STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD.

PATRIOTIC MEETING,

(From Our Own Correspondent). Stratford, ysterday.

A meeting- of the general committee of the Patriotic Committee was held this afternoon, his Worship the Mayor, Mr J. W. Boon, chairman of the committee, in the chair. Also present were: Messrs. T. E. Coleman, J. Masters, Shirley, A. Meredith, Gernofer, Alldridge, D J. Malone, J. T. Belcher, Rev. Pattison, Adjutant Cox, Dingle, Kirkwood, H. Penu, J. .McAllister, Sangster, Thomas, Grant, and J. McMillan (secreary). "" . The chairman said the meeting had been called to consider the question of holding a gift auction sale of work. Mr Abraham had been invited to be present in order to give any particulars the meeting desired. Mr Abraham, manager for Mr Newton King, said his firm had been approached by many'farmers to hold a sale in connection with the second Hospital Ship Fund, but the fund had closed before the project could be carried out. He then thought it would be possible to get a big stock sale in aid of the Sick and Wounded Fund, about? the latter end of January next. He felt sure the auctioneers in Stratford would only be too pleased to work in conjunction witli the Patriotic Committee. The project would need a lot of working up and could be made a big tiling if properly organised.

Mr. Dingle thought the end, of January would be a good time to hold the sale, because there would be plenty of well-grown calves at that time. Mr. Masters wanted to know if Mr. Abraham suggested that the whole affair should be left to the auctioneers to work up.

Mr. Abraham said it would ba necessary to have at least two of the Patriotic Committee to work in conjunction with them.

Mr. Masters thought that if the project was to be made a success it would be necessary to have representatives of the committee in each district, in order to canvass for gifts of stock, and see that the stock was sent to the sale,

Mr. Dingle moved that a gift stock sale be held late in January. Mr. Masters seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr. Abraham said he thought Mr. Masters' idea was a good one, to have a canvasser in each district and get the stock sent in.

The chairman said he heartily agreed with the proposal, and it was necessary for the Patriotic Committee to help the auctioneers in every way.

Mr. Thomas asked what were the funds for. r The chairman: The Wounded Soldiers' Fund.

Mr. Dingle said it was a pity they could not spare a bit for the Belgian Fund.

: Mr. Kirkwood: TJie Wounded Soldiers' Fund needs all we can possibly collect. Mr. Masters moved that the auctioneers of Stratford lie asked to organise a gift auction sale of stock, and that tliey work in conjunction with the Patriotic Committee.—Seconded by Mr. Kirkwood and carried.

.Mr. Thomas thought it was putting too much work on the auctioneers to ask them to organise the sale. Mr. Abraham said he understood that the work in the outside districts would be done by the Patriotic Committee. That was the hardest work, canvassing for the stock.

Rev. Pattison said the Patriotic Committee should shoulder the responsibility. It was very kind of the auctioneers to offer their help, and they should accept their kind offer. The motion was carried. Mr. Kirkwood moved that all members of the general committee be asked to canvass their respective districts for gifts of stock, and report the result of their work from time to time. Seconded by Mr. G. Sangster and carried.

Messrs. Malone and Masters were appointed a committee to work in conjunction with the auctioneers.

The chairman said the executive committee would like to know how the country districts were getting on as regards donations towards the Red Cross Funds.

Mr. Gernhofer said he had collected over £2OO in the Toko district, and would hand in the amount by tiie end of the week (Applause). Mr. Grant asked if anything had been done regarding the luncheon at the forthcoming dog show. He understood the ladies' committee would like to undertake it. His Worship said that nothing had been done in the matter. GFAERAL. At a special meeting of the councillors and employees of the Borough Council, it was decided to hold a social in the Town Hall on Thursday, November 11th.

The function will take the form of a welcome to returned troopers and send off to men leaving with the next batch of reinforcements. Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P., has been invited to give a recruiting address, and members of local bodhs will also be invited to attend.

Mr. H. Webber, of Te Puke, formerly a well-known farmer in this district, is on a visit to Stratford.

The Stratford Croquet Club opens their season on Thursday next. The County Council require a surfaceman for the Puniwhakau Riding. Full particulars can be seen in our advertising columns.