STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD.

rPATRIOTIC GIFT SALE. Stratford, March !). The meeting of the committer am! can- ( vassora in connection with the rccnut gift ', auction sale ill aid of the Wounded ( Soldiers Fund was held thin afternoon. The Mayor (Mr. J. \V. McMillan) was - in the chair. The secretaries submitted the following roue.li balance-sheet: —ileceipu: Ca:;h donations £1229 Is, sale of stock, foods, etc., £1924 l'Js '2d—total £315-1 < Os 2d. Expenditure: Purchase of stock 1 (on which a profit of £l2O was made) £782 5s 2d, railage and cartage £,' i 13s, i droving and stubling £1 10s 0;!. sun- i dries £l 2a, printing and advertising '. .(liay) £25, credit balance £2:>.'S!) ;is >)•! — ; S.'.'li>i 0s 2d. The figures were f;i, ,;>r i improved hy sales of stock unpaid £l5O, stock and donations yet unpaid £10(1, Mr. T. H. Penn's section unsold (esti- ■ mated at Cnrlierry's sec- I tion, estimated at £tlo, and Stratford Racing Club's donation £IOO (to be paid in January, H)19). The chairman said it wag very gratifying to note the excellent results achieved. The patriotic committee were very grateful for the results secured. There had been an immense amount of work to secure such a line total. The auctioneers and canvassers had done their work very •thoroughly. Mr. J.' B. Richards desfrod to endorse the remarks of their chrvirman. He also added to the apprcciatory remarks those who -had made cash donations and stock. ,[t was a great pleasure to the committee to be associated with such a- movement. Town and district had done their best. It was not more than they should expect, and an indication that the public were going to do the right thing to the men who were fighting, lie paid a tribute to the work of the secretaries (Messrs Crawshaw and Grant). The success of the appeal was largely due to their work. The committee lm<! no trouble, although the secretaries.had details to attend to that were of a worrying nature, showing the committee were fortunate in having such men to take up these duties. The canvassers had been very thorough in their work. They had met with a few rafusak lint the least said about it perhaps the better. He moved a vote of thanks to the i»uor3 of stock and cash and the auctioneers and canvassers. Mr. W. P. Kirkwood seconded the motion. The result was very gratifying, and spoke well for the enthusiasm of town and district. The results aciiieved showed teat Stratford had the best average for the Wounded Soldiers fund in Taranaki. (Applause.) They would need all the money they could gather in the future to me.et the requirements of the men at the I front, and also those who would l:c going to the trendies. These men had to be considered, and lie C'juhl assure them that the War Relief Association would net have too much :noney to handle. He would also like to assure the public that every recommendation placed before the association had received careful considerationMr. Hewitt added his congratulations on the successful results secured. They had found the town and country very sympathetic towards the proposal. Mr. Kendriek (Tariki) said he thought it was the duty of the Government to attend to the wants of soldiers and their dependents. He wa3 as keen as any man to assist, bi-.fc lie reiterated that the Government should make provision ror the men returning from tjie front and in need of assistance. Mr. Kirkwood said all agreed that it was a Government, job, and the Government were doing their best, but the public could also assist. They all recognised the position, and must carry out their work. The balance-sheet as submitted was carried. The question of holding nnother meeting was raised, and it w;i3 decided to hold it on Saturday, 23rd inst. Mr. Crawshaw thought that as that day had been fixed upon as the appeal day on behalf of the lied Triangle they should have no difficulty in getting a good attendance, when a final clearing up would be made. Votes of thanks were then passed to the secretaries, all those assisting, and the press. Messrs Richards, Kirkwood, and the chairman were the speakers to the motion, the vote being acknowledged by both secretaries, who, in happy and complimentary speeches, acknowledged their pleasure at their efforts being appreciated and testifying to the assistance they had received from the committee. A similar vote to the chair concluded the meeting. GENERAL. Mr. D. R. Turnbull, a member of the Main Body, and who returned from- the trenches some time hack, has resumed his position with Mr. Bcsley, and will undertake the management of the Stratford branch of the Modern TailorsStratford district is establishing a record for military awards. One of the latest in this respect is that given to Captain tV. I?. Foley, who has been moving round with the mounteds in Egypt and elsewhere for the last two years. He has been decorated with the Military Cross and he has thoroughly earned it Besides the medal he has another memento in the shape of a fractured leg, caused by shell-fire, and this injury is necessitating his return to New Zealand. He should be in sight of Mt. Egmont before many weeks have passed. The "Ucan" haircutter has proved a popular article in the household. Mr. C. E. James, agent for this district, has been notified that the Government contemplates purchasing some for use with members of the Defence Department. It is a unique gift that would be much appreciated, particularly by those in the trenches, as with a.gift of this description a soldier could always keep his hair clipped short, and thus be spared a good deal of misery and irritation. An invitation is given to all to see the "Ucan* haircutter.—Advt.