R.S.A. Presidential Election Result

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30406, 3 April 1964, Page 1

R.S.A. Presidential Election Result

Mr D. Barrett has been declared elected the president of the Christchurch Returned Services’ Association. This changes the result announced at the annual meeting of the association, on March 25, when Mi’ T. McCormick was named as the new president.

The secretary of the association (Mr F. Barron) said last evening that Mr McCormick was leading when the preliminary count was completed. Mr McCormick had been announced as the new president at the annual meeting on the provisional figures. He then led by six votes.

“The final count was completed yesterday afternoon. There were 1243 votes for Mr Barrett, and 1236 for Mr McCormick, giving Mr Barrett a majority of seven. This is the official result, and both candidates have been informed,” Mr Barron said. The two candidates sought the office of president on the

retirement of Mr A. S. Farrar. Mr McCormick had been vice-president of the Christchurch R.S.A. for four years and a member of the executive since 1959. He is still a member of the executive. Mr Barrett is a returned serviceman of two world wars. He has been a voluntary welfare worker since his retirement from the Social Security Department. He is a Justice of the Peace. Mr Barrett became an executive member of the Christchurch R.S.A. in 1952. He was awarded the Gold Star badge of the N.Z.R.S.A. last year and its certificate of merit. He was awarded the Christchurch R.S.A. certificate of merit in 1951, and is a life member. Maori Welfare He has been a member of the benevolent committee of the Christchurch R.S.A. since 1952, and was its voluntary welfare officer from 1951 until he resigned in 1958. During the last two years, he has been an honorary Maori welfare officer in Christchurch, appointed by the Minister in charge of Maori Affairs. On three occasions, Mr Barrett has been the Canterbury representative on N.Z.R.S.A. deputations to governments concerning war pensions. He has been a member of the Canterbury provincial patriotic welfare council since 1951, and is in his third year as chairman.

He has represented the Christchurch R.S.A. on the State housing allocation committee since 1956, serving one term as chairman. He is also the local R.S.A. representative on Heritage, the National Society of Alcoholism and the Canterbury sheltered workshops committee. 4