STRATFORD PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

ANNUAL MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Yesterday The annual public meeting of the above committee was held in the Borough Chambers this afternoon. His )Vorship the Mayor (J. W. Boon), presided over a rcpiosntative gathering including several ladies. The chairman, in moving the annual report, and balance-sheet, remarked that during the year a great deal of work had been done and in many '-.stances the public were not aware of the work done in the country. He was pleased to see that the town and country had banded together ami with the pleasing result that a large amount had been collected. The most important fund was that for the wounded sold and they wohM require all the cash that could be collected to help our boys when they returned. Since the last annual meeting, the committee had been registered, and affiliated with the Taranaki War Relief Association. He wished to refer to the assistance given by the ladies of the district, very few people realised the amount of work and time given by them, and they deserved .to be complimented for their organisation and work done. (Applause). The work and time given by the honorary secretary \Mr. J. W. McMillan) also deserved special mention. Further, Mr. ICirkwood, as chairman, had ably assisted him in carrying out his duties.

Mr. W. P. Kirkwood, in seconding, said that the two amounts donated by the Midhirst and Stratford Dairy Companion. must not be overlooked, but regarding the amount promised by the Midhirst Dairy Company, although shown in the balance-sheet, ihe money had not actually been paid in, out he had no doubt the matter had been overlooked, and they would soon receive the amount. Further, he hoped to still enlist the sympathies of all dairy companies in donating further amounts to (lie Soldiers' Fund. He wished to refer to the work done by Mr. D. J. Malone in the success achieved by Soldiers' Day. (Applause). The amount collected in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund was very satisfactory, but they had still a lot to do, and must not relax, tlieir efforts. The ladies, and various country committees also deserve mention for the splendid work done during the year. Mr. J. B. .Richards congratulated the committee on the results of the past year's work. He thought the amount to the general fund was geting depleted, and he thought the public should be made aware that the amount was getting low and required assistance. Mr. W. H. Were (Toko) said he was very pleased that Mr. Richards liad brought the matter up. The Toko Committee had discussed the matter, and it was felt that country committees would have to set aside an amount to meet their general expenses. , The balance-sheet and report was tllcn adopted. J GENERAL COMMITTEE.

The following were elected members of the General Committee: Messrs. T. H. Peim, D. J. Malone. W. P. Kirkwood, <T. B. Richards, J. Masters, J. W. McMillan, A. F. Grant, W. J. Crawsluuv, Geo. Hall, R. Dingle (Stratford Dairy Co.), R. Orr (Ngaere Dairy Co.), T. Bradley (Whanga Patriotic Committee), Gernhocfer (Toko Patriotic Committee). ■J. Hucker (Tariki Patriotic Committee). Mr. Dingle said it was all very ivell to talk about the dairy people giving all they could, but what about the wool and the meat people, were they doing their little bit? (Hear! Hear!). His Worship the Mayor said he could not say, but he had no doubt all were doing their best, probably the new committee would devise means of appealing to the people mentioned by Mr. Dingle. It was decided to hold the annua! meeting in future in the month of July. A hearty vote ofy thanks to the outgoing committees, honorary secretary, chairman, ladies, and the press, concluded the meeting.