ELTHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 January 1918, Page 3

ELTHAM.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Eltham, Jan. 11. It was not surprising, indeed rather ] 1.0 be expected, that the members of the Overseas Club here should recognise the efforts of the secretary, Mr. W." D. Ross, ■file annual meeting was held on Friday evening, and occasion was taken of this attendance of members to present the Secretary With a life member's certificate. He lias well merited the honor and also] the generous expressions regarding his good work and enthusiasm made by the president (Mr. C. H. White) and Mr. G. D. Gow. The club has had a very successful career since it was called into being by Mr. Ross and a few of his friends, the membership being now larger than ever. It has been the means of allowing many a weary soldier to pass an otherwise depressing hour, solaced by liis pipe and tobacco. I don't know how mafiv tins of cigarettes have been forwarded, but I do know that Mr. Ross holds many letters of thanks from soldiers grateful for the consideration shown by the club. The officers elected for.the next term were: Patrons, Messrs C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., and ,T. :Hcslop; president, 0. 11. White (re-elected); vicepresident, 0. W. Bennett; secretary and treasurer, W. D. Ross (re-elected); committee, .J; Bleakley, G. H. Buckeridge, A. Cronin, W. E. Carter, Drayton, 0. Flygcr, G. D. Gow, A. Kemp, Owen, and E. Parrott, Mesdames C. H. White, C. Wilson, Tosswill, G. W. Bennett, and Canter, Miss Sorbie. Mr. E. Parrott has been appointed secretary and treasurer to the fund now being opened up here to recognise the patriotic efforts made by Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Barnard, who are'leaving Eltham for Wellington. Mr. Barnard was very quiet and retiring, but Mrs. Barnard figured prominently in anything of a patriotic nature and was at the head of the Belgian Sewing Guild, her most notuble achievement being the collection, without any assistance, of over £7OO for a motor ambulance.' Six of the sons went to the front, two have "gone west" and two returned home invalided. The intention is to present the departing Elthamites with an illuminated address and purse of sovereigns, and if ever recognition of this description was earned, surely it is in this particular instance. The Belgian Guild, formed !)y Mrs. Barnard, is really a misnomer. Originally it was started to help the Belgians, but for a. long time past lias devoted all its energies to providing needful comforts for soldiers in the trenches. Word reaches me that the Foresters intend holding a big night next week.