STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Yesterday. PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE. A meeting of the general committee was held in the Borough Council chambers to-day. 'Present: Messrs. W. P. Kirkwood, J. Masters, R. Dingle, D. J, Malone, A. P. Grant, Reed, Howard, J. W. Boon, T. H. Penn, G. W. Mills, E. Coleman, J. Thomas, C. Jackson, M. Gernohefer, J. T. Belcher, J. W. McMillan, A. Meredith, A. Coyne, T. R. Anderson, and J. McAllister.

Mr. W. P. Kirkwood said that since the public meeting the old executive had remained in office and carried on the work until the dairy companies and other bodies had appointed their delegates. The present meeting was to elect a chairman, secretary and treasurer, and executive committee.

His Worship the Mayor was appointed chairman of the general committee. Mr. J. B. Richards was appointed secretary, subject to his acceptance of same. Several speakers spoke of the good work Mr. Richards had done for the past executive, and a hope was unanimously expressed that he would again accept the position.

Mr. T. 11. Penn was appointed treasurer.

The following gentlemen were appointed an Executive Committee:—Messrs. J. W. Boon, J. Masters, R. Dingle, A. F. Grant, A. Meredith, W. P. Kirkwood, and Rev. C. Howard.

Mr. Kirkwood said that at the conference of Patriotic Committees in Wellington, Hon. Mr. Herdman had agreed to establish bureaux for returned soldiers. The idea was that the bureaux would keep a register of all returned soldiers. An effoTt would be made to obtain employment for them. The bureaux would work in conjunction with the 'Patriotic Committees throughout New Zealand.

Mr. Dingle asked if the committee had any rules. He hoped the Executive Com. mittee would keep in touch with the General Committee. They had attended well to-day, and he hoped it would be so at ruture meetings. , It was decided that the General Committee meet quarterly in such times as the Executive thinkß advisable, Mr. Boon said that the Ladies' Committee had asked for a grant of £2O to purchase material to make sand bags. Mr. Dingle said he hoped the Committee would give all the assistance possible to the ladies, seeing they were prepared to do the work. He mentioned the fact that basic slag bags were especially required, and he felt that if the farmers only know these were wanted they would readily respond.

It was decided to make the grant. The Mayor moved a hearty vote of thanks to the past Committee for their services. This was seconded by Mr. Coyne and carried. Mr. Kirkwood returned thanks on behalf of the old Committee. He said a lot of feeling had crept in over the question of £5 voted for expenses to Wellington. Both Mr. Richards and himself had received £5 each, but this was for hotel and travelling expenses; he was Mr. Richards had never charged a farthing for services rendered.

NOTES. Messrs. H. Wilson and Son have offered to make up a bolt of Hessian into sand bags for our boys at the front. Messrs. Wilson and Son were heartily thanked for their kind offer at to-day's Patriotic Committee meeting. The Borough Council met last evening to discuss loan proposals, but decided to adjourn the meeting unf such lime a« they were assured of being able to get the money if the ratepayers sanctioned a loan.