Committee yesterday, forwarded ,ClolM> to the Belgian fund and £SO to the hospital ship. The Marton Jockey Club further donated £SO to the hospital ship and £5 a month each to the Belgian fmul and the Marton patriotic workers. The Rangitikei AdTocate's list for the hospital ship has now reached £SOO. AVaipawa, May 20. The patriotic committee voted £OO to the dependents' fund, £3O to the Servian fund, £3O to the hospital ship, and £2O to the Belgian fund. Hastings, May 23. The patriotic committee has voted '£soo of its funds for the equipment of the hospital ship. A local amateur musical comedy company, the Mascots, who within the last View weeks have raised £750 for the Belgian fund, Avon another £7OO last night by their performance and flag selling. j ANOTHER WAR GOSSIP. Christehurcb, Last Night. The hear.ing of the charge against Wm. •Sigglekow of circulating reports calculated to prejudicially affect recruiting of his Majesty's forces, including the New Zealand defence forces, was eoneluded to-day. In giving judgment the Magistrate said that Sigglekow acted a little more extravagantly than he admitted he did. His words should have been used with more caution or he might have said more, than he thought he did. His Worship thought that whatever, Sigglekow did say was addressed to his wife only, and was not intended for other people. The charge was dismissed. MEAT FOR THE ARMY, Wellington, Last Night. 111 the period 3rd March to 24th May the Imperial .Meat Supply Department has purchased for the Imperial authorities 72,042,7731b of meat at a total cost of £1,013,030 10s lid. Of this quantity the purchases in the. North Island amounted to 44,498,5721b, at a cost of £953,080 <ls Id, and in th<! South Island 25,414,20.1 lb, at a cost of £055,t)51i 10s 7d. FOOTBALL AND TUB WAR. Auckland, Last Night. Active steps are at present being taken by the Auckland Rugby Union with a view to making sure that aH'footballers under its auspices are doing their share in the war crisis, and the following circular letter has been issued by the secretary of the Union (Mr. C. V. Langsfortl) to all clubs which are under the, jurisdiction of the Union:—''Acting on the suggestion of Colonel Major, I shall be glad if you will kindly let me have as early as possible the number of players in training in any of the following: (1) senior cadets (2) territorials, (3) national reserve. I need hardly point out the necessity for all to do their utmost to become as efficient as possible, and while we have every reason to feel more than gratified with the ready response of our players to take their share in the d"fenee of our Empire, one cannot help thinking that there are still number'; of us who, though not able for various reasons to go to the front, are not taking our share of the burden aAd fitting ourselves for the defence of our Dominion should the necessity arise. I therefore ask you to let me have as soon as possible the information asked for, so that with that ibefore us we may then consider the position with a view to calling the clubs together and .see in what way we can assist in this cause. I trust that you v ill make this request urgent and let have the. information asked for as early as possible." IN MEMORY OF WILDING. Wellington, Last Night. Steps are to be taken to establish a memorial to the late <'Ai>fyun Anthony Wilding. The coiineil Zealand Tennis the- management committee ate a shilling fund among tennis payors, 'part to be spent 011 a memorial in ChrUtcluireh, Wilding's birthplace, and the balance op Anthony Wilding trophies for tie Kevr Zealand championship singles, ladies'' and gentlemen's. MONEY FROM FOOTBALLERS,. r*' " Wellington, ia»t Night. The New Zeahind ~&igby>-Union tohight decided that on the establishment of a national fund it would vote £10(1 for the relief of wounded New Zealand soldiers and sailors and the dependents ' of those who fall.