MEETINGS & ENTERTAINMENTS

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 17, 20 January 1905, Page 3

MEETINGS & ENTERTAINMENTS

EMPIRE VETERANS' ASSOCIATION*.

The annual meeting of the Auckland Empire Veterans' Association was held last ni"ht at the Drill Hall, Rutland-st.. Capt. Dareney presiding over a large attendance of members. The Annual Report.—The fourth annual report. read- by the President, stated that the affairs of the Association were still in a very healthy couditiou. both as regarded membership arid finances. During the past year 32 - J had paid subscriptions, lib new members had been enrolled, and the Association had '.ost about 40 by death and retirement. The committee had been most assiduous in carryins out the details of tie Associations work, and in this matter they asked for the co-operation of tile members. A concert in aid of the funds lield in July, realised £S. and the second annual picnic of the Association, held on December 22nd, was a great success. The committee had pleasure in reporting a credit balance of £:« 12/2, with one small outstanding account. Through the influence of Captaiu Archer and other members, employment had been fonnd for a number of veterans during the year. The parades during the year had included thef uneral of Captain R. Kenrieh. a church parade at Government lloush pa May - -i 2. presentation of a farewell address Ranfurly on May USth. a parade flpo a W* de - parture. and a parade on July l.>th to receive the new Governor, Lord Pluuket. who congratulated Captain Daveney upon.- the excellent turn out. The new colours,,were unfurled at this parade, which was attended by 200 veterans. Lord- PlnnCe,! had kindly conseAed to become patron :j «f the Association, iir George Savers had kindly preseuted 500 copies of his poem,..entitlfd "The Veterans of To-day," be distributed among the member* 'TSte-ardu-ous and responsible duties Of "huifcfcifiy secretary had been kindly undertaken*i>y Mr James Stichbury. J. P.. with great zeal and perspicacity, nnd the Association owed its vigorous health for the past year to Mr Stichbury's ministrations. The report "concluded with acknowledgments of the services rendered to the Association by Messrs H. TVrijrg and C. B. King (.auditors), C. Hesketh itreasurer). W. Thorne. Colonel Davies, C.8., and the officers of the Association. Captain Daveuey referred with regret to the departure of Lord Ranfurly. who had the welfare of every old soldier at heart. He initiated the Association, and since he had gone to England had written twice to the speaker expressing the hope that the members would pull together to sustain it. He had ■written to Lord Ranfurly asking if he would sign the Association's certificates' of membership as a memento of himself. The report was unanimously adopted, and the balance sheet, which was also approved, showed that the year 1904 commenced with a balance in hand of £1S G/7. Subscriptions totalled £44 1/6. and donations 19/8, a total of £64 11/11. The balance In hand at the end of the year was £3-"> 12/2. Election of Officers.—The following officers were lected: Hon. treasurer. Mr Charles Hesketh: hon. auditors. Messrs 11. Rijrg and C. B. King; hon. secretary, Mr James Stichbury; committee/ Majors Harris and Schofield, Capt. Small. Messrs W. 11. Churton, Vf. Over. W. Thorne. A. Brock, G. J. Culpan. and C. B. King. Motto and Certificates.—Lieut-Colonel Morrow, who had prepared an artistic certificate setting forth all the actions iv which the members of the Association had taken part, moved that the Association adopt as its motto, "PrUtinae Vhtutis Memores" (mindful of former glory). This was adopted, and Lieut.-Colonel Morrow was heartily thanked for the designing of the certificate. BRASS BAXD. At a largely attended meeting of the quarterly board and bandsmen of the Methodist City Mission last evening the final arrangements were made regarding the formation of a combination of from 30 to 3-j brass band players under the instructorship of Mr George Cater, bandmaster of the Federal Band whieS toured the colony with marked success some years ago. Already there are some twenty applications for the band. It was decided to make an appeal to the friends of the Mission for a subscription in aid of the fund for carrying through the project.