RED CROSS SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 April 1919, Page 7

RED CROSS SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETINa ' Probably owing to other meetings or else the knowledgo that the war is over militated against the attendance of members at the annual meeting of the Bed Cross Society held last evening in St. Mary's Schoolroom. Dr. Leatham presided over the meeting, which was mainly composed of ladies.

The annual report stated that wlien the influenza visited the town the Red Cross workers supplied various articles for the V.A.D. workers, but other Red Cross fixtures had to be abandoned, Work at the mart was given up altogether, but from February to November the sum of £2' 15 17s 8d was raised at the shop, and £364 17s 6d,collected by concerts held on behalf of the mart. The ttfanks of the committee were due to those devoted workers who organised and carried put this important branch of the society's work, and thus relieved the officers of a considerable amount of anxiety and worry during the whole period of the war. The mart committee was grateful for assistance rendered by the nurses, country residents, Girls' High School, Sports Club, religious societies, Boys' High School, etc., also Mrs. Hugh Baily, who organised "Our Day" appeal as in the past. The sewing room had forwarded fortnightly to Wellington cases of goods for redistribution, the total for the year being 3287 garments. Since November they had been informed that no garments need be sent to England,' but' the New Zealand returned men had to be supplied, and a stock is held in reserve for emergencies. . Monthly gifts of £5 to Featherston military hospital far comforts, and to each outgoing transport steamer had ceased. Motor drives for returned men in the. hospital | absorbed £94 10s. Mrs. Claude Weston had accepted the position of official visitor to the military patients in hospitals, and would report to the sub-centre. Thanks were also due to Mesdames Pearce and Wilford in connection with the Copper Trail, which proved throughout New Zealand so great a success, inasmuch that for the present the sick and wounded returning in great numbers are provided for, and it is no lohger necessary to make collections on their behalf. Through the Copper Trail treasurer (Captain H. A. Stratford) the sum of £4483 was forwarded to headquarters, including: "Our Day" collection, £1947 12s 7d; Miss Clifford's recital, £26 14s 6d; Bell Block concerts, £B3 13s 6d; Okato Choral Society, £6O; Hillsborough children's ball, £25 8s 6d, and other lists brought up to the total named. Subscribers to the society contributed £293 8a 9d, £72 in advance of last year, and 'they were notified that their contributions were no longer needed for Red Cross work, and may be discontinued. The balance-sheet showed receipts totalling £0677 Bs, and the expenditure £6325 7s sd, leaving a balance at the National Bank of £390 19s. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet the president thought it was highly gratifying that such a position should be disclosed, and it was also gratifying to notice the manner in which the society had been supported in its work. Concerning the future, he asked whether the meeting desired that they should go on, elect new officers, or let the present officers remain in office,

Rev. Harvie and Mr. Cutfield both spoke in appreciative terms of the splendid work done by the officials during the past year, and a resolution proposed by these gentlemen, "that the present officers continue the carrying-on of the society's work," was carried.

The Ven, Archdeacon Evana, in moving a hearty vote of thanks to the officials and others engaged in the work, paid a special tribute to the work of the ladies, The work of the Red Cross Society was a noble duty, and he knew of no other work that would touch the hearts as duties of this description. Messrs. Gibson (secretary) and Newman (treasurer) acknowledged the vote Mr. Gibson stated that the work had been genial to him, as he had had generous assistance whenever required. He thought the ladies deserved special commendation, as the amount of work they 'had accomplished was remarkable. The president, in acknowledging his reelection, also paid a tribute to the ladies. Dr. Leatham said the ladies had done a tremendous amount of work in various directions, and were deserving of all their best wishes. The Rev. Blundell also added his tribute to the society's work, particularly that of the. ladies.

Apologies were received for non-attend-ance from the Hon. Oliver Samuel and the Mayor (Mr. C. H. Burgejs).