EX-SERVICEMEN'S CORNER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 198, 21 August 1943, Page 8

EX-SERVICEMEN'S CORNER

PENSION APPEALS BOARD SITTING IN AUCKLAND The Pensions Appeal Board is at present sitting in Auckland. It has been dealing with claims for two weeks and the calendar is likelv to extend over several weeks. Numerically the appeals are average, but a noticeable feature at this sitting is the preponderating number of claims from men who have taken part in the present conflict. In a total of 45 claims heard last week only seven were from the last war. Claims are made by men ranging over I the Auckland Province and it has been noticed that many attend the sittings without the assistance of advocates, with cases only partly and generally inadequately prepared, often with unsatisfactory results to the board and the claimant. The bulk of the cases are presented on behalf of claimants through the R.S.A. by Mr. R. G. Mason. The association has always shown a sympathetic attitude, towards pensioners and has authorised the secretary to prepare and present the case of any claimant without qualification of membership of the R.S.A. and at this sitting a number of cases have been advocated by Mr. Mason on behalf of home service men who cannot become members and also on behalf of men of the fighting forces of to-dav who have not joined the R.S.A. Other R.S.A. branches also make liberal use of the services of Mr. Mason on behalf of any members who have claims to make and it is seldom that a sitting takes place without a claimant being assisted from the Waikato or Whangarei branches. The R.S.A. is desirous that it should be known that the services of its organisation and its officials are at the disposal of all men who have served their country, irrespective of the branch or the nature of their service, in connection with pension matters and It is urged that claimants should contact the secretary at headquarters in time to allow careful preparation of their cases for the allotted sitting of the board.

, The pledge given by the association that assistance would be available to men when in camp, when overseas and on their return has already been fully implemented in the number of pension claims presented, and in the first week of the present sitting Mr. Mason acted as advocate for five appellants from the home services. Claimants from country areas are particularly at a disadvantage in not having an opportunity of contacting officials acquainted with appeal board procedure and it certainly assists the board and trie claimant when preliminary preparations are made and evidence is in order for presentation. A short interview at R.S.A. headquarters can therefore be of great value. The appeal board consists of Mr. H. F. O'Leary, K.C., chairman, LieutenantColonel T. H. Pettit, and Dr. E. L. Fitzgerald. • ■-•■«► + + f GUESTS AT GREY LYNN FURLOUGH MEN ENTERTAINED To the number of 93, servicemen on leave from the forces and relatives were entertained by Grey Lynn Club at a banquet and social in the clubrooms. The function proved one of the most enjoyable and successful in the history of the club. The toast to the guests was proposed by the president, Mr. Ted Rea, and Lieutenant Hogue suitably replied. A high-class programme of musical, instrumental and vocal numbers was carried through, after which dancing was engaged in till an early hour in the morning, excellent music being supplied by a naval orchestra. + + + + RAVENTHORPE DEPOT BOWLS FOR CONVALESCENTS The other night, through the good services of the Joint Committee of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross, a party of indoor bowlers visited the depot at Bombay and handed over a further two sets of bowls through Mr. Frank Harris' scheme. Raventhorpe now has four sets (64 bowls), and among its 300 odd patients has some very enthusiastic and skilful players. In their commanding officer, Lieuten-ant-Colonel J. Aitken Paterson, the depot has an idealist who is always planning for the welfare of his patients, and it is largely through his efforts that Raventhorpe is so well equipped with sporting and other gear that helps convalescence. RSA. WOMEN'S SECTION Much interest is being taken in the movement to form a women's section of the R.S.A., and since the provisional committee was formed the members have been actively engaged preparing a constitution and laying the foundations of the section. On Monday night in Lewis Eady Hall the organisation • will be formally launched, when a constitution will be submitted for adoption and the election of office-bearers and committee will take place. . The part that the women's .section can play as supplementing the work of the R.S.A. has been proved and acknowledged in other parts of the Dominion, and it is confidently anticipated that much useful service will be undertaken in Auckland when the new organisation comes into being. ♦ +:-,..+ + ATTENTION, ENGINEERS! Anxious inquiries are being made in the hope that information may be forthcoming from one of the N.Z. Engineers from the Middle East at present home on furlough. The relatives of Sapper J. G. Walsh, of the Bth Company, have not heard from him since last February, whereas "he was in the habit of writing regularly - and at times cabling that all was well. Any Digger from this unit who could in any way relieve the anxiety of relatives would be rendering a much appreciated service by 'phoning 61-883, Auckland.

