RALLY TO R.S.A.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 97, 24 April 1940, Page 5

RALLY TO R.S.A.

MEMBERSHIP RISE. AUCKLAND ACTIVITIES. SUCCESSFUL TEAR RECORDED. "The finances of the association are in a sound position, as a perusal of the balance-sheet and the various trust accounts will show. The membership roll stands at 3575, as against 341G in 1939, an increase of 159, and only a fewshort of the record membership of 3005 in 1938. This is very different from the total of 1023 in 1931, and shows that interest in the association is not waning." This statement is included in the report of Mr. .T. W. Kendall, president of the Auckland U.S.A.. which will be presented to the annual meeting in the Lewis Eady Hall on Friday night next. Dealing with the Canteen and Xational War Funds, the president says the allocations from both were again lower this year. The grant from the Canteen Trust Board was £1308, as against £1951 in 1939. and the Xational War Funds allocation was £051 10/, compared with £1073 in 1939. Representations have been made urging that the grants for next year be not decreased any further. It should be explained that the Canteen grant has been reduced to £">OO per month for the Dominion, whereas it was previously £750 per month.

• "We have had fewer applications for relief this year, as there has been less unemployment and the social clubs have had the same experience. Nevertheless, there has been a larjre number of claims made on the relief funds and the claims committee has had plenty to do in] attending to and relieving cases of] hardship. Some families have been in real distress, and in addition to help from the ordinary relief funds a number of special grants have been obtained from the Anzac Commemoration Fund and Ex-Imperial Poppy Day Fund. Special orders were issued apain last Christmas, and tiereby a large number.

of families were enabled to have some real 'Christmas cheer' that they would not otherwise have enjoyed. #

Visitation of Hospitals.

"The various hospitals have been regularly visited by the hospital committee throughout the year. One group has attended the Mental Hospital every Saturday, and another group the General Hospital on Sundays. The president, together with voluntary helpers, has been visiting the infirmary, whilst the Panmure-Mount Wellington Club very kindly attends the Knox Home at Panmure. Cigarettes, sweets and other comforts are distributed to the best extent the funds will allow, and we appreciate very much the valuable monetary assistance that we receive from the Auckland branch of the Great War Funds Administrative Council. The monthly grant from that body lias been increased to £40, and in addition it grants £5 per mouth for patients at Tokanui Mental Hospital. Te Awamutu. Altogether the sum of £080 1/10 lias been expended by the association this year for comforts for ex-servicemen in the various hospitals in our territory.

"We have to thank our gaol visi-cr.j [Mrs. J. Webster, for her regular visits, to 'Mount Eden Gaol. She distributes coni-j there and gives advice and assistjance to any returned men—fortunately ithe number is small—both during their [prison terms and afterwards. j

Muriwai Property. i "All this year two men have oeen; working on the property under Xo. IS] Scheme. A good deal of fence repairs' jand cleaning has been done as well as; draining and general improvements. ,Owing to the outbreak of war it was jdecided to postpone the eommun-tv housing scheme for the time being. The committee accordingly purchased fresh stock, including a pedigree Polled Angus ibull and the property will now be used :to rear cattle. Horses and have also been purchased and this work jwill proceed as rapidly as possible. I "The sum of £127 15/6 has beenj received in response to the apj>eal for| jfunds to erect one or more cottages, as lance of this scheme, too. but we will 1 itGeorge Richardson. Most of this sum represents donations by branch asso :*- Itions from all parts, of Xew Zealand. sn<l J by social and kindred bodies in Auck |land. llie war has affected the further j

ance of this scheme, too, hut we will be glad to accept donations from member* in the meantime. "A fair amount of work, of a permanent and casual nature, has been secured during the year. Activities in this direction are somewhat curtailed as most work is now arranged by employers through the Placement Office. We have succeeded in obtaining positions in the various wet and dry canteens. Any members who have had experience in this class of work may leave their names and addresses at the office as frequent replacements in the canteens are necessary. Our social clubs have given us loyal support. They have assisted in distributing relief amongst their members in necessitous cases, but all clubs jhave reported a decrease in the number |of applicants. Those, however, who hive required assistance, have been really meedv cases."