PATRIOTIC FUNDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 November 1939, Page 5

PATRIOTIC FUNDS

BAND AT TRENTHAM CAMP NEEDED PROVISION FOR AMENITIES AND COMFORTS. APPEAL FOR DISTRICT DONATIONS. “The Wellington Provincial Patriotic f'oiuicil held its first meeting on Friday. October 27. when there was a representative gathering' from the whole province. (’hairineii of Ihe various zone commitlees I hi'oiighoul the province were appointed authorised collectors on behalf id' the Provincial Council and the whole machinery is now ready for an organised drive for funds for patriotic purposes,” stales Mr T. .Jordan, convenor of the .North Wairarapa Zone for the Wellington Provincial Patriotic Fund. Mr Jordan is also depuly-ehair-maii of the Wellington Provincial Patriotic Council.

“This drive is commencing today when the chairmen of all zones, in conjunction with their organisations throughout the province are making a simultaneous appeal for funds for the Wellington Provincial Patroitic Council. All monies raised will be paid into the funds of the Provincial Patriotic Council, and will be administered by that council for patriotic purposes. "Careful consideration was given to the immediate requirements of the troops in camp. In this’connection we had the advantage of having present with us Colonel Hargest. who had made a personal inspection of the camps and his advice as to the requirements of the troops is of the greatest value, not only on account of the inspection that he had made, but also on account of his wide experience in the last war. and since then in military activities generally. "At the present time, while the troops are in camp in New Zealand, and before they go overseas, their needs may be divided into three main headings. First, there is no band at Trentham Camp. A band is essential. All those who have experience of camps and of campaigns know the great value which the troops place on a band. Not only does the band provide music in the evenings, but it accompanies the troops on route marches, plays them into camp, plays them off the parade ground, plays at reveille and generally keeps the troops in good heart. Funds are needed to purchase instruments in order that a permanent band may be established at the camp and one of the first purposes for which the funds subscribed will be used is for the provision of instruments for the band.

“The next matter is the furnishing with various amenities of the recreational hut being built at the camp. This hut is designed to be a place of recreation and social gathering for all troops in camp, and it is desired to provide funds to furnish it comfortably so that it may be a place of pleasant and friendly gathering for the men.

"The next purpose is to build up the nucleus of what is known as the Regimental Fund. This is a fund administered by the commanding officer of the regiment, and is used for the purpose of adding to the comforts of the troops by supplementing in various ways the ordinary supplies and equipment provided for the men. Such a fund as this in the last war was responsible lor making it possible to give the troops many necessary comforts which otherwise it would not have been possible for them to have. “The fund is equally necessary now and we arc anxious to start it off as soon as we can. We therefore now appeal to our fellow countrymen and countrywomen throughout lhe Wellington Province to send donations of money to the Provincial Patriotic Fund. Donations can be sent to any of the mayors or chairmen ot local bodies in the province or may be left at the office of this newspaper, to swell the fund. I am sure that the opportunity now given to help the men in camp in a practical and useful way will be readily embraced. “As time goes on there will be a wider scope for employment of funds and for activities generally but at the present time the three matters referred to viz, the band, the furnishing of tire recreational hall and the building up of the Regimental Fund are the most urgent and lhe ones which the troops desire to be dealt with at this stage. The chairman of the Wellington Provincial Patriotic Council. Mr Hislop, will give a broadcast appeal in connection witli the fund at 7.15. tonight.