THE RETURNED SOLDIERS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22245, 9 November 1937, Page 12

THE RETURNED SOLDIERS

SUCCESSFUL GOLF TOURNAMENT BIG MEMBERSHIP INCREASE So successful was the golf tournament arranged on Sunday by the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association that, at the meeting last evening of the executive, it was unanimously decided to make the tournament an annual affair. In presenting the report of the golf committee, Mr A. W. Mewton said that it was certainly the most successful of its kind ever held in Christchurch. “Men of outstanding calibre had attended,” he said. “A great many of them had not come in contact with the association previously, and it appeared to be a good method of interesting new members. He mentioned particularly the work of Messrs G. E. Hoffman, P. H. N. Freeth, J. B. McClymont, and S. J. Russell, auxiliary members of the special golf committee set up. Letters of thanks will be sent to the Christchurch Press Company, Ltd., for giving prizes, and to officials of the Avondale Golf Club for the use of its course.

“The most wonderful gathering of returned men since the war,” was the way Mr W. H. Darby described the day. The chairman announced a substantial increase iu the membership of the association. It had grown from 2159 on November 15 last year to 2650 yesterday. There had been an increase of 56 since last meeting, “We are hopeful of reaching the 3000 mark,” said Mr Leadley, reminding the meeting that later in the evening there were more than 20 more coming up for election.

The twenty-first anniversary committee had investigated the possibility of making life members of all who had been financial since 1918; but it was found that altogether 64 members met that requirement, and the committee felt that it would be doing an injustice to all the others if they elected so many honorary members. It was announced that Mr G. A. Hayden, a former president of the association. was coming to Christchurch to attend the twenty-first anniversary celebrations, which take place this week. He would present the illuminated address to the Mayor, Mr J. W. Beanland, on Wednesday evening, and would be present at the smoke concert on Thursday evening. The report of the employment officer showed that registrations remained about the same. The general assistance committee reported that a total of 151 applications had been received. Of these 148 were granted, two being deferred and one refused. Mr H. E. Denton reported that arrangements were in train for the annual picnic on January 29, at JVLotukarara.