PATRIOTIC WORK.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1916, Page 5

PATRIOTIC WORK.

i MEETING OP DOMINION ADVISOR! BOARD, „ By Telegraph.—Press Association, '" Wellington, Yesterday, A meeting of the Advisory Board ofl • the Federation of New , Zealand i Patriotic War Relief Societies wag held today, the Hon. J. T. Paul presiding. The Defence Minister wrote that h«| had no power to compel any soldier to make an allotment of his pay in favor; of his dependents at any tfme, but he had power under the Expeditionary Forces Act to make compulsory de* ductions for the support of dependents. The Board decided to make further representations to the Minister. It wa* reported that the secretary has asked the Minister of Defence when a man was discharged either from eamp op, after service from any cause that in< formation should at once bei given toi , the patriotic society in his district OS , enlistment, and if a pension had been! granted such should be notified. ! The Minister replied that the in< t formation could, be given, but it would! ( be necessary for the board to distribute , what information was required, by th« ■ . various societies. ' A list of discharged soldiers would be supplied to the board monthly, together with a list of the pensions issued during the month. DUcharges from camp would be obtained} through the camp commandants. The Minister also intimated that band instruments could not be provided bji the department. ' % FJTZROY FIRE BRIGADE. 9 At the East End Pavilion last n!gh( , was held a thoroughly successful plain and fancy dress ball, in aid of tha i Red Cross Fund. The popular dancing "' ■hall was crowded, and the proceeding* throughout were of a most animated nature, officials and guests vieing in malw nig the social as jolly as it oouM be. The funds of the Red Cross Society wilt benefit considerably by the function bu<J the amount actually realised was not known last night. Splendid music fot) the dancing was suppHed ,hy Mr* . George's orchestra, and Lieut. Aroa, Firemen Foote and Gunson as M.C.'a were* the right men. for the position. Upon Mrs. R. Jenkin, the lion, secretary, too) much praise cannot be bestowed, and toj her untiring efforts, and those of a few\ ladies who were rather too reluctant ta let their names appear in print, the great) success of the dance ivaa mainly due. From 9 o'clock until .10 the juvenila element preponderated and had charge of the floor. After they had had their, turn, and had been duly regaled with' refreshments, the older folk indulged in dancing, and a very pleasant time was spent. A number of prizes had been donated for fancy costumes, and in this respect much credit is duo to the originators of some extremely "good designs. Awards were made as follow:—Girls: Best fancyi dress, Dulcie Bellringer; original, Dell Roebuck (Superstition); poster, Hazel Gunson (Desert Gold Tea). Boys:! Fancy, Bertie Jenkins (Jockey); original, Thomas Rennoch (Sundowner) anq ■NevilU Roebuck (Mad Hatter). Specials were allotted as follow:-* Mrs. Burgess's prizes, Anastasia Zembai (Queen) and Douglas Roebuck '(King) j Mrs. Cock's, Elsie Parkin (Queen of tho' Butterflies); Miss Wade's, Madge Noddor (Union Jack); Dr. Wade's, Hazel Georgej (Butterfly). The awards wore made by Mesdamea Burgess, Rcnaud, and Miss Wade, Apqlogies were received for the absence of Mesdames J. Wilson and R. Cock. In all there were 42 costumes arraigned for judgment, and the decision of the Ifldica named met with every mark of approval. To-morrow's "Flower Day" will be in ' aid of the Mayoress' funds for providing Christmas comforts for the nurses at the front. This, specially deserving object should appeal to all, and if every man who traverses Devon Street to-morrow will only contribute his smallest silver coin towards the cause, a splendid result will obtain. To help and cheer those women who are so willingly devoting their lives to the care and comfort of our wounded and suffering should more i\in ordinarily appeal, and as a result of to-morrow's sale it is hoped that a really substantial Christmas hamper will bo sent from New Plymouth"' to remind the "girls"—as well as the tM boy»" —that Taranaki remembers them in the season 1 of "peace on earth." Mrs. Burgess requests all who have gardens—and who in New Plymouthh as not?—to cull as many blooms as they can possibly spare, and send them along to the depot this afternoon, or early to-morrow morning. The flower sellers to-morrow will each wear an armlet badge—a. Union Jack on a white band--to distinguish them from those selling from other purposes. Mrs. Burgess has. generously procured these badges, and those who purchase from the wearers of them will know that their contribution* will go towards the Nurses' Fund. I The Red Cross Mart will again be ' open to-morrow. No special district day has been organised, the hard-work-I ing ladies of the committee, in view of the brilliant success of the past three Saturdays, being satisfied .that a respite must be gfven not only to patrons but to themselves. Nevertheless, members of the committee will be in attendance all day. and as there is) an abundant supply of produce and useful goods in hand', the public can rest assured of obtaining some bargains. At present, the shop, owing to its rather narrow confines, is somewhat congested with supplies, such has been the generosity of North Taranaki folk, and tho committee confidently look forward to "clearing the premises" to-morrow I A collection in aid of a fund fori ' procuring Chritmas gifts for boys wha have left the Hillsborough district and are now serving "somewhere,"' was made at the Hillsborough social on Tuesday night, and the sum of, roughly, £8 wa* donated. • Mesdames Hugh Baily anct Morrison acknowledge with thanks, donations aa follow in aid of their fund for Christmas parcels for our boys at the front:' Airs. Sturtevant £1 Is, Mrs. Hirst 2sj (id. Mrs. Summer and Barbara, choco* lutes.