PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1919, Page 3

PATRIOTIC COMMITTEE.

ANNUAL MEETING, i The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Patriotic Committee was hold last night, theije being present: the Mayor (Mr C. H. Burgess) in the chair, Mrs Burgess, Messrs W. J. Chaney, C. E. Bellringer, C. Carter, J. R. Hiil, J. Paton (treasurer) a,nd L. M. Monteath (secretary). The annual report stated that the past year had been a strenuous one in consequence of the men returning from the front in large and frequent draft. For the year some 479 men called at the committee's rooms for assistance towards the purchase- of clothing, ete., and in nearly every case assistance was granted. In addition to these grants the chairman had disbursed for comforts to the in-patients of the New Plymouth Hospital, such as cigarettes, matches, tobacco, fruit/ eie, £159 16s 4d. and paid by cheque for miscellaneous grants authorised by the Taranaki War Relief Association to soldiers and their dependents a further sffm of £544 4s 4d. There had been in addition, remitted by cheque to the various associations and committees throughout the Dominion a sum of £l5O 2s as refunds of grants made to men on our behalf by those bodies. Bv the end of December next, nearly the whole of the forces should have reached the Dominion and the work hereafter will be materially lightened. Another dutv would now devolve upon the committee in the investigation of claims from totally and partially disabled men for a share in the distribution nf a very generous grant about to be made bv the War Relief Association, also to look into and report and make recommendations on applications for assistance from soldiers and their dependents. The report coneluded witb a reference to the large amount of gratuitous and useful work performed throughout the year, which was much appreciated by the men for whom it was done.

The treasurer's statement showed the receipts, including a balance of £l+4 Or JIL , TOUg,,t forwar 'l' have been £929 18s sd. The balance in the bankwas £47 17s 3d.

The report and balance-sheet were aaopted.

After some discussion it was decided to elect a committee of five to carrv on the work of the society, and the follow'n&we« fleeted; Mes9rs °- H - B «rgess. C. K Rellnnger, W. 3. Chaney, and C. Urter, and a representative of the K.S.A.

The Mayor then referred to the work of many of those who had been associated with the committee in its work He mentioned the work of Messrs Chaney and Bellringer, the former having practically parried the burden of | the committee's local work, in interviewing applicants for assistance, the working having been verv heavy durin" the past year, and the latter had done a great deal of useful service as representative to the War Relief Association and his work was not represented merely by his attenaanee at meetings Mr Burgess also eulogised the work of Messrs Monteath (secretary) and 1 aton (treasurer). He also 'sai ( l the t..ank* of the committee was due to the staff of Burgess.. Fraser . Ltd for the way they had helped the Women's Patriotic Committee. They had" given time day and night to getting roods away for the soldiers But for them the work would not have been done 1 hey made cases, packed them,' carted and shipped them, and they should have credit for what they had done Mr Burgess said his personal thanks were expressed to those who had helped him at the railway station on the occasion of farewells to soldiers. In this connection he specially referred to the services of Archdeacon Evans and also to the Citizens' Band. IT O a lso mentioned the services rendered by-the press and moved that the thanks of the committee should 'be, expressed to those ho had mentioned.

Mr C. Carter seconded the motion saying that the committee had been particularly well-officered.

.Mr J. R, Hill also spoke to the motion, and said the town owed Mr and Mrs Burgess a deep debt of gratitude for what they had done during the war. The motion was carried. Mr Bellringer, in expressing his appreciation of the Mayor's remarks also moved a vote of thanks to Mr and Airs Burgess. As Mayor and Mayoress they had given their services unsparingly to the work on behalf of the community J hey had spared neither money no,- e'f. fort. No douht the tow-, would take means to fittingly recosmiso fc services of the Mayor and "Mayors but the committee nhotsld ~:a.;e on lycoi'd its appreciation of the services of Mr and Mrs Burgess to the work of the Patriotic society. The motion was carried with <ir-,-lama-tion.

The Mayor said he was very thankful for the expression of appreciation. Mrs Burgess and he had done what thev did because they could do nothh" else for the men and the war. Th«ir°po*i. toon had given them i-c opportunity and the nght. and they would not have been doing their duty if they had not done ,t Mrs Burgess had really done * f 6 "* Jeal-more than he had done, f?.f if i"?' h "£ the samß distance that he had. The amount of correspondence she personally handled was really wonderful. She did not, however, regret any time she had given hj, the interests of the soldiers. At a subsequent meeting of the new committee, Drs. Walker and*Wado were nominated to act as medical examination officers under the Taranaki War Relief Association in connection with applications for gTanta for totally or partially disabled men.

Various grants were authorised, and recommendations made to the War Relief Association in respect to others.