PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1918, Page 8

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

MONTHLY MEETING. Tlie monthly meeting of the New Plymouth Patriotic Committee was held at the committee's room in the Soldiers' Club last night. Mr. C. H. Burgess (chairman) presided, ajid there were also present Mrs. C. IT. Burgess, Messrs. J. W. Chaney (deputy chairman), C. Carter, W. A. Collis, C. Sadler, J. Paton, J. R. Hill, C. E. Bellringer, and L. M. Monteath (secretary). An acknowledgment was received from Sir Thomas Mackenzie (High Commissioner) of a draft of £SO towards comforts for the Maori Contingent. The colonel of tlie regiment also forwarded his personal thanks for the contribution. national committee of the Y.M.C.A. wrote acknowledging receipt of £7 17s Gd forwarded through the Patriotic Committee (from Mrs. Mills and ladies of Okato £5 10s. and Okato social £2 7s (id) for the Y.M.C.A. work. The secretary reported that a receipt bad been forwarded to the ladies concerned. An appeal from the Church Army for further assistance was deferred till" next meeting for consideration.

An appeal was also received for assistance for the French War Orphans Fund. —It was decided, on the suggestion of Mrs. Burgess, to hand the appeal over to the Women's Patriotic Committee for consideration. Mrs. Burgess was added to the comforts and Y.M.C.A. committee in place of the late Mr. H. Goodacre, The resignation of Mr. J. Clarke as a member of tho committee was accepted with regret. The chairman stated that he had had an interview with Captain Urquhart (a returned soldier) in respect to the expenditure of regimental funds at the front. Captain Urquhart stated definitely 'that tho money was spent on the men, and none of it went to the officers. It was used to supplement the ordinary rations, which, although abundant, were not sufficiently varied. In the winter it was used to supply the men with hot drinks ill the night while in the trenches, and in the summer in procuring fresh vegetables. The company officers had to account to the commander of the regiment for every penny received. Accounts amounting to £2 19s were passed for payment. The treasurer's statement showed the receipts for the month had been £5 18s Od, and the expenditure £57 Us 3d. The balances in hand at present were' Patriotic Fund, £345 lis lis; hire of motor ear fund, £25; Wounded Soldiers' Fund £1 los.