WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1919, Page 6

WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

FUTURE WORK. I A meeting of the New Plymouth Women's Patriotic Committee was held last week, and a subsequent meeting on Moilday laift at which matters affecting the future of the committee were discussed. The Mayoress (Mrs C. H. Burgess) presided. It was decided that for the present the rooms in St. Aubyn street should be open from 2 o'clock on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The materials which are in hand are to be worked up and disposed of in readiness for the final closing of the depot, which it is expected will take place at t'..e end of March or in April. A number of the members pointed out that it would be a great pity for the body of women to cease operations altogether, and it has been decided tjjiat those who desire to shall merge into the Victoria League. During the war the New X"' outh branch of the Victoria _ ie, of which the Mayoress is the president, has been worked to all practical purposes in conjunction with the Women's Patriotic Committee. The proposed step will mean a strengthening of the Victoria League, which is an independent body and will be able to work for any object as it arises. Regarding the .funds which stand to credit in the bank account of the Women's Patriotic Committee, it has been decided that £250 shall be sent to Sir Arthur Pearson for the Blind Soldiers' and Sailors' Fund, which has always been liberally supported by the people of New Plymouth through the committee. The balance will be distributed among the various institutes at Rotorua and Cambridge which care for the invalided soldiers, with the exception that a small amount will retained to enable a continuance of the sending of comforts to the soldiers in the convalescent homes and sanatorium? in New Zealand. This week five eases, the contents of which included 1501b of cake, were sent to the Church of England Institute at Rotorua. A case of hold-alls was sent at Christmas time to the Cambridge Sanatorium. One hundred holdalls that have been cut out but not made up are now on hand. When completed they will be sent to Rotorua. Little gift parcels, containing socks, handkerchiefs, tobacco, etc., are still to be sent to these places. Basketwarc made by the soldiers at the sanatorium is still displayed for sale at the St. Aubyn Street depot. Purchasers might pause to think that the basket or tray they buy has perhaps provided the exercise required to assist in restoring the use, or partial use, of a paralysed hand or arm. Tlicre are several "wants" which citizens of the town are asked to help supply. Up-to-date magazines are needed for the soldiers in the New Plymouth Hospital and to supply the Soldiers' Club. They may be left with Mr C. E. Baker, who will place a collecting-box outside his shop in Devon street Central each day. Home-made jam is always acceptable, and can be forwarded through the patriotic depot. It should be put in tins, not breakable jars. If every housewife put one or more tinsful aside when bottling jam the result would be most pleasing for the men who enjoy home-made jam as a change from the factory-made varieties. Recent mails have brought to the Women's Patriotic Committee numerous postcards and letters for soldiers who have received gift parcels. In addition a soldier undergoing treatment in Palmerston North Hospital acknowledges a cheque for £6 10s 6d, the proceeds of sales of his basketware in New Plymouth, A donation of £IOO forwarded by the Victoria League through the High Commissioner, is acknowledged by the N.Z. Stationary Hospital, Fnmce.