ROUND THE CLUBS PROGRESSIVE REPORTS Avondale Ex-Servicemen's Club has been devoting most of its energies in recent years to raising sufficient money to procure new and suitable clubrooms. The building fund in 1939 stood at £69, while to-day it has reached the encouraging total of £996. A property on Layard Street has been purchased, and approximately £100 has already been spent on improvements. The proposed hall to be -erected at the rear of the property will be 60ft x 30ft, with supper room and other facilities. The membership at present stands at 156, with, in addition, a women's section, which has been most active in providing comforts for men overseas and entertaining soldiers' wives and mothers, besides playing a big part in assisting in functions to help the funds. The executive looks forward confidently to the whole-hearted assistance of the people in Avondale when a definite aopeal is made for funds to complete the memorial hall that is visualised as the new home of the club. MOUNT ALBERT FORGES AHEAD With the addition of 17 new members admitted at the last meeting of the executive, Mount Albert Club's strength now exceeds the 200 mark. The executive presented to a secial general meeting this week plans for comprehensive additions and alterations to the clubroom, including the use of a spacious compartment in the basement and adding a 30ft x 24ft billiard room. The estimated total cost of the proposed improvements, which have become urgent owing to the rapid growth of membership, including many men of the fighting forces of to-day, is £1400, with furnishings and equipment in addition.

The meeting , authorised the executive to make application for permission to proceed with the work, proposals for the raising of funds to be discussed at a general meeting in a month's time.

It was reported to the meeting that the ladies' committee had handed the club the sum of £100 derived from functions hold during the past four months. The announcement was received with loud applause, and the ladies were highly complimented and thanked on the success of their efforts.

The club's singles and rinks open bowls tourneys continue to maintain their high reputation from the point of view of standard of play and smooth running, and on several occasions it has been found impossible to accommodate all applications for entry. ♦'. + ■+ + war vets: allowance ROBBING PETER TO PAY PATJIi The toucning tones in Which the Government announced that an extra 1/ a week would be paid to recipients of the war veterans' allowance can hardly have yet been forgotten or the rush of sympathetic pity that accompanied it have died down. That 1/ a week was probably considered to be just the difference between penury and plenty. It gave the burnt out soldier the handsome sum of 32/6 a week. That shilling also symbolised much agitation and representation on behalf of old Diggers, who had manfully in many cases attempted to struggle on against gnawing suffering and continuous agony. And if the reward seemed to many but puny it was nevertheless accepted in a spirit of gratefulness. For several years past recipients of the allowance have been exempt from payment of the 5/ quarterly levy. Now it has been decided that this exemption should be withdrawn. This means that from the 52/ a year additional payment to war veterans, 20/ will be paid in the quarterly levy, leaving the Digger 32/ a year better able to meet the steadily rising cost of living. Surely magnanimous treatment. + + '+" + COMING EVENTS EDEN-ROSKILL.—To-night, cards, progressive 500; Tuesday, bowls, percentage fours; Friday, bowls, ladies' night; Saturday, cards, progressive 500. TAKAPUNA.—To-night, annual reunion, bright programme; Tuesday, club night, bowls; Wednesday, monthly meeting; Thursday, bowls, singles final; Friday, club night, bowls; Saturday, bowls, open, mixed. MOUNT ALBERT CLUB. — To-night, cards, flag 500; Monday, indoor bowls, members and partners; Tuesday, 7.45 p.m. sharp, R.S.A. Goodwill Cup, first section; Wednesday, indoor bowls, open drawn fours; Thursday, indoor bowls, members and partners; Friday, club night; Saturday, 2 p.m., R.S.A. Goodwill Cup; 7.30 p.m., indoor bowls open fours tourney, entries close Wednesday, August 25; library, Monday and Friday. ONEHUNGA R.S.A.—To-night, fortnightly dance, 8 p.m.; Tuesday, 2 p.m., ladies' knitting bee, comforts for Second N.Z.E.F.; evening, men's indoor bowls; general meeting members' outdoor bowling club, 8 p.m.; Wednesday, ladies' whist, 1.45 p.m.; evening, mixed indoor bowls, 8 p.m.; Thursday, outdoor bowling club, fortnightly dance; Friday, men's social evening; Saturday, mixed indoor bowls, ordinary draw, 8 p.m. AVOXDALE CLUB.—Tuesday, dance, Oddfellows' Hall; Wednesday, 500 afternoon and evening; working branch (soldiers' comforts); Thursday, women's section; entertainment wives and mothers of soldiers overseas; Friday, indoor bowls. Oddfellows' Hall; Saturday, members' night, club rooms, 7, Layard Street. TAMAKI ASSOCIATION. — Tuesday, women's auxiliary 500 night, Wayside Tea Rooms, 7.45 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday, indoor bowls, Parish Hall, 7.45 p.m. GREY LYNN CLUB.—To-night, indoor bowls open tourney, also progressive bridge; Monday, cards, whist; Tuesday, crib tourney; Friday, indoor bowls, open; Wednesday and Thursday, members only. REMUERA CLUB.—Tuesday, 7.45 p.m., members' indoor bowling, pins competitions; Wednesday, 1 p.m., women's auxiliary working bee; Thursday, 7.45 p.m., ladies' and gent's indoor bowling and brooches competitions; Saturday, August 28, 8 p.m. sharp, monthly smoko, members Second N.Z.E.F. on furlough especially welcome.